Tag Archives: Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Hello, sunshine!

Written by Lynn Hartzell, Nebraska Home Sales Realtor,
Contributor, Lincoln Journal Star Lifestyle Magazine

I have to admit, there was a time in my life when I heard someone talking about Alternative Energy and I would roll my eyes. I had had a long career at a local public power company working in the power plants that produce energy with coal, diesel fuel and natural gas. They all worked pretty well, and I saw no reason to mess with success. But in 2015, my wife and I did some investigating and found that the price of solar power for residential use was coming down quickly and made financial sense. Continue reading here.

Links to Solar & Small Wind Energy Incentives & Nebraska Energy Office Loans

Federal Investment Tax Credit for solar systems and small wind turbines: 30% to December 31, 2019. Small wind: 100 kilowatts or less. Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)

Additionally, LES customers may qualify for a one-time capacity payment of up to $1,000 per kilowatt of peak demand reduced. The total amount customers can receive is determined by the system size and primary direction the system is facing, for example:

  • Southern facing fixed-photovoltaic solar – the unit’s nameplate DC capacity (kW) x $375.
  • Western facing or single or dualaxis tracking fixed-photovoltaic solar – the unit’s nameplate DC capacity (kW) x $475.

Source: Customer-owned Renewable Generation

Business Equipment Depreciation Resources

Recognizing the Contributions of Nebraska Businesses to our Local Energy Economy During National Small Business Week

April 29-May 5 is National Small Business Week. The event provides an opportunity to highlight the contributions to our local energy economy made by Nebraska businesses that have invested in solar technology and have helped to grow the number of clean energy jobs in our state.

The twenty-nine businesses and farms featured in our “Solar Examples” in alphabetical order, from the Beller Farm near Lindsay to the Total Manufacturing Company’s office in Lincoln, vary in size, but all of them are setting inspiring examples for others in their communities and in our state.

As some of the owners have expressed in newspaper and broadcast media interviews, their decision to “go solar” is also benefitting them and their families, reducing energy costs in their business or farm operations, while also protecting the environment where they live and work.

There has never been a better time for Nebraska businesses to invest in solar energy systems. Taking advantage of available incentives, rebates, grants and equipment depreciation can cut the cost by half or even more. Below, are links to information sources, which can also be downloaded as a PDF here.

Photo: MSS Enterprise Near Cozad, Nebraska

Solar Energy Resources for Nebraska Businesses

Check out our Directory: Nebraska Solar Businesses

Incentives & Rebates

Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) – Federal Incentive: Currently 30%

Lincoln Electric System: Customer-Owned Renewable Generation Rebate Program
Southern-facing fixed solar: $375/kW-DC of nameplate capacity
Western-facing fixed solar: $475/kW-DC of nameplate capacity
Single or dual tracking solar: $475/kW-DC of nameplate capacity

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants & Loans

Small businesses in eligible rural areas and agricultural producers, both rural and non-rural, who have at least 50% of their gross income coming from agricultural operations, may apply. Check eligible business addresses. REAP grants provide up to 25% of the total project costs, and a grant and loan combination up to 75%. Eligible projects include renewable energy systems and the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements. See REAP Fact Sheet for a complete list of eligible projects.
Nebraska REAP Program
Jeff Carpenter
Nebraska Rural Development Energy Coordinator
Telephone: 402-437-5554
Email: Jeff.Carpenter@ne.usda.gov

Depreciation Resources

Loans

See “Solar Examples” for photos and descriptions of Nebraska businesses that are powered by solar.