Kansas Solar Rebates and Incentives

Kansas has potential to have some of the best solar programs in the nation, with the vast amount of sunlight that the state enjoys. Without so much sun, Kansas would not be able to have the thriving agricultural business that it does. Unfortunately, the Kansas state legislature has been somewhat slow to take advantage of these natural benefits, and the measures taken by the state to encourage solar power have been few and far between.

As of 2007, all energy production plants in Kansas must produce at least 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources, and utilities companies receive tax credits for electricity generated from renewable energy. Net metering is also available for Kansas residents with renewable energy systems in place, although unused utility credits earned won’t result in a rebate. For homeowners and small businesses, personal tax credits, property tax exemptions, and state loans are some of the few ways that Kansas has begun to move beyond the state’s past fixation on coal-generated energy.
 

 

Solar Rebate and Incentive Programs

  • Efficiency Kansas Revolving Loan Program


    Program Type State Loan Program
    Technologies Photovoltaics, Wind, Other Distributed Energy Generation Technologies
    Amount Up to $20,000 for residential projects, and $30,000 for commercial and industrial projects
    Required Documentation

    Energy audit from qualified auditor, and an Energy Conservation Plan submitted to local

    utilities company
    Official Web Site http://www.efficiencykansas.com

    Money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been set aside by Kansas to promote renewable energy and more efficient energy systems for both homes and small businesses. These loans are directly administered by public utilities companies and private lenders, and are available for repayment periods of up to 15 years.

    Before applying for this loan, homeowners and business owners must first undergo an energy audit from an auditor deemed “qualified” by the program terms. The cost of the audit can be covered in the loan, although the first 1,500 applicants before April 1, 2011, may qualify for a discounted $100 audit. The audit recommendations and contractor bids for installation must then be written up as an Energy Conservation Plan to be presented to utilities companies or private lenders who in turn submit the plan to the State Energy Office.

    If the loan is approved by the state, the repayment costs are included in the utility bills. The loan is attached to the property itself, and not to the individual home or business owner. This means that future occupants of the building must be told about the repayment obligation in the event that the home or business owner moves before the loan has been paid off.

  • Renewable Energy Facility Personal Tax Credit


    Program Type Personal Tax Credit
    Technologies Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Electric, Wind Energy, Biomass
    Amount 10 percent of the first $50,000,000 invested. Five percent for any amount above $50,000,000
    Required Documentation Agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce before construction begins
    Official Web Site http://www.kansascommerce.com/SpecialInitiatives/WindEnergyInitiative/tabid/262/Default.aspx

    This personal tax credit is designed to encourage business owners to construct on-site renewable energy facilities in order to meet current or future electricity needs. For renewable energy systems constructed between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2011, investment tax credits can be claimed for up to 10 percent of the first $50 million spent, and an additional 5 percent for any amount above $50 million. These tax credits are claimed over the course of 10 years, in equal increments.

    In order to be able to claim these tax credits, the business owner must enter into an agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce before beginning work on the renewable energy system. The energy facilities must remain operating for at least 10 years, and the Department of Commerce will review them each year to ensure they are operating within the bounds of the initial agreement.

  • Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption


    Program Type Property Tax Incentive
    Technologies Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind Energy, Geothermal Electric                                 
    Amount 100 percent
    Required Documentation Receipts from the renewable energy equipment
    Official Web Site http://www.kcc.state.ks.us/energy/index.htm

    As of 1999, any renewable energy equipment installed in the state of Kansas is exempt from property taxes.

    Unlike many of the renewable energy incentives available in Kansas, this tax break is available not only to businesses, but to homeowners as well, and applies to most types of renewable energy equipment, including solar panels and solar thermal electric systems. Since this exemption covers 100 percent of state property taxes, it is a modest but important step for Kansas in helping to make solar energy more widely available to private households.

  • Kansas Solar Power Financial Incentives


    Financial Incentives

    Property Tax Exemption

    State Loan Program

    Utility Loan Program

    Utility Rebate Program



    Rules, Regulations & Policies

    Building Energy Code

    Energy Standards for Public Buildings

    Solar Access Law/Guideline




    Related Programs & Initiatives

    Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
     

    The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) provides a wide range of information and resources to enable the use of alternative fuels and other petroleum-reduction options, such as advanced vehicles, fuel blends, idle reduction and fuel economy. The AFDC site offers a database of state and federal laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, air quality, fuel efficiency, and other transportation-related topics.



    Green Power Network
     

    The U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network provides news and information on green power markets and activities, including opportunities to buy green power. This site provides state-by-state information on green power marketing and utility green power programs. In addition, the site lists marketers of renewable energy credits (RECs), also known as green tags or renewable energy certificates, which represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects.



    Weatherization Assistance Program
     

    The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient. Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy-efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. The WAP program web site offers a state-by-state map of opportunities, projects and activities.



    Wind Powering America
     

    The U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America site provides state-by-state information on wind projects and activities, including wind working groups, validated wind maps, anemometer loan programs, small wind guides, state-specific news, wind for schools, workshops and web casts.