20 days left

We only have 20 days left to get that Consumers Energy Earp application turned in so that you can get excepted to participate in the feed-in tariff for solar power for residential only. So far I have one person planning on getting into the program.

You will be paid .259¢ a kWh of electricity that is produced.

Lets do the math:

I'm going to use a 12 panel system mounted on the roof.
Cost installed $14,900.00

30% Federal tax credit $4470.00

System cost is $10,430.00

System average production over a year around 300 kWh a month. $78 a month from the feed-in tariff. $936.00 a year.

Now divide the total kWh dollar amount a year by the system cost after the Federal tax credit.

Your system will be paid off in 11 to 12 years.

Solar panels last 40 plus years. The panels and inverters that I use all have 25 year warranties.

So what are you waiting for? Lets get you signed up and make it happen.

Another Consumers Energy Feed-in Tariff coming soon!

If you missed out on the last feed-in tariff you have another chance. Consumers Energy is going to start another residential program again first of next year or even by the end of this year. I was told that they could be excepting applications as soon as after the meeting in Grand Rapids on December 8th.

One thing to keep in mind the application needs to be submitted right away. I am currently starting a list of people that have an interest in doing this kind of project. You can contact me through my website. I was able to get three customers into the program last time, because we did their applications within that first week of being announced.

I will be attending that meeting and should have more information to pass a long as soon as I get back that day. You can either find it here on this blog or my company Facebook page

For more information about the Consumers Energy EARP here is a link to that website.

Second chance for a possible feed-in Tariff!

Well if you missed out on the first Consumers Energy feed-in tariff. You may have a second chance to get in on it. Granted the tariff cost will be a lot less then the first time but still better then a sharp stick in the eye.

The first time they were paying up to .62¢ a kWh for all the solar systems power that it produced. This time they will be paying up to 26¢ a kWh or low as .20¢ kWh for a solar systems power that it produces.

The Michigan Public Service Commission tells Consumers Energy to expand their solar program.
Here is the article that I first saw about this programs possible expansion.

The last time you had to apply to get into the program, which I am sure will be the same way again. Which it filled up fast, in less then two weeks time.

Once you were approved for the amount of solar you were willing to install you then had a year to install it.

The three customers that I had applied all got approved for the program. But I got their applications in right away.

I know personally I will be installing an array on my Beulah property as soon as the program becomes available to do.

I have a very reliable source that says it could be as soon as July. So if you are interested in having solar this would be a good time to make that happen. I am currently forming a list of people that would like to be contacted if and when this program becomes available.

You can email me at jdstrattonelectric@gmail.com or call me at (231) 715-1170 to get on that list. Don't wait because the program will fill up fast.

It's been a little busy lately.

I was talking to a customer the other day and he asked why I have not blogged in awhile. I told him that I have been a little busy lately and have not had time to do it.

So I have a little time this morning to share a few things that I have been working on.



I just finished up a 5kw solar system in the Kingsley area.
I am still battling with Consumer's Energy on how this is to be hooked up to the grid. Their diagram and the one that I submitted and was approved for, are not what they wanted. Now it looks like I have to redo the whole service.



I also have started another solar project in the Midland area which is with Consumer's Energy also. Which I am sure that I will have the same problem there also.







I have been giving out a lot of price on windmills and solar project. I have also been doing a lot of expos and shows. The next show will be August at the Buckley Old Engine Show.

That's all I got for now I hope to have links up for these solar project in the near future.

EARP update

I recieved an email today with the EARP Update. Here is what they had to say.

Consumers Energy has begun reviewing applications for the Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP). The company has seen significant interest in the program, receiving applications for capacity beyond the 2,000 kilowatt (kW) program cap.

As of Sept. 22, Consumers Energy has approved applications for 24 EARP systems, with a total capacity of 875 kW. Approved applicants will begin receiving approval letters within the next few days. Additional applications will be approved as new EARP processes are fully tested.

Consumers Energy is extending the installation deadline for systems to qualify for the $0.45/kilowatt-hour (kWh) nonresidential rate. This is in response to concerns expressed by solar photovoltaic system installers and developers regarding longer lead times for equipment to construct large-scale solar PV systems.

For nonresidential systems, the $0.45 rate will be offered to systems that are installed by May 1, 2010, for approximately 750 kW of DC nameplate capacity. If a portion of a project’s capacity will exceed the 750 kW limit, that project will be offered the rate that corresponds to the largest proportion of the project capacity above or below the 750 kW limit.

For example, if all applications approved for the $0.45/kWh rate total 700 kW, and the next application is 75 kW, the majority (50 kW) falls below 750 kW and the entire project would qualify for the higher rate. However, if the applications approved for the higher nonresidential rate were to total 725 kW, a 75 kW project only would qualify for the lower rate.

If projects approved for the higher rate are cancelled or fail to maintain their qualification for the program, the higher rate could be extended to the next project in the queue provided that a majority of its capacity falls below the 750 kW threshold. Projects involving new solar PV equipment will be considered “installed” for the purposes of the program once all equipment has been installed and inspected by local code authorities. Existing solar PV systems that will be modified to participate in EARP will be offered a rate based on their position in the EARP queue.

At this time, no changes will be made to residential rate deadlines. We will continue with the current deadlines of Dec. 31, 2009, for the $0.65/kWh rate and Dec. 31, 2010, for the $0.525 rate.



-- Posted from my iPhone

Consumers Energy EARP

I currently have a customer that is going ahead with this program. He is at the top of the list currently. He spoken with the people at CE the other day and they said they had a very limited number of people interested in this program. So if you are interested in doing this program lets talk asap, because we have less than 3 months to get it done and to take advantage of the $0.65 feed-in tariff. (231) 715-1170