Join Us At the Semi-Annual Virtual Energy Forum June 24-25, 2009

Join DJH Construction at the next virtual energy forum June 24-25, 2009.
The Virtual Energy Forum is a free conference that brings together stakeholders in the energy industry with potential customers, policy makers, and investors. The event, which meets twice a year and features live video presentations, real-time Q & A and a virtual exhibit floor, answers the need many senior executives have today--to better understand how to implement renewable and cost-saving energy-efficient practices in business.

The conference meets entirely online, making it time and cost-efficient to attend from the convenience of any computer, offering a greener way to gather.

The Virtual Energy Forum features . . .
• Live video keynote presentations from renewable energy and sustainability thought leaders.
• Get your questions answered by these experts in real-time!
• Live video track presentations feature case studies in industries such as consumer goods, healthcare, government, education and retail.
• Browse a virtual exhibit floor featuring product & service solutions from energy innovators.
• Chat live with exhibitors or other attendees and exchange contact information.

DJH Construction representatives will be present for the following webcasts:

"Solar Energy: Understanding the Deal Components"
"Embracing the Renewable Energy Future"
"Sustainable Capital Planning"

To signup or for more information on this forum, visit: http://www.virtualenergyforum.com/

The Solar Energy Council of the Inland Empire Elects Don Harris of DJH Construction, Inc. To the Board of Directors.

Today, the Solar Energy Council of the Inland Empire (SEC-IE) elects Don Harris, President of DJH Construction, Inc. to its board of directors. Established in 2008, SEC-IE is the solar energy trade association of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. SEC-IE is comprised of more than 100 solar energy installers, manufacturers and purveyors of solar related equipment, services and technology. The mission of the council is to help provide a platform to educate the solar workforce and increase public awareness about alternative energy. The Solar Council provides a regional focus for training, professional development, study, and exchange of information among its members, the public, other professions, and government. Don Harris will play a key role in the education advisory committee to help raise public awareness of solar and promote sustainable regional economic welfare through job creation. “DJH Construction is proud to take part in the solar initiative led by SEC-IE to bring about solar awareness to the Inland Empire. Councils like this are critical to the Inland Empire’s future energy plans and its commitment to renewable energy resources,” said Harris.

Striving in a Tough Economy

DJH Construction, Inc. has delivered a proposal to a orange county non-profit organization for the installation of a 570 kW solar photovoltaic system. The proposal valued at over $ 4.5 million dollars, will reduce the customers utility usage by 30%, producing over 871,977 kWh's a year. The project is said to have the potential to be one of the larger solar installations in Laguna Hills, CA. DJH Construction, Inc. is in talks with investors and Power Purchase Agreement companies that would possibly help provide the necessary financing to help this community go GREEN. Because the host customer is a non-profit, both entities are researching for investors to partner up with and provide the necessary financing to bring this project to fruition. Don Harris, President and CEO of DJH Construction, Inc. was quoted saying," The opportunities are there to make these deals come together, but where's the financing?. We have the ability to create jobs and yet we are still wondering why the banks will not see the value in these types of projects where the customer wants to save money, help the environment, and is spending the money on high cost energy already." A 4.5 million dollar installation would quality for a 1.5 million dollar grant and be eligible for almost 1 million dollars in rebate incentive from the utility as well as it would be eligible for accelerated depreciation with a 50% bonus in the first year. These type of incentive are wonderful to make deals happen if the financing can leak out of the banks vaults.

What Business Owners Should Consider Before Investing In Solar

Commercial buildings use approximately 40 percent of energy consumed in the United States today, so increasing the efficiency of buildings is one of the most effective ways to lower energy consumption, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. The last blog entry focused on the financial incentives for a residential solar system with the implementation of the Renewable Energy Grants (REG). We decided to provide a similar comparison for a 50kW commercial system to show business owners how they can capitalize on the REG. The assumptions of this comparison are:

1. PV System located in Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
2. Type: Commercial
3. Size: 50 kW
4. Utility: Southern California Edison (SCE)
5. Federal Corporate Tax Rate = 34%
6. State Corporate Tax Rate = 8%
7. Note: Calculations do not take into consideration time and value of money

Below is a table summarizing the results:



The difference in the ITC versus the REG is still greater on commercial systems as it is on residential. In our hypothetical analysis it is almost a $5,000 cost difference. The estimated cost per watt including utility rebates, grants, and depreciation bring the net cost of the system down to less than $3.00/watt.

Please note: Interested businesses should consult the federal tax code and/or a certified public accountant or tax attorney to determine exact eligibility and provisions of the incentives described above.

DJH Construction, Inc. Announces the Completion of a 19.44 kW Residential Solar System in Santa Ana, California.

SANTA ANA, CA., February 18, 2009 - DJH Construction, Inc., an Orange County based solar integration company, announced the completion of a 19.44 kW residential solar photovoltaic project in Santa Ana, California. This project is an excellent example of how DJH Construction, Inc. leveraged it’s unique engineering and design capabilities to coordinate the planning and management of this complex installation.

The 19.44 kW solar system was completed in January of 2009 on the residence of Jeremy and Sandy Kaslow. The photovoltaic system ties together a total of 90 photovoltaic panels onto over 1,530 square feet of roof space. The estimated annual production of this solar system is 29,144 kWh, providing almost 100% of the Kaslow’s electrical usage. The environmental impact of this system is a reduction in green house gas emissions by 500 tons of CO2 over the life of the system (25+ years). The reduction in green house gas emissions is equivalent to planting 19,996 trees or driving 1,694,576 miles in a small car. In addition to the utility savings, the Kaslow’s will receive a rebate check from their utility company and a 30% tax credit. “We are pleased to provide a quality installation to our clients and assist them in taking advantage of incentives that will provide long-term financial benefits,” said, Don Harris, President of DJH Construction, Inc.

Continued support on the Federal and State level for solar will help facilitate integrating renewable energy solutions on more homes and businesses. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into legislation the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - a stimulus bill that proposes to provide additional incentives to those seeking to invest in renewable energy. A key highlight to the recovery bill is the renewable energy grant that provides grants equal to 30 percent of the cost of the solar system. This program will be administered by the Department of the Treasury and is in lieu of the section 48 investment tax credit. In a recent interview, Harris said, “We are excited that the solar provisions in the stimulus bill will pave the way for the United States to become a leader in incorporating solar energy as a standard. This bill will help fuel the economy with jobs and growth amid the economic downturn. We look forward to the changes and are grateful to be a part of this rapidly growing industry."

Solar and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the Economic Recovery Legislation. This bill marks a historic milestone within the solar industry and proposes to create 60,000 jobs in the solar industry in 2009 and a total of 110,000 over the next two years.

Three key points to the bill specific to photovoltaic and thermal solar are:

1. Renewable Energy Grants
2. Repeals Penalty for Subsidized Renewable Energy Financing
3. Remove Limits on Solar Water Heating

The renewable energy grants is a new program administered through the Department of Treasury that provides grants equal to 30 percent of the cost of solar property placed in service during 2009 and 2010. This grant replaces the section 48 investment tax credit. (Div. B, Sec. 1104, p. 38)

The bill also repeals the penalty for subsidized renewable energy financing. This allows businesses and individuals to qualify for the full amount of the solar tax credit even if projects receive subsidized energy financing (e.g. below market loans, tax preferred bonds, state grants etc.). This amendment shall apply to periods after Dec. 31, 2008. (Div. B, Sec. 1103, p.36)

The stimulus bill also removes the $2,000 monetary cap on solar water heating, providing a full 30% credit for qualified solar water heating property (Div. B, Sec. 1122(a), p. 46). Qualified solar water heating property is defined as used for a purpose other than heating swimming pools and hot tubs. In addition, the credit may be claimed against the alternative minimum tax.