One quick word about wind-generated electricity: Micro-turbine wind systems can generate electricity even more efficiently than PV when conditions are ideal. Those conditions include local wind power of Class 3 or better and the ability to install the wind turbine on a tower at least 30 feet high, in an area clear of obstructions for at least 300 feet in all directions. To check wind power in your area, consult the Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the U.S. here:

http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/

Clients Who Are the Best Candidates

Which clients are the best candidates for renewable energy?

Heavy electricity users – Start asking clients how much they spend on electricity. Manufacturing firms, farms, and residences of more than 4,000 square feet are good candidates. Average U.S. household consumption is 830 kilowatts per month, according to the Department of Energy.
People in disaster-prone areas – After Hurricane Wilma struck Florida, more than five million people were without electricity for weeks – and all that sunshine beating down! PV can be a viable back-up for utility electricity, sparing consumers the cost of buying generators and storing fuel oil. A reliable PV back-up system includes at least one industrial-strength "deep-cycle" battery for storage.
Swimming pool and hot tub owners – It is senseless to heat pools and tubs with electricity or natural gas when solar collector systems are so much more cost-effective and qualify for a 30% federal tax credit.
Seniors living on fixed incomes – Senior citizens can't do much about spiraling health care costs. But they can take control of their utility costs, especially if they live in Sunbelt states where PV power is plentiful.
Remote dwellers – PV systems with storage batteries make economic sense for locations that can't easily or economically be tied to the utility grid including vacation cabins, RVs, boats, ranches and farms.
Environmentalists – The financial benefits may matter less to environmentalists than personal contributions they can make to reducing CO₂ emissions and helping the ozone layer. According to the Sharp online calculator, the 4-kilowatt system illustrated in this article would eliminate 5,720 pounds of CO₂ emissions in the first year.

How to Get Paid

How can you earn a living helping clients evaluate investments in renewable energy? Three ways:

Direct fees – This makes the most sense if you are already a CPA or consultant who advises clients on complex financial and tax issues. Become familiar with the incentives available in your area and sell your technical expertise.
Cross-referrals – This may work best if you want to be the financial expert on a team that also consists of: 1) a tax specialist who knows the incentives; and 2) a renewable energy system supplier/installer. You can offer the other team members referrals to your clients in return for referrals to theirs.
Cash flow management – Help clients convert the tax-free income they are generating from electricity savings into long-term financial security. If a client can save $150 per month through a combination of a solar hot water heater and PV system, that's $1,800 per year that can be applied to a dollar cost averaging investment program or permanent life insurance premiums.

Clearly, this is an outside-the-box idea for a financial professional to offer today. But as the U.S. lumbers toward energy self-sufficiency, renewable energy will go mainstream eventually. At some point, consumers and businesses in your market will need help evaluating incentives, cost advantages and options.

Instant Insights /

How to Help Clients Evaluate Renewable Energy Systems

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