Florida Attempting to Save Solar Rebate Program

Florida Attempting to Save Solar Rebate Program

The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has awakened America to re-examine renewable energy. One state, Florida, has a solar rebate program in trouble. 

The Florida solar rebate program was established in 2007. It provides homeowners $10,000 for photovoltaic solar installations and $500 for solar hot-water systems. Unfortunately, Florida state Legislature did not fund the program. Florida received $14.4 million in federal stimulus, but most of the funds went directly to solar rebates. This money was quickly used by applicants from the previous year.

Governor Charlie Crist requested $10 million for the program in 2010-2011. So far, Florida has provided no funds.

Currently, there are nearly 10,000 applicants waiting for $25 million in rebates. The program is set to expire at the end of June unless the Legislature reauthorizes its continuation.

Governor Crist said a special session is needed to consider banning oil drilling and investing money in renewable energy. 

http://wdbo.com/blogging/mt-tb.cgi/72984

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Utah Solar Rebate Begins

Utah Solar Rebate Begins

In the middle of April, Utah began the "Utah State Energy Program". The solar program provides a $2 per DC watt incentive for residential, commercial, and nonprofit photovoltaic installations.

For residential property owners, the rebate is 25 percent of the total system cost or $8,750 (whichever is less). The solar system must be between 900 Watts and 25 kW.

For commercial and nonprofit solar systems, the maximum rebate is 25 percent of the system's cost or $50,000 (whichever is less). The solar system must be between 5 kW and 100 kW.

In addition, cash rebates provided by utility companies will be subtracted from the maximum rebate total.

The photovoltaic solar system must be grid-tied and installed by a professional contractor with a Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing license.

The solar system must be installed at primary residences (residential) or commercial properties with an active business present.

In addition to the solar rebate, Utah offers a personal tax credit of $2,000 and the federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit on new solar panel installations. These rebates can reduce the cost of a solar system by over 50%.

Finance your Solar System

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Maricopa ED-3 Board Brings Back Solar Rebates

Maricopa ED-3 Board Brings Back Solar Rebates

Arizona. With an average of 211 sunny days a year and one of the largest cities in the United States (Phoenix at number 5), Arizona seems like a prime candidate for photovoltaic solar systems. To help finance solar installations, Electrical District number 3 voted to continue with the solar rebate program. 

After starting the program in 2009, it quickly ran out of money. Already, the rebate program has caused the company to spend $300,000 more than originally set aside.

Electrical District 3 continued to fund the solar rebate program until it was no longer possible. At this point, 32 customers have installed solar systems and 14 more were on the waiting list.

The surge of solar customers appears to be valley-wide. 113 APS customers applied for solar rebates in 2009. The total number of solar installations in 2009 is greater than the past eight years combined.

Electrical District 3 is now continuing the solar rebate program, except the rebate has been reduced from $3 per watt to $2.15 per watt. The program is funded by charging electricity consumers 30 cents a month and commercial users $12/month.

Electrical District 3 is researching how much consumers are willing to contribute a month to renewable energy. Until this information is collected, Electrical District 3 will hold off on tariff increases.

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