News from DSIRE: 12/21/12
CALIFORNIA – Sales Tax Incentive Extended to Agricultural PV
California provides a partial exemption of the state’s sales and use tax for farm equipment and machinery. The California State Board of Equalization recently issued a special notice clarifying that PV providing electricity to farm equipment and machinery may qualify for the partial exemption.
CALIFORNIA – Palo Alto Recalibrates FIT
City of Palo Alto Utilities launched a feed-in tariff in April, with a budget to support 4 MW of new PV installations in 2012. After eight months, the program has not issued any contracts, and the program was scheduled to expire. But the City Council voted in December to renew the program for another year with more attractive terms. The renovated program, which begins in January, will offer payments of $0.165/kWh for 20 years.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – New Property Tax Exemption for Solar, CHP
The District of Columbia Council has created a 100% personal property tax exemption for solar-energy systems and CHP systems.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Budget Finalized for FY2013 Solar Incentives
The FY13 budget for the District of Columbia’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program has been set at $1 million. This program provides rebates for PV systems.
MARYLAND – Anne Arundel County Extends PV Property Tax Credit
Anne Arundel County offers a property tax credit of 50% of system costs, with a maximum incentive of $2,500 for solar and geothermal systems. The credit formerly imposed a June 1, 2012 application deadline for PV systems, but new legislation enacted by the county in November removed this deadline. The credit is now available indefinitely for all qualifying solar and geothermal systems.
MINNESOTA – Moorhead Public Service Utility Rebates Decrease
Moorhead Public Service Utilities has lowered its incentive levels for PV and small wind from $2,000 to $1,500 per kW. Rebates for small wind are available to all customers; PV rebates are available only to residential customers. The annual budget shrank from $40,000 in 2012 to $30,000 in 2013.
NEVADA – Small Wind Rebates Back in Action
NV Energy has re-opened its WindGenerations incentive program. The utility will accept applications for the 2012-2013 from December 13 until January 11. The incentive level is $2.15/W or $3.15/W, depending on customer class. Incentive recipients will be determined by lottery.
NEW YORK – LIPA Rebates Now Available for Third-Party-Owned Residential PV
In October, the LIPA Board of Trustees approved extending the Solar Pioneer residential PV rebate program to leased systems. LIPA has since released program applications for third-party-owned residential PV projects, including leases systems and systems involving a power purchase agreement (PPA). These systems are eligible for a rebate of $1.50/W, with a maximum award of $15,000. (These levels are slightly lower the levels for customer-owned systems, which fetch $1.75/W and a maximum award of $17,500.
NORTH CAROLINA – Progress Energy Solar Incentives Axed
Progress Energy’s Commercial SunSense Programs have provided performance-based incentives for solar water heating and PV systems since 2009. The PV program reached its annual cap of 5 MW in June 2012 and entered hibernation, indicating that it would re-open in 2013. However, Progress Energy recently announced on its web site that these programs are permanently closed.
SOUTH CAROLINA – Progress Energy Solar Incentives Axed
Progress Energy’s Commercial SunSense Programs have provided performance-based incentives for solar water heating and PV systems since 2009. The PV program reached its annual cap of 5 MW in June 2012 and entered hibernation, indicating that it would re-open in 2013. However, Progress Energy recently announced on its web site that these programs are permanently closed.
VIRGINIA – Roanoke Unveils Solar Property Tax Exemption
Virginia allows any county, city or town to exempt or partially exempt solar-energy equipment or recycling equipment from local property taxes. Roanoke is the newest local government to offer property tax incentives for solar-energy equipment and facilities.
