Get Tax Credits For Energy Efficiency

Author: Esmeralda Redfield

It was already possible to get money (in the form of a tax credit) from the government when you made energy saving improvements to your home (like solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters etc)

Now president Obama signed a stimulus bill on February 17, 2009 (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. Basically you can get more money now, and do your part to save energy and keep our earth green at the same time.

In this hub I will collect links to government programs in all major countries, where you can find information on how much tax credit you can get, and how to apply for it.

For a thorough overview of Renewable Energy Solutions in general here's an excellent hub by BristolBoy.

Here's a page from the US government with loads of detailed info about tax credits on green home improvements.

US Tax Credits

There's also a bit (near the bottom of the page) about new regulations where you can get credits for green cars:

"Starting January 1, 2009, there is a new tax credit for Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, starting at $2,500 and capped at $7,500 for cars and trucks (the credit is based on the capacity of the battery system). The first 250,000 vehicles sold get the full tax credit (then it phases out like the hybrid vehicle tax credits)."

Seems like quite a nice stimulation for green energy AND the automotive industry at the same time. If you are thinking about getting a new car this might be cool to look in to.

In the UK you can apply for grants of up to £2,500 per building if you are installing approved systems to generate your own electricity. All requirements are explained on this page by the UK government:

UK Green Grants

Here is a link to an on-line directory of programs to promote green energy in Canada. It covers programs offered by the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, major Canadian municipalities and major electric and gas utilities and companies.

Canadian Green Cash

Of course they have more than enough sunlight downunder, so every reason to get a big solar panel on your roof!

The Aussie government came up with The Australian Government's Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP). Now that's a catchy title! :P Check them out here:

RRPGP (I got something stuck in my throat)

Well I think I have covered 99% of the western world here.. Nobody has an excuse anymore to not go a bit greener and have the government pay for it!

Let me know what you think, and if you know more resources for Tax Credits and other stimulation projects for green energy that I can add, please let me know!