Russell Mueller | Owner of Buffalo Solar LLC to grow too much because I like the idea of a small manageable company. I’m not out to conquer the world.
4 Which are some of the incentives, like tax rebates, to get solar-powered now? Until Dec. 31, 2016 there are both a 30 percent federal and 10 percent New Mexico state tax credit. Those are credits that are taken right off the top of your tax liability — 40 percent of the total up-front cost of the solar system will end up back in your pocket. The unused portion of the credit rolls over from year to year which means that whatever credit you can’t take one year will then apply to your tax liability the next year. Since the credits are set to expire at the end of 2016, however, it is unclear if excess credit from the 2016 tax year will roll over into 2017. There is popular support for these incentives; however, their renewal depends upon those in elected office. 5 What is going on in the Northern New Mexico solar market at the moment? Gov. Martinez just vetoed SB391, the extension of the New Mexico solar tax credit, despite strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Some people just don’t get it that renewable energy is how the future will be powered. 6 Is alternative energy still a niche market here? Alternative energy has played an important role in our region for years since there are many places where people have chosen to live around here that aren’t served by the electric grid. There were many solar pioneers in the Taos area in the 1980s. When I got into this field 11 years ago, all we did was off-grid work. That’s what I cut my teeth on. However, in addition to the off-grid market that’s still here, more and more people who already have grid power are going solar with net-metered systems. Over the last five or six years there has been an explosion of grid-tie systems being installed. Of course, my perspective is biased, but it feels to me that solar is getting mainstream.
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QUESTIONS BY TERESA DOVALPAGE | PHOTO BY KATHARINE EGLI
1 What products and services does Buffalo Solar offer? I offer complete design, installation, maintenance and repair services for residential and commercial grid-tie, off-grid, and battery backup solar electric systems. 2 What is your best-selling product or service at this moment? I am doing a good amount of off-grid work at the moment such as some repair and rewire work as well as the usual steady flow of battery replacements. I’ve got several grid-tie systems in the works as well. The majority of my work is residential.
3 What are your company’s plans for the future? I’ll be here for my customers, both old and new. I work to support the solar community in any way I can. I’m not sure that I want Buffalo Solar Enchanted Homes Vol. CIII •
7 What are your thoughts about the future of renewable energy in this area? We have such enormous potential for the growth of renewable energy in our state, both solar and wind. There is no question that it will continue to grow. How fast it grows depends upon government and utility policies. As an emerging market, renewable energy needs to be fostered. It is unquestionably the direction we need to head. 8 As the technology for renewable energy has developed, how have the prices changed? Solar modules (panels) have come down in price significantly. Back when I got my start in solar in 2004, modules were priced at $8 per watt. Now you can buy imports for around $1 per watt. That represents a significant price reduction for a solar system even though most of the other associated costs have risen. It is now a fantastic financial investment: it is very secure and with a better return than many other investments. Grid-tied solar systems generally pay for themselves in about ten to twelve years, and after that, you’ve got free electricity. 9 What is the most rewarding part of doing solar work? My customers. I consider myself very lucky in that the vast majority of my customers are very intelligent and kind people. I’m not sure why solar customers are so great, but I definitely think I chose the right career. To contact Buffalo Solar LLC, call (575) 770-4877 or email russ@buffalosolartaos.com
24 • All properties can be found at www.enchantedhomeseller.com