Solar Rebates And Incentives

Note: Effective May 16, 2015, Empire began offering this solar rebate to retail customers who installed eligible systems after December 31, 2009, and meet all other program requirements.

Empire District Electric Company (now operating as Liberty Utilities) offers customers rebates for the installing net-metered solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The program is available to all of Empire's retail customers on generally available residential, commercial, and industrial rate schedules. Only systems that become operational after December 31, 2009, are eligible for the rebate.

In order to qualify for the incentive, a customer must have an electric account in good standing with the utility. Eligible systems must be new and permanently installed on the customer's property. Installations must comply with all applicable federal, state and local codes and standards, including the state of Missouri's Net Metering Interconnection Standards. Rebate recipients must certify that the system will remain in operation on their property for its useful life (deemed to be a minimum of 10 years). See the program website for additional information.

History

The solar rebate program arises from Proposition C, a November 2008 ballot initiative that established a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in Missouri and required the state's investor-owned utilities to offer solar rebates for new or expanded systems that became operational after December 31, 2009. In May 2008, the general assembly enacted S.B. 1181, which created an exemption from the RPS for any electric corporation achieving certain renewable energy standards. Empire was the only electrical corporation that met the requirements of the exemption. In February 2015, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the subsequent passage of Proposition C repealed the RPS exemption enacted through S.B. 1181. Pursuant to the ruling, Empire began offering solar rebates in May 2015.