News from DSIRE: week of 11/15/10
ARIZONA – APS Rebates for Solar Water Heating Dry Up After a series of incentive level reductions for residential PV, leading to the temporary suspension of APS’s program, the utility’s rebate program for solar water heating has followed suit. APS recently announced that no additional rebates will be issued for solar water heating in 2010. While APS…
ARIZONA – APS Rebates for Solar Water Heating Dry Up
After a series of incentive level reductions for residential PV, leading to the temporary suspension of APS’s program, the utility’s rebate program for solar water heating has followed suit. APS recently announced that no additional rebates will be issued for solar water heating in 2010. While APS is still accepting and reserving applications, rebates will not be paid until January 1, 2011, or later, using 2011 funds.
CONNECTICUT – Fresh Funding Available for On-Site Renewables
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund issued a solicitation in early November to support on-site DG installations at commercial, industrial, not-for-profit and governmental facilities (including schools). Incentive amounts are not predetermined; rather, they are designed to help applicants “break even” with a “reasonable rate of return” on renewable energy investments. Solar projects must be 10 kW to 200 kW in capacity are eligible. A mandatory information meeting will be held December 6; proposals are due at the end of February 2011.
MASSACHUSETTS – Net Metering Expanded for Government Facilities
Thanks to the enactment of H.B. 2058 (an appropriations bill), there is a new special category of net metering for government entities in Massachusetts. Under the new law, municipal and government entities may net meter systems up to 10 MW in capacity. The aggregate cap for these types of facilities is 2% of the utility’s peak load; the cap for all other net-metered facilities is limited to 1% of the utility’s peak load. No other changes to net metering were made.
MINNESOTA – Small Wind Rebates on Tap
Businesses and non-profits seeking to install wind turbines up to 35 kW in capacity may be eligible for a 35% state rebate, up to $25,000, on qualifying projects. This program, funded by the federal stimulus bill, is open on a first-come, first-served basis until all funding is subscribed.
NEW YORK – LIPA Aligns Net Metering with State Policy
New York’s net metering law applies only to the state’s major investor-owned utilities — not to the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). However, LIPA has consistently chosen to adopt net metering rules that very closely resemble the state requirements. In October 2010, LIPA adopted a revised tariff that reflects recent changes to the state’s net metering law. Notable changes include: (1) the extension of net metering to farm-based anaerobic digester systems up to 1 MW; (2) the extension of net metering to residential micro-CHP and fuel cells up to 10 kW; and (3) the removal of language limiting solar and wind energy system size as a function of peak demand.
OHIO – Sun to Set on Advanced Energy Fund?
Due to unprecedented demand for funding from the Ohio’s Advanced Energy Fund, the state’s public benefits fund, all funding opportunities have been suspended as of November 5, 2010, in order to allow the Ohio Department of Development to process applications that were previously submitted. With the Advanced Energy Fund scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, future funding opportunities for renewables remain uncertain.
