News from DSIRE: 1/18/13
ARIZONA – Sulphur Springs Incentive Levels Tumble
Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative provides an upfront incentive for PV systems up to 10 kW, and a performance-based incentive for larger PV and all wind-energy systems. The utility recently announced significantly lower incentive levels for 2013. The upfront rebate has been reduced from $2/W to $0.50/W, and the performance-based incentive has been trimmed from $0.162/kWh to $0.08/kWh.
CALIFORNIA – LADWP FIT Flirtation Yields Fruit
LADWP tested the waters last year with a solar feed-in tariff demonstration program. The program behaved more like a reverse-auction, inviting applicants to bid their lowest acceptable base price of energy, which would be multiplied by time-of-delivery factors. Based on experience with the program thus far, the utility’s board approved a 100-MW FIT on January 11. The new program features a set base price of energy that starts at $0.17/kWh and will decline as more projects come online. This base price will again be multiplied by time-of-delivery factors, resulting in a rate of up to $0.3825kWh for electricity produced during peak times. The program is expected to begin February 1, pending final approval from the City Council.
COLORADO – Black Hills Suspends Solar Rebates
Black Hills Energy has submitted its 2013 Renewables Compliance Plan with the Colorado PUC. Included in the plan were proposed changes to the utility’s solar rebate program. In the meantime, the utility has suspended the program until the PUC rules on the proposed changes.
CONNECTICUT – Utilities Court Small Renewables via ZREC Tariffs
Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating are now accepting applications for their Small ZREC Tariffs. PV, wind and hydroelectric systems up to 100 kW are eligible for the program.
DELAWARE – DEC Green Energy Program Incentives Launch
The Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Renewable Resource Program began accepting grant applications January 9. Applications will be accepted until this year’s program budget ($260,481) is exhausted. However, the application deadline for residential PV and geothermal systems was January 15. Systems under third-party ownership and independent power producer are not eligible for grant funding.
FLORIDA – Broward County Boasts Web-Based PV Permitting
Broward County has launched a nifty online system to facilitate permitting for rooftop PV systems. This system — Go SOLAR Online Permitting — may be used for residential and certain commercial properties governed by a participating municipality
FLORIDA – GRU PV FIT to Exclude Class 3 Projects
Gainesville Regional Utilities will not accept applications for Class 3 projects for its PV feed-in tariff program in 2013. A total capacity of 2.53 MW is available in 2013, with 200 kW reserved for residential projects.
GEORGIA – Clean Energy Tax Credit Cleaned out
Annual funding of $5 million for Georgia’s Clean Energy Tax Credit in 2012, 2013 and 2014 has been fully allocated to compensate applicants wait-listed in previous years. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is still accepting and processing applications. If denied by the Georgia Department of Revenue, these applications will be added to a waiting list, prioritized by postmark, for possible credit allocation in the future. Clean Energy Tax Credit (corporate). Clean Energy Tax Credit (personal).
INDIANA – NIPSCO FIT Mutates
NIPSCO has revised the technology allocations under its feed-in tariff. Of the FIT’s total cap of 30 MW, 700 kW is now allocated for PV systems less than 10 kW, and 300 kW is allocated for wind-energy projects of less than 10 kW. The program is open to wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass facilities between 5 kW and 5 MW.
MASSACHUSETTS – New Commercial Solar Financing Program Inaugurated
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has launched a new financing program for solar water-heating for commercial and non-profit building owners. A variety of financing options are available depending on the project, including power purchase agreements and energy-service agreements.
MASSACHUSETTS – Block 13 of Commonwealth Solar II Rebates Opens
Commonwealth Solar II provides rebates for PV systems at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public facilities. Block 13 of the rebate program opened January 11. Incentive levels are the same as blocks 9, 10, 11 and 12 — $0.40/W, with the same adders. The maximum rebate remains $4,250 for residential and $2,250 for other systems. A total of $1.5 M is available for block 13.
MICHIGAN – DTE Energy Solar Currents Incentives on Tap
DTE Energy is now accepting applications for its Solar Currents program. This program provides a combined up-front rebate and production incentives to customers that install PV systems between 1 kW and 20 kW. The application deadline is February 5.
MISSOURI – Ameren SREC Rates Plummet
Ameren Missouri has updated its Standard Offer SREC Tariff for 2013. Notably, the SREC price has dropped significantly, to $5/SREC, from $50/SREC in 2012. Ameren now offers all eligible systems a 10-year contract. The program is limited to systems of up to 100 kW.
NEVADA – NV Energy Wind Incentives Still Afloat
NV Energy reactivated its WindGenerations incentives program in December. The utility originally said it would accept applications for a limited time and then determine the winners by lottery, but it recently announced that the program will remain open until the available capacity is fully subscribed.
OREGON – Rules Set for Small-Scale Energy Loans
The Oregon Department of Energy has established permanent rules for the state’s Small-Scale Energy Loan Program. The new rules update processes, technical requirements and fee schedules for loans. Loans are available for energy efficiency, renewables and alternative fuels.
OREGON – New Rules Kick in for Green Public Buildings
New rules for Oregon’s technology requirements for public buildings have taken effect. The authorizing law, originally enacted in 2007, required public agencies to allocate 1.5% of a building’s contract budget to certain solar-energy system. Legislation enacted last year modified this requirement to allow geothermal and other solar technologies to meet the 1.5% requirement. The rules for implementing the 2012 law took effect January 1.
RHODE ISLAND – New Grant Programs Target Solar, Other Renewables
Rhode island has launched two new grant programs to support smaller renewable-energy systems in 2013. One program offers grants for PV systems up to 10 kW and domestic solar water-heating systems. These grants will cover 25% of project costs, with a maximum award of $10,000 per individual project. The second program provides 20% of project funding, with a maximum award of $75,000, for electricity-generating renewables greater than 10 kW but not greater than 50 kW.
UTAH – RMP Solar Rebates up for Grabs
A major expansion approved last year to Rocky Mountain Power’s solar rebate program yielded a total program budget of $50 million for 2013-2017. Rebate applications will be accepted during a two-week period every year. The application period for 2013 incentives began January 15 and close January 28. Winners will be selected by lottery.
VERMONT – Small Renewables Rebates Put on Ice
Vermont’s Small Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program has stopped accepting applications. The Public Service Department has proposed changes to the program for 2013; these changes are under review. Start dates and incentive levels for the 2013 program have not been set.
WISCONSIN – FOE Resurrects Rebates; Grants on Deck
Focus on Energy has reopened its Renewable Energy Incentives program to residential customers, with increased rebate levels for solar. FOE anticipates offer rebates for wind energy beginning in spring. FOE also announced that it will re-open its non-residential grant program in early February.
