Solar Photovoltaics

Public Benefits Fund

Public Benefits Fund HistoryWisconsin's public benefits fund (PBF), created in 1999, supports energy-efficiency programs, renewable-energy programs, and energy assistance for low-income households. Efforts in the mid-1990s to restructure and deregulate the electric utilities led numerous states to implement public benefits charges as a new source of funding for efficiency. These public benefits approaches established new structures under which utilities—or, in some states, separate efficiency utilities or other third parties—were tasked with administering and delivering energy efficiency, renewable energy, and low-income programs. Nationwide reported savings from utility and public benefits electricity programs in 2019 totaled 0.70% of sales, or 26.9
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System Benefits Charge

The New Mexico system benefits charge was replaced with the passing of the Efficient Use of Energy Act. 
As part of New Mexico's Electric Utility Industry Restructuring Act of 1999 the legislature created the Electric Industry System Benefits Fund for renewable energy, customer education, and low-income assistance. The fund is created through a charge of 0.03¢/kWh beginning January 1, 2002 and doubling in 2007. The charge is collected from all electric utilities, both private and public. The funds will support renewable energy up to $4 million to be used by school districts, cities, towns, villages, or counties. Renewable technologies
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Energy Loan Fund (ELF)


The Energy Loan Fund provides low-cost financing to Ohio-based small businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits,  and public entities for energy efficiency improvements. Through the Energy Loan Fund eligible applicants receive low-interest financing to install efficiency measures that reduce energy by at least 15 percent. For further information regarding eligibility, please view the Program Guidelines and Application Process. The Energy Loan Fund is managed by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Funding is provided through the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund and the Federal State Energy Program.

Project Funding

Funding available under these Guidelines is up to $9.5 million in state funds for Fiscal 

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New Hampshire - Solar Access Laws

New Hampshire State laws give municipalities broad jurisdiction over solar access regulation. Regulation is directionally intended to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and systems. The state itself creates the forms to declare solar easements.

Note: The 2015 New Hampshire Residential Rooftop Solar PV Permitting, Zoning and Interconnection Guide is an excellent resource to refer to for more details and related information. (Most information is up to date but no guarantees are made)

Section 477:50:1 

Creates Solar Skyspace Easements. Defining the agreement as “An instrument creating a solar skyspace easement shall include, but not be limited to: (a)

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City of Sebastopol - Solar Access

As a condition of approval of a property subdivision parcel map, the City of Sebastopol has the right to ask for dedication of solar easements for the purpose of assuring that each parcel or unit in the subdivision receives sunlight for any solar energy system. Sebastopol also has the right to place restrictions on vegetation or building that would interfere with solar access. These easements can be required as long as they do not reduce allowable densities or the percentage of a lot that can be occupied by a structure according to applicable zoning laws. The easements do not apply

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City of Sacramento - Solar Access Regulations

Sacramento City Code, Title 17, Section 17.504.050.I ensures that the Director of Parks and Community Services gives consideration to solar access, to the extent feasible, when selecting and planting residential street trees near residential buildings.

City Code Title 12 section 12.56.100 notes that the city is exempt from the provisions of the Solar Shade Control Act, Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 25980) of Division 15 of the California Public Resources Code. (Ord. 2016-0026 § 4).

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Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Program

This bond-funded program creates an Advanced Energy Job Stimulus Fund that is administered through a public process previously managed by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). Beginning in 2012, the program is managed by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The Program will award funds to a portfolio of advanced energy projects. These projects will serve to attract new investment to Ohio, build upon Ohio's manufacturing strength, advance energy technology development toward commercialization and prepare Ohio's workforce for the future. Detailed definitions of eligible advanced energy projects and renewable energy resources may be found in ORC 3706.25.

House Bill 166

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Solar Energy Incentives Program

Note: The deadline for the most recent solicitation under this program has now passed. The program is currently closed, pending revisions to the program guidelines. Please see the program web site for further details. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development now provides the Alternative and Clean Energy Program in place of this one.

In July 2008, Pennsylvania enacted legislation providing $650 million to support a variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Included in this legislation was a provision authorizing the creation of a $80 million grant and loan program for solar energy technologies. The program is

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Focus on Energy - Business & Marketing Grant

The Business and Marketing Grant provided by Focus on Energy is no longer available. Focus on Energy still provides similar grants and programs for small businesses, residents, and industry. 
Wisconsin Focus on Energy offers several state-wide grant programs to support the development of renewable energy projects and industry infrastructure. Individual grant programs are intended to offer support in specific areas of the renewable energy market to help implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. The Business & Marketing Grants provide financial support for developing business skills and marketing materials
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Alternative-Energy Personal Property Tax Exemption

Michigan HB 4465, effective 11/15/2019, reinstates the property tax exemption for alternative energy systems (AES) that was in effect from 2002 until to 2012. The summary of SB 1316, the original tax exemption bill, can be found below. 
"Alternative energy personal property" certified by the NextEnergy Authority and located in the NextEnergy Zone is exempt from the collection of personal property taxes. This exemption includes (1) "alternative energy systems," (2) "alternative energy vehicles," (3) the personal property of an "alternative energy technology business" and (4) the personal property of a business not engaged in alternative-energy technology that is
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