[RE-wrenches] Tax Deductible RE Donations

Fri Aug 8 18:18:09 PDT 2008

Yes. contributions to Redwood Alliance qualify for tax deductions. Also, 
giving equipment and services (education, training, consulting, etc.) to 
local churches, schools may qualify.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Welch" <michael.welch at re-wrenches.org>
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 11:21 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Tax Deductible RE Donations

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wouldn't want to install a system with outdated hardware with an unknown 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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