[RE-wrenches] Tax Deductible RE Donations

[Michael Welch]

Well, I must toot my own horn a bit.

Redwood Alliance has been the recipient of a couple used RE equipment donations in the past. But we are pretty much lined out (except we need a 20 watt system for a mesh network radio). What we do with other RE equipment donations now is to turn them into funds via eBay.

Joel  Davidson wrote at 06:54 PM 8/7/2008:
 
>Most state solar incentive programs are limited to new equipment. I don't recall if used equipment qualifies for the federal tax credit. Perhaps someone on this list can advise.
> 
>Some good people who can use new and used equipment are the Rahus Institute <http://www.rahus.org/>http://www.rahus.org/ and Solar Energy International <http://www.solarenergy.org/>http://www.solarenergy.org/
> 
>Any others?
> 
>Joel Davidson
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: <mailto:allan at positiveenergysolar.com>Allan Sindelar 
>To: <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>'RE-wrenches' 
>Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 9:10 PM
>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Tax Deductible RE Donations (inspired by InverterforSwitch to GT)
>
>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 I wouldn't want to install a system with outdated hardware with an unknown history.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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