[RE-wrenches] Tax Deductible RE Donations (inspired by Inverter forSwitch to GT)

[Allan Sindelar]

We would never donate PV equipment to charity, Joel. I would guess that most
organizations wouldn't know what to do with this stuff. Pretty soon somebody
discovers it (at a church rummage sale?), buys it cheap and tries to put
together a cheap and funky system with major safety issues. I wouldn't want
to install a system with outdated hardware with an unknown history.
 
We keep a periodically-updated sale flyer with descriptions of used
equipment. Typically I (as the old fart specializing in off-grid here) will
suggest something we have in the shop to a prospective customer on a budget.
Since they're looking for guidance as well as a good deal, I can generally
make up a safe and complete system using a package of used stuff. Everyone
benefits.
 
Sometimes I even install it. Just today I completed installation of a
Code-compliant (for tax credit eligibility) system package that we first
installed elsewhere six years ago. The former clients brought in grid (to
run an electric kiln; she's a potter) and rewired the array to run a Sunny
Boy when the batteries died. The new owners saved several thousand $$, as we
resold the entire BOS at 55% of original price. New array, rack, and
batteries; reused SW4024, T240, PSDC, SB50. TM2020, even cables,
interconnects, and internal wiring. We charge regular rates for
installation; the client saved on labor as we reconnected existing wires,
previously carefully disassembled.
 
We will generally sell equipment we replace on consignment; very little goes
unsold, given enough time. Our consignment schedule (worked out over many
years) is part of our general Rates and Policies:
 
Resale and Recycling of Used Equipment

We often remove serviceable used equipment when upgrading a power system. We
will resell this equipment for you if you request it, according to the
following terms:

.        No "blue book" exists for solar components. We will estimate a
reasonable resale price based on our experience and intuitive fairness.

.        We sell on consignment, and while we may predict an item's resale
appeal, we won't guarantee when or if it will sell.

.        We will resell for you only specific component hardware items.
Wire, conduit and fittings, electrical equipment, etc. will be reused or
recycled, but will not be sold on consignment for you, as the recordkeeping
becomes too difficult.

.        We will pay you when a resale is made according to the following
schedule:

o       Our base commission is 35% of the sale price excluding tax.

o       If you have bought a full system from us, our commission is reduced
by 10%. (This is quite common.)

o       If the buyer of the component has bought a full system from us, our
commission is reduced by an additional 10%. (This is rare, but it happens.)

 

All materials that leave a jobsite in our truck will be sorted and reused or
recycled to the greatest extent possible. We recycle all standard household
recyclables as well as copper, brass, aluminum, steel, batteries, packing
peanuts, cardboard, and anything else we can reasonably keep out of the
landfill.

 

Joel, this has resulted in many happy customers over the years. The check
that shows up in the mail from us is seldom expected. I hope this helps.

Allan

 

-----Original Message-----
From:  Joel Davidson


Wrenches,
Following on comments about switching to grid-tie (or any other changes),
what do you do with modules, mounts, inverters, etc. that no longer serve
your clients' needs? Do you or your clients contribute the unneeded or
unwanted equipment to a charitable or non-profit organization that qualifies
the donation for a tax deduction? What are your favorite charities and
non-profit orgs (what churches, schools, etc.)?
Joel Davidson
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