Do sailboats qualify for energy tax credits? i.e. solar panels, wind generator. I know that houseboats qualify.
graysailor7.com
graysailor7.com
energy tax credit
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Houseboats do not qualify by virtue of being a houseboat. I believe the same rules apply as for sailboats. Depends on the use of the boat (primary residence, secondary residence, etc) as well as the type of the system (grid tie, standalone, passive, active, etc).
Also; Is the goal to see if a system you already want can be credited, or is the goal to find systems that are eligible and then choose? If I were you I'd call manufacturers or vendors and ask until you hear the answer you want and they have the proper text to back it up. Might as well place the burden of proof on them since it is their specialty product.
Here is a simplified Energy Star guide on this subject.
Also; Is the goal to see if a system you already want can be credited, or is the goal to find systems that are eligible and then choose? If I were you I'd call manufacturers or vendors and ask until you hear the answer you want and they have the proper text to back it up. Might as well place the burden of proof on them since it is their specialty product.
Here is a simplified Energy Star guide on this subject.
Yes, you can get credits if you meet the criteria listed in this publication: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf. Boats are boats, no matter whether the prefix is "house" or "sail." To qualify, it must be a home in which you lived during part of the year. That means that it's got to have a head, and that you stayed on board for at least a couple of nights. It doesn't have to be your primary home, just "a" home. (It's similar to the application of the mortgage interest deduction criteria for it being a second home). I plan to use the deduction, and although it doesn't look to be a HUGE credit, every little bit helps!
doing the math on a spreadsheet here, with a few assumptions on properties, on a single 5x 12 plastic frame portlight (gray industries).....most of those will meet the u-factor and total loss numbers to qualify if the polycarbonate is over 3/16 in thick. larger portlights may need to go to 1/4" . If you are using the SS frames..... The window would have to be much thicker.
regular 1/2 polycarbonate hatches/doors would meet the specs. A new electric hydronic heating hotwater system might. This would be allowed in a second home.
photovoltaic/windpower systems might have different aspects tho. most solar systems are set up to drive 12/24 charging systems and in the past when I have tried to get those approved, there has been reluctance from SNOPUD to take the the excess power.( Or issue the generator certificate). and any system would need a lot of manufacturer documentation of an engineers analysis to prove they meet the requirements.
(however the IRS is even less qualified to determine whethere a given system meets local fire, electrical, nmea codes.)
so I would probably build and buy first if it was close to cost effective and worry about the tax mertis secondly
They (The utilities) are far more likely to inspect and accept your generating capacity if it is 3 phase or sourced from a rotating generator. (they dont trust small electronic voltage regulation and the controllers for the small gen site systems) your marina might be the same. Also, most of us do not have the boats as the primary residence which is an absolute requirement for solar electric panel qualification for the tax credit.
regular 1/2 polycarbonate hatches/doors would meet the specs. A new electric hydronic heating hotwater system might. This would be allowed in a second home.
photovoltaic/windpower systems might have different aspects tho. most solar systems are set up to drive 12/24 charging systems and in the past when I have tried to get those approved, there has been reluctance from SNOPUD to take the the excess power.( Or issue the generator certificate). and any system would need a lot of manufacturer documentation of an engineers analysis to prove they meet the requirements.
(however the IRS is even less qualified to determine whethere a given system meets local fire, electrical, nmea codes.)
so I would probably build and buy first if it was close to cost effective and worry about the tax mertis secondly
They (The utilities) are far more likely to inspect and accept your generating capacity if it is 3 phase or sourced from a rotating generator. (they dont trust small electronic voltage regulation and the controllers for the small gen site systems) your marina might be the same. Also, most of us do not have the boats as the primary residence which is an absolute requirement for solar electric panel qualification for the tax credit.
Thanks to all for the response. I was not really seeking a tax credit, but if I can get one why not take it. Lord knows the crooks in Washington are taking enough of our money.
In cruising down to Mexico I discovered I was running my genset way to much. Just thought a little solar and wind power might help out. Am in the process of installing wind and solar here in La Paz. Thanks again for the info.
In cruising down to Mexico I discovered I was running my genset way to much. Just thought a little solar and wind power might help out. Am in the process of installing wind and solar here in La Paz. Thanks again for the info.
I'm not a tax expert, but I think the first question on the IRS form is important. The operative word here is "main home". When I first looked into this, I was told "second homes" don't count. Better talk to a tax pro first.
Were the qualified energy efficiency improvements or residential energy property costs for your
main home located in the United States? (see instructions)Hi Ron and everybody,
I thought I'd clear this up once and for all. I have spent A LOT of time reading the tax code and tax credit literature on this, as I will be taking the credit for 2010 for my solar installation and windpower upgrading on my boat.
First, it does not have to be your main home. That first question leads to confusion, but it applies to energy efficiency upgrades, not to solar- and wind-power installations. It applies only to Part One. The solar and wind credits are in Part Two. If you read further on the form I hot-linked above, you will see at page 4:
Qualified solar electric property costs. Qualified solar electric
property costs are costs for property that uses solar energy to generate
electricity for use in your home located in the United States. This
includes costs relating to a solar panel or other property installed as a
roof or a portion of a roof. The home does not have to be your main
home.
property costs are costs for property that uses solar energy to generate
electricity for use in your home located in the United States. This
includes costs relating to a solar panel or other property installed as a
roof or a portion of a roof. The home does not have to be your main
home.
Qualified small wind energy property costs.
Qualified small wind
It is clear that the credit can be applied to a second home, and this is done in Part Two. And there is no minimum number of nights that you must sleep at your second home for it to qualify as a second home. Nor must you provide any complicated information as to the efficiency or benefit of your newly installed components. The form lays all of this out. Just read the entire form, fill in the blanks, and get your credit.
Fair winds, following seas, and tax credits,
Paul
energy property costs are costs for property that uses a wind turbine to
generate electricity for use in connection with your home located in the
United States. The home does not have to be your main home.
generate electricity for use in connection with your home located in the
United States. The home does not have to be your main home.
It is clear that the credit can be applied to a second home, and this is done in Part Two. And there is no minimum number of nights that you must sleep at your second home for it to qualify as a second home. Nor must you provide any complicated information as to the efficiency or benefit of your newly installed components. The form lays all of this out. Just read the entire form, fill in the blanks, and get your credit.
Fair winds, following seas, and tax credits,
Paul
Thanks Paul, I agree with you. That is how I read the instructions. Just wanted the feedback of others.
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