Solar Photovoltaics

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Note: Section 13302 of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) extended the expiration date and modified the phase down of this tax credit. It also made stand-alone energy storage systems eligible for the credit, and biomass heaters ineligible for the credit. Biomass heaters are now eligible for the residential energy efficiency tax credit. The summary below reflects the credit after the enactment of H.R. 5376.

A taxpayer may claim a credit for a system that serves a dwelling unit located in the United States that is owned and used as a residence by the taxpayer. Expenditures

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Energy-Efficient Mortgages

Homeowners can take advantage of energy efficient mortgages (EEM) to either finance energy efficiency improvements to existing homes, including renewable energy technologies, or to increase their home buying power with the purchase of a new energy efficient home. The U.S. federal government supports these loans by insuring them through Federal Housing Authority (FHA) or Veterans Affairs (VA) programs. This allows borrowers who might otherwise be denied loans to pursue energy efficiency, and it secures lenders against loan default.

FHA Energy Efficient Mortgages
The FHA allows lenders to add up to 100% of energy efficiency improvements to an existing mortgage loan

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Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC)

Note: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) made several significant changes to this tax credit, including extending the expiration date, providing for new bonus credits, and establishing new criteria to qualify for the full credit. It also phases out this tax credit under section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code at the end of 2024 and replaces it with a new technology-neutral tax credit under section 45Y of the Internal Revenue Code. The summary below describes the current section 45 tax credit as modified by the Inflation Reduction Act, and below that, the new 45Y tax

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Clean Energy Standard

The Clean Energy Standard (CES) was created to assist in reaching Massachusetts’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals adopted pursuant to the Climate Protection and Green Economy Act. The CES requires retail electricity sellers to demonstrate on an annual basis the use of clean energy for the generation of specific electricity sale percentages.

Clean Generation Resources

The CES allows two types of clean generation resources, those from existing units and those from new units. Clean existing generation refers to existing nuclear and hydroelectric generating units that have a capacity of more than 30 MW, started operations before 2011, and are

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Clean Peak Energy Standard

On August 9, 2018, An Act to Advance Clean Energy (H.B. 4857) was signed into law, requiring the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to develop the Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS). The DOER officially established the first CPS in the nation in July 2020, directing retail electricity suppliers and distribution companies to meet a baseline minimum percentage of sales with qualified clean peak resources (those that dispatch or discharge to the distribution system during seasonal peak periods or reduce system load). Municipal lighting plants in Massachusetts are exempt from the standard. 

Qualified Clean Peak Resources

As part of

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City of New Orleans - Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard

On April 15, 2020, the New Orleans City Council adopted a Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS) via Resolution R-20-104, with the goal to eliminate carbon emissions in 2050 and reach net-zero emissions in 2040. Entergy New Orleans must follow the standard.

Eligible Technologies and Resources

RCPS eligibility is broken down into three tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 resources.

Tier 1 resources are any renewable energy resources (solar thermal, PV, wind, geothermal, fuel cell using renewable, hydroelectric, ocean wave, ocean thermal, tidal current, any additions/enchantments to such facilities), certain energy storage resources (batteries, flow batteries, fuel

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Granite State Clean Fleets (GSCF)

*Note: Applications close on October 13, 2023.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Grant State Clean Fleets (GSCF) program is a competitive grant program for municipalities, public school districts, public colleges/universities, and transit districts that want to replace old diesel vehicles/engines/equipment diesel and EV models. The program has a total of $10 million available (partially funded by the state's Volkswagen Trust) for EV and EVSE technologies, as well as energy storage and renewable energy resources (solar, hydroelectric, and wind) to supply power to the EVSE. Grant awards vary based on the project.

To learn more about this opportunity you

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Austin Utilities (Gas and Electric) - Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Austin Utilities offers incentives to its commercial and industrial customers for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in eligible facilities. Rebates are available for lighting equipment, HVAC equipment, anti-sweat heater controls for cooler/freezer doors, motors, variable speed drives, heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), food service equipment, and finally custom and electric measures.Austin Utilities can also help examine a customer's potential energy and money saving options by identifying rebate amounts and estimated payback time. Applications must be submitted and approved before the new equipment is installed. Rebates are available until funds are exhausted for the calendar year.

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Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Generation

In March 2007, West Virginia enacted legislation (SB 441) amending its tax law concerning the business and operation (B&O) tax for wind turbines. Although SB 441 increased the taxable value of wind turbine generating capacity, the taxation level is still significantly lower than that of most other types of electricity generation. For most types of newly constructed electricity-generating units, the B&O tax is calculated by multiplying a pre-determined dollar amount by 40% of the nameplate capacity rating of the generating unit. However, the B&O tax on wind turbines is multiplied by only 12% of the nameplate capacity rating

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Net Metering

Eligibility and Applicability

Montana's net-metering law, enacted in July 1999, applies to all customers of investor-owned utilities. Systems up to 50 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that generate electricity using solar, wind or hydropower are eligible. No limit on enrollment or statewide installed capacity is specified. Utilities may not require customer-generators to comply with any additional standards or requirements beyond those established by the National Electric Code, National Electrical Safety Code, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Net Excess Generation

Net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer's next monthly bill. The customer may choose

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