NEWS RELEASE

FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDITS: NEW ENERGY BILL ENCOURAGING USE OF SOLAR

FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

The new Energy Bill signed by President Bush will go a long way in encouraging people to take a good look at Solar for their homes and/or businesses. The 2005 Energy Bill provides a new 30% Solar Tax Credit for Residential installations up to$2,000.00 per system. The Energy Bill has also increased the 10% existing Business Tax Credit to 30% for the next two years for the installation of Solar (Domestic or Building Service) Water Heating & Electric (Photovoltaic-PV) the most common solar applications.. The Energy bill is expected to spur the installation of numerous Solar Technologies for Power Generation and Water Heating.

"Many Solar applications are cost effective today when evaluated over the system lifetime and should be given serious consideration with or without the Tax Credit" said Henry Healey, president of Healey and Associates, a Merrit Island Florida Energy/Engineering Consultant. The way energy costs are rising-Solar is getting more Cost Effective every day.The Tax Credit just adds icing to the solar cake, a good deal, that helps "Preserve Planet Earth", prepay a good portion of your utility bill at a fixed low rate, and move the user closer to independent living.

Healey said, "the recent hurricanes we've experienced here in Florida have many folks considering all kinds of energy alternatives-Solar should be given a hard look". When we lost power during the recent hurricanes my family continued to have hot water (PV Powered Solar Thermal System) and some homes with solar electric (PV) systems simply perked along quietly with electric power provided by the sun. Adding a generator is an option many are considering today, but owning a generator creates a built in maintenance, noise and fuel problem. A Photovoltaic system on the otherhand, silently produces power without fuel or maintenance issues to worry about. Everyday, the sun delivers energy directly to homes and businesses throughout the world-all we need to do is install the equipment nessesary to capture and use it-the energy is, and always will be, free! So far we're not running out of sunshine and every day the sun seems to return. I like that!!

Years ago, Healey & Associates developed a solar educational program aimed at the business community to help business and industry leaders identify ways their companies can save money by using Solar Energy while helping preserve the environment. This "Solar Saves" program was distributed to Rotary Clubs throughout the state by Healey & Associates. The Program was developed with the support of the Florida Energy Office and Central Brevard Rotary Clubs as part of Rotary International's "Preserve Planet Earth" program. Now, the Program is being updated and will be made available to other Clubs, Schools and non-profit organizations for use in their eductaional and environmental outreach efforts.

"The advancements we have seen in the past twenty-five years show that solar energy is a cost-saving, non-polluting energy source that can be adapted to many different uses," said Henry Healey, the Rotary Club member who developed the program. "Why spend money for fossil fuels when you can use the sun, Florida's most abundant resource."

Healey, an expert in the applications of solar systems, has been involved in the design, installation and operation of hundreds of commercial, institutional and industrial solar projects which have proven the viability of the earth's most abundant resource -- sunshine-- to reduce expenses while helping preserve the environment. He developed the Solar Saves program to educate the business community, a virtually untapped market, on the benefits and cost savings of solar power in the commercial and industrial setting.

The program includes an electronic presentation along with handouts that provide information on solar applications, what they cost, sources of help and information, fact sheets, and information on the Investment Tax Credit for Residential as well as Commercial & Industrial (for Businesses) solar projects. The program package is available to Rotary Clubs as well as other civic and business organizations throughout the state. Experts from the local Rotary Clubs or the solar industry are also available to speak on the various aspects of solar applications.

Information on the Solar Tax Credit, and the rules and guidelines that are presently being developed is available from the Solar Industry Association (www.seia.org ) or the Florida Solar Energy Center (www.fsec.ucf.edu). For more information on the "Solar Saves" program, contact the Merritt Island (Breakfast) Rotary Club, or Healey & Associates via this website.