Hello salamander69-ga,
Several excellent websites exist that have compiled extensive
information on state and local programs that provide grants, tax
breaks, credits or other forms of support for activities pertaining to
energy conservation and renewable energy.
I am providing links to these sites, along with detailed instructions
about accessing information that I believe to be most valuable to you.
The first site listed below is the major source of information on
state and local programs. However, each of the sites offers
additional and valuable information, and I would encourage you to
become familiar with them all.
Before rating this answer, if anything here is not clear -- or if you
need additional information -- please let know. Just post a Request
for Clarification, and I'll be happy to assist you further.
Best of luck.
pafalafa-ga
==========
First stop is the highly-regarded Database of State Incentives for
Renewable Energy, DSIRE, which can be found at:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
You'll see right off the bat, a map of the US on the main web page.
Clicking on any state will provide detailed information on a wide
variety of energy-related support programs in that state.
However, you can search DSIRE for parameters particular to your interests.
Clicking on the "Search By' text on the left-hand side of the page
will take you to a new page with a number of search options:
http://www.dsireusa.org/searchby/index.cfm?CurrentPageID=2
Try clicking here on the "Eligible Sector" to see how this search
option works. You'll be given a choice of sector options, including:
Commercial
Construction
Industrial
Installer
and so on. Selecting (for example) "Commercial" will then take you to
a list of links to hundreds of programs across the country, sorted by
state.
For instance, the program listings for Pennsylvania are:
Pennsylvania
Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Fund (AFIG)
Mainstay Energy Rewards Program - Green Tag Purchase Program
Metropolitan Edison Company SEF Grants (FirstEnergy Territory)
Metropolitan Edison Company SEF Loans (FirstEnergy Territory)
Penelec SEF of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Grant
Program (FirstEnergy Territory)
Penelec SEF of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Loan
Program (FirstEnergy Territory)
Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program
SEF of Central Eastern Pennsylvania Grant Program (PP&L Territory)
SEF of Central Eastern Pennsylvania Loan Program (PP&L Territory)
Sustainable Development Fund Commercial Financing Program (PECO Territory)
Sustainable Development Fund Grant Program (PECO Territory)
Sustainable Development Fund Solar PV Grant Program (PECO Territory)
The Energy Cooperative - Solar Energy Buy-Back Program
West Penn Power SEF Commercial Loan Program
(I can't list programs for all states here, since the DSIRE database
is a proprietary system. However it's quite a simple matter to
reproduce the list for your own use).
Alternatively, if you searched on "Incentives" and then choose
"rebate" as your incentive type, you would produce a list of all state
rebate programs, such as these:
Oregon
Ashland - Solar Electric Program
Ashland Electric Utility - The Bright Way to Heat Water Rebate
EPUD - Solar Water Heater Program Rebate
EWEB - Energy Management Services Rebate
EWEB - The Bright Way To Heat Water Rebate
OTEC - Photovoltaic Rebate Program
Solar Electric Buy-down Program
Solar Water Heating Buy-down Program
There is also an option to conduct keyword searches to custom-tailor
your results, which will also be presented on a state by state basis.
==========
DSIRE is the major database of energy-related state and local
financing and incentive programs. However, there are a number of
other sites you should be aware of as well.
The Clean Energy States Alliance maintains a set of links to member
state programs that is easily viewed according to different clean
energy technologies. You can see their master chart here:
http://www.cleanenergystates.org/Funds/programs.php
and can click on any program of interest for more in-depth information.
==========
Another data source worth visiting is the American Wind Energy
Association. Despite their name, they have prepared a fantastic
reference document of state programs that
support not only wind energy projects, but a broad array of energy
conservation activiies. The report can be found at:
http://www.awea.org/policy/documents/inventory.PDF
INVENTORY OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR WIND ENERGY
The report covers three basic types of financing and incentives:
(1) economic and financial incentives
including tax rebates and credits, low-interest loans, and net metering.
(2) legislative and regulatory incentives, such as requirements for
utilities to "buy back" a certain amount of locally enerated
electricity.
(3) research and outreach programs. These can be implemented by
private groups, utilities, state organizations, and other entities.
Such programs are often funded by system benefit charges collected
from ratepayers.
For instance, the information shown for Arizona includes the following:
---
State tax incentives: Sales tax incentive: A retail sales tax
exemption applies to solar and wind energy equipment, up to $5,000.
Wind energy equipment includes wind electric generators and
wind-powered water pumps.
Personal tax credit: Arizona provides a credit against the personal
income tax in the amount of 25% of the cost of a solar or wind energy
device. The credit can be claimed in the year of installation and has
a maximum allowable limit of $1,000. If the amount of the credit
exceeds a taxpayer?s liability in a certain year, the unused portion
of the credit may be carried forward for up to five years. Qualifying
technologies include passive solar heating, active solar space
heating, solar water heating, photovoltaics, and wind systems.
Other economic and financial incentives: Commercial loans: The
Revolving Energy Loans for Arizona (RELA) are offered by the
Department of Commerce for companies which either 1) manufacture
renewable energy, alternative energy, or energy conserving equipment
or 2) acquire such equipment for use in their own processes.
Manufacturers can qualify for the loan only if they have at least two
years operating experience in Arizona. Loan requests may range from
$10,000 to $500,000, up to a maximum of 60% of total project costs.
Net metering: Net metering is allowed for all renewable energy
generators under 100 kW. Monthly net excess generation is purchased at
avoided cost. Legislative and regulatory incentives: In May, 2000, the
ACC issued an order (ACC Rules R14-2-1618; Decision 62506) requiring
electricity providers to derive 1.1% of their total product from
renewable energy sources by 2007.
---
=====
The US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy maintains a "Financing" page at:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/financing/
which also offers a number of ways to access their extensive database
of available incentives for energy conservation. This is mostly a
collections links to other sources (including DSIRE) but also houses
information of its own that may be of value.
For instance, the link to "Industry" financing information leads you to:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/financing/industry.html
with information on a number of financing programs such as:
Inventions and Innovation
The Inventions and Innovation (I&I) program provides financial
assistance at two levels-up to $40,000 or up to $200,000, depending on
the stage of development-for conducting early development and
establishing technical performance of innovative ideas and inventions.
Technologies within the areas of industry, power, transportation, or
buildings that have a significant energy savings impact and future
commercial market potential are eligible for financial support through
a competitive solicitation process. In addition to financial
assistance, this program offers technical guidance and
commercialization support to successful applicants.
National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and
Economics (NICE3)
NICE3 is an innovative, cost-sharing program to promote energy
efficiency, clean production, and economic competitiveness in
industry. It provides funding to state and industry partnerships
(large and small business) for projects that develop and demonstrate
advances in energy efficiency and clean production technologies. In
total, NICE3 has sponsored over 100 projects, with more than half
going to small businesses. It has leveraged $26.3 million in federal
funds, with $81.8 million in state and industry funds since 1991.
==========
Once again, if you need additional information on anything I've
presented here, just let me know, and I'll be glad to help you
further.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
pafalafa-ga
search strategy: Used bookmarked sites for energy conservation financing sources. |
