Renewable energy continues to benefit from the convergence of several powerful trends: a growing consensus on the need to address global warming; political and regulatory moves that support the development of secure and non-polluting sources of energy; rising energy prices that serve to improve the economic fundamentals of alternative energy; growing evidence of successful renewable energy projects; and, burgeoning interest among utilities, investors, and end users.
The term "renewable energy" includes not only solar but also wind, geothermal and other non-polluting sources. Among the many subcategories of solar, "solar photovoltaic" has proven to be one of the most popular. One industry source suggests that solar photovoltaics (including modules, system components, and installation) will grow from a $15.6 billion industry in 2006 to $69.3 billion by 2016.
Several states have created a "renewable portfolio standard" or "RPS" that specifies the percentage of generation capacity that must be met using renewable energy sources going forward. These standards continue to play a major role in increasing utility demand for solar photovoltaic and other renewable sources of energy.
While most of the following examples apply to photovoltaic applications, there is an abundance of programs nationwide that offer financial and/or tax incentives for a wide variety of renewable technologies.
Visit our Rebate Report page for access to archived Rebate Reports. Past reports feature a variety of incentive types and programs, and include participation details and eligibility requirements, as well as contact information, links to rebate applications, and more.
Spotlight on Renewables - Solar Energy
Visit our Rebate Report page for archived Rebate Reports, featuring direct links to incentives, program details, rebate applications, and more.
NOTE: Incentives amounts are per sensor/control and intended for fluorescent lighting systems unless otherwise noted. Some revised state energy codes that require sensors/controls in new construction may preclude utilities from offering incentives for lighting controls in new buildings. *Sensor/control must control at least two ballasts **Sensor/control must control at least three ballasts ***Sensor/control must control at least four ballasts Minimum controlled wattage for sensor/control varies by utility and new vs. existing construction (see websites for more details)
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION — CA www.GoSolarCalifornia.ca.gov
PARTICIPATING UTILITIES:
Pacific Gas & Electric CA www.pge.com (415) 973-2510 solar@pge.com; Southern California Edison CA www.sce.com (800) 799-4177 greenh@sce.com; San Diego Regional Energy Offi ce CA www.sdenergy.org (858) 244-1177 csi@sdenergy.org CALIFORNIA SOLAR INITIATIVE. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS: Applicants must be customers of Pacific Gas & Electric,Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric. Systems must be grid tied and net-metered. Separate meters must be installed for reporting back to the program administrator. Applicants must partner with a California licensed solar installer. New construction or retrofit installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and all projects must be pre-approved prior to installation. Documentation must be provided to demonstrate progress throughout the course of the project. Proposed systems must meet the technical requirements outlined in the CSI Handbook. Eligible system sizes range from a minimum of 1kW to a maximum of 1 MW. Commercial customers will receive incentives of $2.50 per watt and will be eligible for additional federal tax credits.
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE AZ www.aps.com (602) 328-1924
SOLAR PARTNERS INCENTIVE PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS: The system must be a complete photovoltaic system with all new components. Commercial systems must be grid tied. Systems must be installed by an Arizona licensed photovoltaic installer. New construction or retrofit installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and all projects must be pre-approved prior to installation. A post-installation inspection is required. Installations must meet the APS interconnection requirements. Rebates range from $2.50/W dc to a maximum of $500,000 for new installations. In addition, customers may qualify to sell APS their environmental credits earned by the energy generated or saved by their systems. Note: In 2007, APS will be allocating funding to the program on a quarterly basis. Check www.aps.com/my_community/Solar/eps.html for status.
NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES NJ www.njcep.com
(866) 657-6278
PARTICIPATING UTILITIES:
Rockland Electric Company, Public Service Gas & Electric, New Jersey Natural Gas, Atlantic City Electric, FirstEnergy JCPL, Elizabethtown Gas, South Jersey Gas NEW JERSEY CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS: Applicants must be commercial customers of the regulated electric and/or gas utilities in the State of New Jersey. The installation must be a complete photovoltaic system with all new components. Systems must carry a five-year, all-inclusive warranty. Commercial systems must be grid tied. New construction or retrofit installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and projects must be pre-approved prior to installation. A post-installation inspection is required. Installations and systems must meet the requirements as set forth via the NJ CEP Technical Worksheet. Rebates are paid incrementally based
NYSERDA PV INCENTIVE PROGRAM NY www.powernaturally.org (518) 862-1090 info@nyserda.org
PARTICIPATING UTILITIES:
Consolidated Edison, Rochester Gas and Electric, National Grid formerly Niagara Mohawk, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, New York State Electric & Gas, Orange and Rockland Utilities NEW YORK ENERGY $MART PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) or SOLAR-ELECTRIC SYSTEM INCENTIVE PROGRAM (50kW and smaller).
ELIGIBILITY DETAILS:
Systems must be installed at a site that is subject to the Systems Benefits Charge (SBC). The installation must be a complete photovoltaic system with all new components and five-year all-inclusive warranty. Systems must be grid-connected and net metered. New construction or retrofit installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and all projects must be pre-approved prior to installation. A post-installation inspection is required. Systems must be installed by a NYSERDA-qualifi ed contractor. Rebates range from $4-$5 per watt dc depending on business sector. Commercial system incentives are capped at 50 kW per site/meter and 100 kW per customer.
AUSTIN ENERGY TX www.austinenergy.com (512) 482-5346 solarrebate@austinenergy.com
AUSTIN ENERGY SOLAR REBATE PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS:
The installation must use Austin Energy approved photovoltaic system components with an all-inclusive five-year warranty. Systems must be grid-connected and net metered. New construction or retrofi t installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and projects must be pre-approved prior to installation through an on-site pre-installation inspection. A post-installation inspection is required to determine final rebate level. Participants must use an installer from the Austin Energy Registered Installer List and must also be NABCEP certified (with restrictions). Rebates are paid at $4.50/W (dc) and are capped at 80% of the invoiced cost or $100,000 (whichever is less). Solar Water Heater rebates ranging from $450 to $650, with an additional potential 30% tax credit of $750 to $1,000, are also awarded, depending on the specifics of the installation. System must provide 50% of the on-site hot water requirements to qualify for the Federal Tax Credit. Additional restrictions apply.
ENERGY TRUST OF OREGON OR www.energytrust.org 866-ENTRUST info@energytrust.org
PARTICIPATING UTILITIES:
Portland General Electric OR www.portlandgeneral.com (503) 228-6322; Pacific Power OR www.pacificpower.net (888) 221-7070 ENERGY TRUST OF OREGONS SOLAR BUY- DOWN PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS: Systems must be grid-connected and net metered. New construction or retrofit installations are eligible.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved and projects must be pre-approved prior to installation. Energy Trust of Oregon may require post-installation inspections. Systems must be installed by a qualified Energy Trust solar contractor. Rebates range from $1.25 to $1.50 per watt dc for commercial installations. Funding is capped at 50 kW. Solar electric rebates of up to $70,000 are available to businesses as of January 31, 2007. Business energy tax credits offered through the Oregon Department of Energy of up to 35% of system cost, and federal investment tax credits of 30% of installed cost, plus accelerated depreciation, all combined with Energy Trust incentives, can cover over 50 percent of the total cost of a solar electric system.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - FL www.dep.state.fl .us (850) 245-8002
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS INCENTIVES PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS:
The purchase and installation of new solar energy systems in Florida from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010, is rebate eligible. The system must be two kilowatts or larger for a solar photovoltaic system or provide at least 50% of a buildings hot water consumption for a solar thermal system, or be a solar thermal pool heater.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
There is no reservation or pre-approval required, but rebate applications must be filed within 90 days of the system purchase. Systems must be installed by a state licensed solar installation contractor and be in compliance with state interconnection standards. Rebates start at $4 per watt dc, and are capped at $100,000.
VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE - RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER - VT www.rerc-vt.org 877-888-7372 RERC@VEIC.org
PARTICIPATING UTILITIES:
Central Vermont Public Service VT www.cvps.com (800) 649-2877; Green Mountain Power, VT www.gmpvt.vom (802) 864-5731 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS INCENTIVES
PROGRAM. ELIGIBILITY DETAILS:
The installation must be grid connected and net metered. The system must be a new and independent system with an all-inclusive five-year warranty.
PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Incentives must be reserved through a pre-approval application. Systems may only be installed by qualified contractors listed on the Vermont Solar and Small Wind Partners Program website. Applicants must file for a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board prior to installation. Rebates start at $1.75/ W dc.
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