News from DSIRE: week of 11/29/10
ARIZONA – Further Reductions to SRP PV Incentives After announcing cutbacks to its incentive program for residential PV systems in October, SRP has announced that 2010 funding for its commercial PV incentive program is exhausted. A new injection of funding will become available in May 2011. However, until that time, systems up to 30 kW…
ARIZONA – Further Reductions to SRP PV Incentives
After announcing cutbacks to its incentive program for residential PV systems in October, SRP has announced that 2010 funding for its commercial PV incentive program is exhausted. A new injection of funding will become available in May 2011. However, until that time, systems up to 30 kW may be eligible for a reduced rebate of $1/W. Performance-based incentives for systems larger than 30 kW will not be available until May 1, 2011.
FLORIDA – Federal Stimulus Funds to Plug Rebate Program Holes
The Florida legislature has approved the use of federal stimulus funding to support the state’s solar rebate program and Energy Star appliance rebate program. The solar rebate program has a vast backlog of applications for rebates that were not awarded, and the appliance rebate program began accepting applications before obtaining legislative approval. House Bill 15A has approved funding for a portion of the backlogged solar rebates and a portion of the appliance rebate applications that were submitted before that program closed.
HAWAII – Feed-in Tariff Debuts
Hawaii’s feed-in tariff program has opened on all islands within the service territories of HECO, HELCO, and MECO. This incentive program is administered by Accion Group, which has created a new web site for prospective applicants.
ILLINOIS – DCEO Unveils Fresh Funding for Wind, Solar
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for the Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program. Funded by the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund, the state’s public benefits fund, eligible customers can receive rebates up to 30% for residential and commercial systems (including equipment and installation), and up to 50% for non-profit and government systems. The maximum individual award is $50,000. Rebate applications are due April 30, 2011.
KANSAS – RPS Rules Finalized
The Kansas Corporation Commission established regulations to implement the state’s renewable portfolio standard. The rules, which took effect November 11, 2010, include reporting requirements and penalties for non-compliance. The regulations also clarify terms for the use of RECs towards standard compliance.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Residential PV, Wind Rebates Enter Hibernation
Two months after reducing rebate levels, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission has announced that its residential rebate program for PV and wind energy is fully subscribed. A waiting list has been established, but additional funding likely will not be available before July 2011.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Residential Solar Thermal Incentives Sweetened
New Hampshire’s solar thermal incentive program consists of a two-part rebate supported by state funds and federal funds allocated via the federal stimulus bill. The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, which administers the program, has announced that the federal portion of the rebate will be raised from $750 per system to $2,000 per system. This increase applies retroactively and to all accepted applicants until funding is fully allocated. Approximately $800,000 remains available.
NEW HAMPSHIRE – New Rebate Program Supports Commercial Solar
In an effort to balance renewables expenditures between residential and non-residential installations, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission has established a new solar rebate program for commercial and industrial facilities. The rebate for PV is $1/W, and the rebate for solar thermal is $0.07 per modeled Btu per year. The maximum incentive for both types of installations is 25% of the system’s cost or $50,000, whichever is less. Expansions to existing systems are allowed, although at lower incentive levels.
NEW JERSEY – PV Rebates Call it a Year
New Jersey’s prolific customer-sited PV rebate program has closed for the remainder of 2010. The program opened the third of three 2010 funding cycles (FC 3) on September 1, 2010, with $6.65 million in funds. Incentive requests have exceeded the available funds, and new applications are no longer being accepted. It has not yet been determined how New Jersey’s customer-sited PV program will operate in 2011.
NEW YORK – Anaerobic Digester Gas Incentives Reappear
The New York Anaerobic Digester Gas (ADG) to Electricity program has re-opened, with up to $10 million in funding through the end of 2010. Under the revised program rules, participants are eligible for a combination of capacity-based and performance-based incentives totaling up to $1 million. The capacity incentive is set at $1,000/kW, up to $850,000 or 50% of project costs. The performance-based incentive is set at $0.07 per kWh of estimated electricity production over five years. This program is part of the Customer-Sited Tier of New York’s renewable portfolio standard.
PENNSYLVANIA – Residential PV Rebate Levels Decline
The Pennsylvania Sunshine rebate program operates under a structure in which incentives are reduced as certain pre-determined program capacity benchmarks are reached. The residential PV portion of the program has now reached the third capacity benchmark, triggering a reduction in incentive levels from $1.25/W to $0.75/W. The current incentive step, which totals 10 MW of capacity, is the final step under the current program guidelines.
PUERTO RICO – Incentives Over-Subscribed by 250%
Puerto Rico’s State Energy Program announced that no additional applications will be accepted for any of its renewables rebate programs that were developed in January 2010. Applications received after October 1, 2010, have been placed on a waiting list. These programs were created with federal stimulus funding.
Puerto Rico – State Energy Program – Solar Water Heater Rebate Program
Puerto Rico – State Energy Program – Sun Energy Rebate Program
Puerto Rico – State Energy Program – Wind Energy Rebate Program
Puerto Rico – State Energy Program – Agricultural Renewable Energy Rebate Program
TEXAS – El Paso Electric Solar Rebates Back in the Saddle
The El Paso Electric Company will accept applications for the second year of the utility’s Solar PV Pilot Program, beginning December 1, 2010. The program now offers incentives of $2/W for residential systems and $1.75/W for non-residential systems. Systems less than 1 kW are only eligible for the incentive if they are built at a school and for educational use.
