NYSERDA through its Power Naturally program offers a first-come-first serve photovoltaic (PV) rebate to install PV systems on homes and buildings. The rebates are available to property owners who pay an RPS fee on their electric bills.

The program pays up to 40 percent of the installed cost of a solar photovoltaic system after available tax credits up to $10,500 for residential systems, $75,000 for nonresidential and privately-owned systems and up to $37,500 for government nonprofits, govenment entities and schools.

Beginning June 30, 2011 all installers must be NABCEP certified in order to qualify for the program. The program web site (listed above) provides a list of more than 125 fully eligible installers and many others with provisional approval.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Energy Efficiency (DSIRE) said that the program is funded at $2 million per month, through 2015. So, as of August 2010, roughly $104 million of funding for PV installations remains. However, the Power Naturally site said on August 3, 2010, that the program was closed. It was unclear when the site was last updated. But it is wise to submit applications as early in the month as possible to ensure the system is covered under the program.

To qualify for the incentive, the system must be installed by an eligible installer, and the system must be grid-tied. The installer will submit all application materials on behalf of the system owner. However, eligible PV installers may only submit for incentives on up to 225 kW of PV installations in any given month. After they reach that level, they are not eligible to apply for more installation incentives until the next month.

Under the program, incentives are paid directly to the system installer, in two increments. The first payment, of 75 percent, is made to the installer upon delivery of all materials to the installation site. The 25 percent remainder of the incentive is paid upon completion of the installation after all paperwork has been submitted and the site was inspected and approved by NYSERDA or its representatives. All the rebates are given directly to the installer but are passed on 100 percent to the customer.

Rebates may not exceed 50 percent of the system’s costs. However, the actual rebate may be less depending on system location, tilt and more. According to NYSERDA, Energy Star labeled homes and building integrated PV systems may be eligible for an additional $.50 per watt rebate which may not exceed 50 percent of the total installed system costs.

The size of the PV system is limited to 110 percent of the home’s existing energy use, based on previous electricity bills, or 5 kW. To qualify for the full amount of the rebate, the system cannot have losses of more than 20 percent for a traditional PV installation. For building-integrated PV systems, a system cannot lose more than 40 percent. If loss levels exceed those thresholds, the amount of the rebate is adjusted accordingly. These factors, including shading by trees or neighboring buildings, the orientation and tilt of the system, (i.e., faces east or west, or lies flat on a flat roof), must be analyzed by the installer and are assessed during the review process.