We are your Green Alternative
Harvest clean energy from the sun for your business!
Solar Benefits
- Earn a great return on your investment
Solar systems aren’t an expense, but rather one of the best ways you can invest your money. Once the solar is paid off you will see a return on your investment rivaling traditional stocks and bonds.
- Protect yourself against energy inflation
Over the past ten years, energy prices have gone up an average of 3% each year. By investing in solar energy now, you can fix your electricity rate and protect against unpredictable increases in electricity costs.
- Increase your property values
Multiple studies have found that buildings equipped with solar energy have higher property values. As business owners become more educated about solar, demand for properties with this technology continue to grow.
- Boost U.S. energy independence and stability
By increasing our capacity to generate electricity from the sun, we can insulate our country from global energy fluctuations and provide a more stable energy grid. - Protect the environment
Solar is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. A typical residential system can eliminate three to four tons of carbon emissions each year, and commercial properties can have an even greater impact. This is the equivalent to planting 100 trees annually. - Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability
Businesses with “green” credentials are viewed as socially responsible, creating goodwill and improving businesses.
Financial Incentives
26% Tax Credit
In 2008 a tax credit program was introduced to encourage individuals and companies to invest in renewable energy. That program provides a 26% tax credit on all qualified, renewable energy projects, which is very attractive for those of us who pay taxes.
Check out our video where we explain the 26% tax credit that is available if you purchase and install solar this year!
USDA Grants
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) financial assistance to purchase and install renewable energy systems to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in the United States. These grants provide up to 25% of the overall project’s cost. Together with the loans they provide, the combined grant and loan could fund up to 75% of the total project’s cost. Add the 26% tax credit and the financial aspect of your installation will immediately become even more appealing!
Net-Metering
Most of us are not familiar with utility policies beyond knowing that your utilities send you a bill every month for what you use. The more you use the more you pay. But understanding the rules of connection becomes more important when you add solar energy production to your property.
Check out our 2 minute video to learn about net-metering.
MACRS Depreciation of PV Systems
The Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) is the United States’ tax depreciation system. This tax deduction allows for businesses that install solar energy systems to decrease the time it takes to pay off their system’s equipment. Most businesses can use this tax deduction over five years.
There is also a bonus depreciation system that allows for faster depreciation and therefore encourages solar PV investment.
LEARN ABOUT THE MACRS AND THE BONUS MACRS
Operations and Maintenance
When your company makes a significant investment in solar, it is important to maintain up-time and functionality. While solar includes no moving parts and hardware is covered by long warranties, any failure could lead to loss of energy production from system down-time, and labor cost for warranty work can be accrued.
Contact us for more details.
To stay ahead of failures, GAI provides Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support in many forms:
- Online monitoring and analysis
- Periodic mechanical and electrical inspections
- Thermography
- Manufacturer-recommended preventive maintenance
- Documentation and report generation
Design
Commercial projects require more than just a quick sketch-up of a standard-sized array. A GAI design starts with energy analysis and can include layout, building load analysis, and generation of permit package drawings. We work with your facilities or construction team to integrate the solar design into the overall project design and implementation schedule.
Planning a solar component at your facility? Contact GAI.
Examples of GAI Commercial Projects
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- Installed in 2018. Windfall, IN.
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- Installed in 2015. Indianapolis, IN.
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- 65 kW on a multi-family dwelling, Indianapolis, IN.
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- Installed in 2017. Greentown, IN.
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- Installed in 2016. Indianapolis, IN.
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- Installed in 2018. Wakarusa, IN.
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- Installed in 2016. South Bend, IN.
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- Installed in 2015. Kokomo, IN.
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- Installed in 2016. Indianapolis, IN.
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- Installed in 2013. Muncie, IN.
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- Installed in 2016. Cincinnati, OH.
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- Installed in 2011. South Bend, IN.
