Solar Energy System Design and Installation
Solar and Wind Energy Tax Credits
New Louisiana Tax Credit Effective January 1, 2008 Applies to residential and apartment projects. Covers solar hot water, solar electric, solar pool heaters and wind generators. 50% tax credit up to maximum system cost of $25,000. Allows multiple systems on same building, thus basically unlimited credit. Treated as overpayment at end of year and state writes check. No expiration date.
Existing Federal Tax Credit Residential covers solar hot water and solar electric. Solar pool heaters excluded. 30% tax credit with no maximum. Unused credit can be carried forward. Limited to one solar hot water and one solar electric credit in any tax year.
Commercial covers solar hot water and solar electric. 30% tax credit unlimited. Tax credit basis can be increased by developmental and financing costs. Unused credit can be carried forward. Accelerated 5-year depreciation on 85% of tax credit basis.
 Because Louisiana has adopted net metering, a solar electric system can be connected behind the customer's meter to reduce their electric bill. With net metering, Louisiana citizens with solar electric systems can take full advantage of all the energy they produce.
Standard net metering solar electric systems, without emergency standby power, are currently priced between $8 to $9 per watt. Thus, a one kilowatt (kW) system (1,000 watts) will cost between $8,000 and $9,000. To produce all the energy for an average house will require about 9 kW. Systems with emergency power capabilities require additional equipment and a battery bank and typically cost between $9,000 and $10,000 per kW.
In south Louisiana, a one (1) kW solar electric system installed on a south facing roof will produce an average of 110 kWh per month or 1,320 kWh per year.
 Given their lower cost and higher output, solar hot water systems are generally more cost effective than solar electric systems.
There are many different technologies of solar hot water heaters. The most appropriate solar hot water technology for Louisiana is known as active, indirect drainback. These systems are efficient, durable, safe and generally require little maintenance. In addition to collectors on the roof and a storage tank, these systems include a heat exchanger and controller to monitor and limit water temperatures.
Solar hot water systems vary greatly in cost. A high output system that will produce 90% or more of your hot water needs will generally cost in the range of $6,500 to $7,500 per house.
The high output solar hot water system described above can be expected to produce the equivalent of 2,600 kWh per year or approximately 3-4 times the energy output that would be expected from an equally-priced solar electric system.
 In typical residential settings, solar pool heating is generally considered the most cost effective application of solar energy. Solar pool heaters are large black plastic mats installed on the roof and connected into the plumbing of your pool pump.
As a rule of thumb, the area of collectors installed on the roof should equal 50 to 75% of the surface area of the pool. Most solar pool heating systems have an automated controller installed on the main pool actuator valve and controlled by temperature sensors on the roof and water line near the pump.
Solar pool heating systems typically run between $6,000 and $7,000 and with the Louisiana tax credit can have payback periods of less than two years, depending on usage.
 We custom design and install solar water pumping systems. Pumping water is one of the most common uses of solar energy in the world. It is often possible to connect DC pumps and motors directly to solar panels.
These simple systems work automatically when the sun shines and are often less expensive than running electrical service to the pump site.
 We design and install custom engineered, stand-alone solar outdoor lighting systems for emergency, remote and outdoor advertising lighting applications. These include street lighting, parking lot lighting, billboards and advertising signs.
In many applications, it is less expensive to install solar lighting than it is to run electrical service to the site. Additionally, solar lighting is not affected by power outages.
A typical system consists of one or more solar panels, a controller, a high-efficiency DC light, a waterproof outdoor rated enclosure and a battery.
A top quality, reliable system will generally cost in the $2,000 to $3,000 range, depending on the power of the light, the quality of the battery and the number of hours per night that it is expected to operate.
Byrd Energy Solar Energy Demonstration Vehicle
 The Byrd Energy solar energy demonstration vehicle has working solar hot water, solar electric and solar
outdoor (street & parking lot) lighting systems. The solar electric system features both standard PV
panels and the new adhesive thin film panels. The exhibit also has a functioning solar water pumping
demonstration and a solar pool heating demonstration. It is equipped with a 500-watt sound system and
has fully functional sleeping quarters, bathroom and shower in front. As a special feature for kids, the
vehicle also features a solar oven in which kids can bake cookies.
Byrd Energy will perform solar energy demonstrations for civic, church and school groups as time allows.
To schedule a demonstration, call Wade Byrd at (225) 955-9233.
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