Sax Macy Fromm's Renewable Energy Advisory Group

Sax Macy Fromm's Renewable Energy Advisory Group was both a sponsor and presenter at New Jersey NAIOP's Solar and Renewable Energy seminar held on October 13, 2010. The keynote speaker for the event was Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Chairman of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee. The assemblyman as one of the architects of New Jersey's Energy Master Plan provided a perspective on the legislative initiatives that impact energy policy and specifically renewable energy in New Jersey. Assemblyman Chivukula fielded question from the engaged audience.

The session continued with three panels presenting important issues in the involving area of renewable energy.

The first panel discussed choosing the right solar system, whether to purchase the solar system or enter into a power purchase agreement, expected return on investment and provided a case study from a developer’s perspective.

The next panel covered the business aspects of a renewable energy. George Livanos, Director of SMF's Renewable Energy Advisory Group was a member of this panel. They discussed the important Federal & New Jersey tax incentives including, Federal depreciation, Federal tax credits, solar renewable energy certificates (“SRECs”) and the various ways to structure a solar energy project. The all important topic of financing opportunities was covered as well.

The program concluded with a panel discussion regarding critical considerations, including net metering, roof and structural considerations including warranties and insurance.

New Jersey is one of the leading states in the renewable energy arena. The landscape has become very populated with a number of organizations offering solutions to a highly changing and complex area.

Sax Macy Fromm's Renewable Energy Advisory Group is available to assist businesses through the myriad of alternatives available through this ever changing landscape. Our group represents solar integrators, owner/developers, tenants and investors. To date our renewable advisory group has assisted businesses, not-for-profits, municipalities and investors in structuring, financing and securing the Federal and New Jersey incentives associated with their renewable energy projects.

Stuart Berger, CPA
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Posted: 10/25/2010 12:49:29 PM | with 4893 comments
Filed under: Energy, Fromm, George, Livanos, Macy, NAIOP, Renewable, Sax, SMF, Stuart, Berger

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Comments

	Hann
	This answer is not as silpme as which one is best There are many factors that would largely be based on geographical Location. For instance it would not make much sense to install solar energy collection systems in areas that too far north because they simply do not get enough direct sunlight to be viable. Likewise placing a wind system in an area where sustained winds are rare would do no good. The other thing to consider is where are the consumers for the energy located in comparison to the locations of the energy system. Placing large wind farms in the Dakotas ( two of the states with the largest wind sources in the nation ) really doesn't do the nation any good because you cannot transport the energy very far. The neighboring states is about all the further the benefit would reach. The same goes for placing large solar collection stations in Arizona or Nevada. You could power nearby cities but you really can only transfer the energy so far.That is based on large scale energy collection systems. If you are interested in something residential then it is a different story.Currently the best of the 3 options may surprise you it is GeoThermal. But not geothermal energy production merely usage. If you were to install a Ground-source heat-pump in your home you would save up to 70% on the energy you currently use. These systems are proven and have been around a long time. The price range is reasonable NOW unlike other options. Prices can range from $2500 + for install depending on the situation and if you need to tear-out an existing system. The land usage is underground so you just need space to have a crew come in and dig. The unit would pay for itself in savings within a few years. Total amount of energy that the system would save is much more than the amount it takes to put the system in place (thus giving it a smaller Carbon footprint). Even though this system does not produce energy it uses existing energy and greatly reduces the amount of energy that a residence requires.Photoelectric solar panels are very inefficient and very expensive to produce. The amount of energy that it takes to produce a solar panel is actually MORE than the amount of energy that the panel will be able to produce within it's lifetime. ( given an average lifespan of the panel and current technology ) While the panel may save YOU money and energy, it costs the enviroment more energy than it can recoupe.A Wind system costs less in money and energy to produce than solar but still has some of the same draw backs. Both systems require battery banks and extra wiring systems before something could be used. Wind and sun are both non-consistent sources so days when the sun is weak or the wind is down you receive no benefit.All three systems are currently only supplimentary at best. We don't have the technology to use any single source by itself completely. Solar and Wind both require better energy storage techniques to suppliment days of low production. Geothermal heat/cooling systems still require another source of energy. Solar systems need to become much more efficient before they are truly viable except for providing power in very remote locations.In terms of providing large scale benefits to the masses using industrial sized verions of these energy sources we need to find ways to transport energy over greater distances with better super-conductors or microwave technology or something new.currently I would list the three sources in order of energy benefit in this order.geothermal Wind Solar
	8/10/2012 10:07:25 PM