We are proud to announce our Sponsorship of Palm Beach County’s first ever Build for the Cure. The home is going to be built as a private residence and show home for the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The home will be used to raise funds for the Komen South Florida Affiliate, the largest grass roots initiative for finding a cure for breast cancer.

The home which is under construction will be located in the Ibis Country Club Community of Bent Creek. Abundant Energy will be contributing a complete solar energy system to the project used for water heating. There will be a ribbon cutting held on February 25th 2010 from 4:30-6:30pm and the project is expected to be completed by August 15th 2010. For more information about becoming a sponsor, making a donation or just taking at tour check out the website www.buildforthecurepalmbeach.com

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.  The South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has a service area of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. They partner with many local nonprofit organizations to help raise breast cancer awareness and provide much needed funds to serve our community and save lives. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s single largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to curing breast cancer at every stage — from the causes, to the cures, to the pain and anxiety of every moment in between.

Brian and Emily O’Mahoney believe firmly in solar energy. Earlier this year, they invested $57,000 in sun-powered equipment for their house in The Shores in Jupiter. That included a solar water heater, a solar electricity generating system with 26 photovoltaic panels and a solar-powered pool pump.

Photo by Richard Graulich - Palm Beach Post

Granted, most people aren’t willing to spend that much. But a solar water heater costs around $5,000 for an average-size house and saves 30 percent of the typical electric bill. The payback time is about four years. That’s how long it takes to recoup the money spent on the solar in savings on electricity.

“It’s insane not to have a solar water heater,” Brian O’Mahoney said. “Our water heater has been running off the grid since it was put in.”

The O’Mahoneys are reaping the benefits in the form of tiny Florida Power & Light Co. bills this year and for years to come. Their energy usage has dropped to an average of 29 kilowatt hours a day from 57 kilowatt hours a day.

Their lowest FPL bill ever was in May, a mere $39. July and August were the biggest, at $150 and $140. Before Abundant Energy Inc. in Jupiter installed the solar system, their average bill was about $250 a month for their 2,800-square-foot house.

The O’Mahoneys are slated to receive $30,000 in state and federal rebates and tax credits, Brian O’Mahoney said.

But for those homeowners tinkering with the idea of going solar now, the outlook is murkier.

Though this summer Florida received $14.4 million in federal stimulus money to provide rebates for solar electrical systems and water heaters, the fund was quickly depleted because of a backup of applications. There’s nothing left.

“That money was already spoken for, due to people in the queue going back to December 2008,” said Bruce Kershner, executive director of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association in Longwood.

The state had funded the program with $5 million in 2008, and with $3.5 million and $2.5 million in the two prior years.

Even if the legislature doesn’t find a way to fund the program further, new incentive programs are expected to be coming in 2010.

On Dec. 1 the Florida Public Service Commission ordered FPL and the state’s other investor-owned utilities to provide up to $24.5 million in incentives for solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems. FPL’s share is $15 million a year, beginning in 2010, but the utility has until March to file its implementation plan.

The program will cost customers, even those who do not participate, an estimated 18 cents a month, according to the PSC.

In addition, the Governor’s Energy Office expects to roll out a $10 million low-interest loan program, also with federal stimulus funds, for solar water heaters in 2010.

While people who purchase solar pool heaters don’t receive any tax credits, because it’s considered a luxury item, Kershner said the payback for pool heaters is that people can enjoy their pool more days.

“If you want to maximize use of your pool, figure out the best way to heat it,” Kershner said. “By far, heating with solar is most economical.”

Prior to 2006, the state had no rebate programs, and the federal government offered no solar tax credits. But pool heater installations was what kept the solar contractors in business, with about 15,000 sold each year.

Kershner cautions consumers looking into purchasing solar equipment to make sure they hire a licensed contractor by going to www.flaseia.org to see a list of licensed firms. All the organization’s members are licensed, Kershner said.

JUPITER FARMS, FL – If you’ve ever considered converting to solar power, now may be the best time to do it.

Bill Hoysradt, the president of Abundant Energy in Jupiter says, “I called it the sexy solar…it’s the one that’s got the buzz right now.”

That sexy solar is the photovoltaic system, and with everyone focusing on energy conservation these days Hoysradt says, “Right now would be the best time for someone to consider investing in solar. The products that are available currently are the highest quality products that have been available ever.”

Just one small panel can generate enough power to run your refrigerator every day.

Combine that with a solar water heater, replacing incandescent bulbs and proper insulation, and you’re well on your way to becoming nearly energy independent.

The solar systems cost around 18 thousand, and go up from there. But the state pays you a rebate that could put an extra 4 to 8 thousand dollars in your pocket. There is a federal tax credit of 30%.

Hoysradt says, “By the time the consumer gets to the net investment it turns out to be cheaper to own the equipment to generate the power than it is to buy the power on a monthly basis from FPL.” “If everybody had a little bit then the impact becomes enormous,” he added.

Solar Powered Office Condos

(STUART NEWS) — As the commercial real estate market continues to be soft due to the economy, one business is trying to pull in customers by going green using solar panels.

The Sawgrass Business Center, 1233 SE Indian St., may be the first such building in Martin County to add solar panels to all its leasing units in order to off-set electricity costs and bring in more customers.

“Rather than sit back and wait on the market, we are trying to bring the market to us by providing something that no one else has. That’s solar energy and attractive lease rates,” said Derrick A. Christenson, owner of Christenson Commercial Real Estate.

The business center has 14 units in total with 10 available units for lease going for $14.50 a square foot, gross. The units range from 1,345 to 2,373 a square foot.

Roughly 550 solar panels, which represent just over a 100 kilowatts of solar energy, will start going up next week, said Justin Hoysradt, vice president of sales for Abundant Energy.

“This project is a milestone, said Hoysradt. “For South Florida, there really isn’t any project similar to it or the size.”

Each office unit will have a different amount of solar energy available depending on how big the roof area is above the unit, said Hoysradt.

The average unit will produce 6 to 13 kilowatts of power, equaling $120 to $250 in electricity a month.

“Given the size of these units, the tenants may still have a little bit of a utility bill depending on what they are using electricity-wise,” said Hoysradt. “But, if you make more energy then you’re using, then you will get a credit on your electricity bill from FPL.”

Because most businesses are closed on weekends, the tenants could be receiving a credit on their bill for solar during that time. So if they go over their available solar power and use power from the grid during the week, then they start using up the credit, said Hoysradt.

The money for the project came from investors. Due to multiple units and investors, the grant they collectively qualified for is over $400,000 from the Federal Investment Tax Credit and the Florida Solar Energy Rebate Program.

“When it comes to green, homeowners are catching up on it and business owners are looking into it because people want to do business with green businesses,” said Hoysradt.

The Florida Solar Energy Rebate program which offers Floridians up to $20k for a residential solar (pv) electric system and up to $100k for a commercial system has been without any funding since July 2008 when it was last filled with $5 Million to cover the backlog of solar investors. Since then, the state of Florida has racked up another $5M in backlog of individuals and business owners who have invested in solar energy, putting their faith in the state of Florida to fund the program. So far it looks like their faith will pay off.

Pending Governor Christ’s signature to approve the budget the Florida Solar Rebate Program stands to be funded with $14.4 Million. This funding should allow for a sunny year in the state of Florida for residential and commercial solar energy programs.

Perhaps it’s coincidence, in a world were the word economy is looming, Floridians who have put their Faith in Christ may soon receive a great payoff and those who have been waiting to see if the funding will come back, may still get their chance.