Filed under: CleanTech, Climate Change, Sustainability | Tags: Alternative Energy, Alternative Fuel, Incentives, IRS, Renewable Energy, Solar, Sustainability Practices, Tax Credits
As discussed previously in the blog, Section 48 generally allows for an investment tax credit for qualified energy property, which includes equipment that uses solar energy to generate electricity. Section 50(b)(3) provides that no investment credit, which includeS the Section 48 investment tax credit, “shall be determined . . . with respect to any property used by an organization . . . which is exempt from the tax imposed.” In the past, this provision has deterred investment into significant solar projects that involved various tax-exempt and governmental bodies. It also deterred tax credit investors from purchasing partnership interests in tribal energy projects owned by Native American tribes as they were thought to be ineligible to pass-through the investment credits to investors. (more…)
The Tesla Model S has garnered almost universally rave reviews by the automotive press and wide criticism from some politicians and some investment pundits. An on-line investment advisor recently uncharitably called the Tesla company “Solyndra on wheels.” So what’s next? While the Model S has been delivered in small numbers (a few hundred) to owners and has been compared to a Mercedes or BMW by the automotive press, Tesla is far from being a money-maker. In a bold move it has been showing preproduction versions and taking orders for an ambitious next model. This is the Tesla X – a large, versatile 7 passenger SUV that will be available with two or all-wheel drive and battery packs up to 85kWh in size. The four wheel drive is accomplished by having two electric motors – one in the back and one in the front. The Model S is extremely fast with just one motor. Tesla has not made any performance claims for speed or range. The Model S has been real world tested by a few automotive journalists who got about 235 miles out of a claimed 265 mile battery pack in a Model S.
The Model X has two interesting features. The motors and battery pack are very low down in the car and smaller than the drive train in a conventional passenger car. That should give the Model X a low center of gravity and good handling. From photos of the Model X it looks like the interior is quite large, another benefit of the drive system used by Tesla. The other interesting feature are fold up rear doors that that rise up over the car’s roof. How practical that will be in tight parking spots and garages is unclear. The only production car with the same sort of doors was a 1950’s hyper-expensive Mercedes sports car called the 300SL. In that case the doors were impractical and a bit of an affectation.
Despite or, perhaps, because of the austerity budget in Italy, Turin-based Fiat (Fiat, Ferrari, Maserati and Chrysler) has seen big growth in natural gas and propane powered cars. Sales of these passenger vehicles grew 90 percent (more…)
Filed under: CleanTech, Sustainability | Tags: Alternative Fuel, Cars, Renewable Energy
Recent press analysis has shown that at least two automakers may greatly benefit from the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (“CAFE”) rules that grant credits to natural gas and electric powered cars. (more…)
In what may be either a great prediction or wishful thinking, Bloomberg has reported that Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, the electric luxury car company, said in June that a Republican presidential victory in November would have a “minor impact” on electric car sales in the US. Musk did not comment on (more…)
