America is addicted to oil, fighting oil addiction in Garner NC (Part One) A few weeks ago we were paying over $3.00 a gallon for gasoline and then started hearing talk about other fuel sources and conservation. Now the price of gas has dropped a few pennies and we are back to the same old things. We can do better by making better choices and taking advantage of the alternatives. The price drop in gas is only going to last for a short while and then it will sky-rocket up again and this time it could reach and excede $5.00 a gallon. Now five dollar a gallon is bad for the average citizen, but it would put the other fuels in a better light. We can't wait for the bottom to drop or for the oil companies to play the up and down game with your future. Doing small things can help, like conservation, investing into solar technology. Not just stocks but adding solar power to your home here in Garner NC. Its not the only answer but it has many attractive benifits. Renewable: It harnesses the energy of the sun and never run out. Clean: There are no emissions, toxic or otherwise. Reliable: A solar energy system can operate for 30 yeays without major maintenance. Solar pays you back: On systems tied to grid, when extra electricity is generated, it can be returned to the electric company with the customer receiving financial compensation. It's like selling back to the electric company and you profit. For anybody who has ever considered installing a solar system, Washington is telling you to do it now," says Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington D.C. The new law increases tax credits for commercial solar installations and offers individual home owners a credit for the first time in 20 years. ( An earlier personal-use solar credit was in effect from 1979 to 1985.) Congress authorized the solar credits for only two years from Jan.1 2006 through Dec.31 2007 Home owners can put in a photo-voltaic (PV) system and or a solar powered hot water system, and get a federal tax credit worth 30% of the systems cost, up to a credit of $2.000 per system. However the heating system can't be used for a pool or hot tub. And the federal credit applies to the net cost after any state incentives. If you install both eligible solar systems in your home, you can knock $4.000 off your federal tax bill. And if you have more credit than you owe in tax, you can carry it over and use it to defray your next year's federal tax bill. Many states including North Carolina, are adding or increasing their solar energy incenttives. The subsidies include low-interest loan programs, sales tax exemptions, and property tax exemptions for additional property value due to the installation of solar equipment. In the meantime, the solar industry is preparing to lobby to extend the federal breaks beyond the two year window. Garner NC News Portal And Business Directory: www.garnernc-online.com

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