Demand for solar grants has soared

In a short time that solar energy grants have been boosted to genuinely attractive levels. You can even double-dip in Federal and State grants. Public interest in this money has soared to unprecedented levels.

All want to know how they can access government money for weatherization (home insulation), home heating and cooling, solar panels, wind generators, geothermal energy and so on. Others want to know where to find money to start up renewable energy businesses.

Home owners and renters, low-income group housing advocates, ethnic minority agencies, businesses starting up some sort of renewable technology product or service, want help to save costs and energy.

Why all these incentives?

Like all waves, the economic stimulus money, the renewable energy incentives, and green job promotion will subside. Therefore there is only a limited time that a wave surfer can enjoy the ride! To know where you are at on this green wave lets look at some reasons why these renewable energy incentives are there in the first place.

There are really only three reasons for government-sponsored renewable energy grants:

1 Economics

2 Economics

3 Climate change

Make no mistake! Economic stimulus packages really only include renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation because it benefits the economy first. Climate change reasons just make them taste sweeter.

Early in the development of solar panels and wind power, governments could see some future economic potential. But there was no big public lobby. And human-caused global warming was still a hotly disputed phenomenon. So, almost as mere lip service to an interesting trend the first tentative incentives surfaced.

But no-one was really pushed to act on them for as long as Peak Oil, global warming and economic downturns were not part of our everyday consciousness. Evolution of human nature most certainly includes a sizeable contribution by that of the ostrich. But now that most of us were forced to pull our heads out of the sand by economic realities politicians have finally decided that we must act.

Renewable energy costs are now on a par or catching up with Earth-choking fossil fuels so what better time for a global economic recession, as we still call it politely? We used to start up a big war to spend us out of such a mess but today we have “Climate Change”, public enemy number one. Green jobs, green homes, green cars, green toilet paper. Merely using more of these will get us through is the thinking.

Solar incentives are melting like glaciers

Why are these government incentives only here here to stay for a short time? Ironically it’s hot success that is the killer.

1) Success of grant schemes. Governments have spent so much on stimulating their economies that there is no money left to pay for incentives. In Australia we have already seen some incentives close early because the high demand for them made it unsustainable for government to keep funding them.

2) Success of renewable energy. As renewable energy, insulation, energy efficiency and conservation become viably established in the market place the need to artificially drive their demand evaporates. Result, turning off of government money taps.

These two reasons apply both to individuals and companies. Even if you are the clean coal lobby and chalk up US $150 Billion for a “clean energy fund. ” That also can only be a one-off.

Get your grant now or do without

The conclusion is simple. Governments will only be able to spend this green tidal wave once. After that it’s frugal living for a long time with no grants. Would you rather live through an extended recession while you have reduced your energy costs, or not?

What to do?

• Look at the stage that your government is in, in making renewable energy grants, and in the size of its debt.
• Does it have fresh schemes or long-standing ones?
• Look at closing dates and funding caps.
• Keep a close eye on subtle changes to conditions
• Most of all, research what you need and what is available in your locality

Go for it. Now!

Author: Erik Leipoldt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card