Long Island
LIPA launched the Solar Pioneer Program in 2000 as part of the
utility's five-year Clean Energy Initiative -- a $32 million
commitment to developing clean energy alternatives. In May 2003,
LIPA announced that it would extend its Clean Energy Initiative for
another five years and increase funding levels by $5 million per
year, to an annual investment of $37 million and a total investment
of $185 million. Under the Efficiency Long Island Program (which
replaces the Clean Energy Initiative) budgets have exceeded this
investment level, with total efficiency and renewables budget of
$72.7 million for 2010.
In recent years the solar rebate program has been expanded with the
addition of rebates for large commercial systems. The new large
commercial program is called the Solar Entrepreneur program. With
the addition of the Solar Entrepreneur program, the overall program
budget increased by more than 50% to a total of $12.5 million for
2009 with a further increase to $15.3 million for 2010. As of
November 2009, LIPA had reportedly issued rebates for more than
2,100 PV systems over the 9-year life of the program. Past reports
indicate an average PV system size of approximately 5.9 kW.
LIPA offers its customers are rebates for grid-connected
photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of the Solar Pioneer and Solar
Entrepreneur programs. Residential PV systems up to 27.5 kW and
non-residential PV systems up to 2 MW (the limits of LIPA's net metering policy) are eligible
for an incentive ranging from $1.75 - $2.75 per watt depending on
the customer sector.
Systems should generally be sized so as not to exceed annual
electricity consumption. Residential system size is specifically
limited so as not to exceed 105% of on-site electricity consumption
during the prior 12 months. Rebates are only provided for the first
10 kW on residential systems and the first 50 kW on non-residential
systems. LIPA's rebates are designed to reflect the current PV
costs. The rebate may not exceed the lesser of 50% of installed
system costs, except 65% for municipal and non-profit systems, or
the incentive value as determined by the rebate
schedule.
Rebate levels effective May 28, 2010 by customer type are as
follows:
- Residential: $2.00/watt DC for first 10 kW
- Commercial:$1.75/watt DC for first 50 kW
- Gov't, Schools, Nonprofits: $2.75/watt DC for first 50 kW
Schools, not for profit, and government facilities receive
higher rebates to help compensate for tax incentives available to
residential and commercial customers. For the extra dollar per
watt, proof of non profit (501(c)3) or equal is required and tax
credits/depreciation cannot be applied for the PV installation.
Each municipal subdivision is limited to one application of up to
50 kW. All equipment must meet the minimum technical, warranty, and
installation requirements established by LIPA. The program has a
$100 non-refundable application fee.