Very simply, why not?

There are many reasons -- stop or slow global warming; reduce your carbon footprint; and reduce reliance on fossil fuels from foreign interests, to name a few. We think those are all good reasons.

Our favorite?

Save money.

Let's review...SAVE MONEY.

In Texas, it is a simple matter of economics. If the electricity for your home or business is provided by a utility company that offers incentives for the installation of renewable energy systems, you may be eligible for a rebate, offsetting a substantial percentage of the system cost. For example, CPS Energy in San Antonio has an incentive program through which it will rebate a maximum amount of $10,000, or 50 percent, of the system cost. Austin Energy will rebate the lesser amount of $13,500 or 80 percent of invoiced cost for homeowners, and businesses may qualify for the lesser amount of $100,000 or 80 percent of invoiced cost.

Texas today is one of the states that provide the greatest financial incentives for solar power generation.

Saving money with a renewable energy system is as easy as:

1. Install a system and qualify for an energy utility-funded rebate (you could also qualify for a Federal income tax credit of as much as $2,000 for installation of a solar electric system, and as much as $2,000 for installation of a solar water heating system);
2. Save money each month by generating electricity and decreasing your expenditure for utility-supplied electricity; and
3. Generate more electricity than you require and, with a "grid-tied" system, provide electricity to your local power grid and watch your electric meter spin backward.

Texas utilities also offer rebates for energy efficiency measures and solar hot water systems.

But wait...there's more. The Texas property tax code allows an exemption for property tax increases due to the installation of solar or wind powered devices used primarily for generation and distribution of thermal, mechanical or electrical energy for on-site use, and for devices used to store that energy. The appraisal district cannot tax you for the increase in property value attributed to your installation of renewable energy systems.

How significant is that? According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home values increase by an average of $20 for every $1 by which the annual utility bill is reduced.

On top of it all, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a 30 percent federal income tax credit for as much as $2,000 each for the installation of solar electric and solar water heating systems.

Why renewable? Why not? Why not now?

Gilded Renewable Energy...saving the environment, one wallet at a time