Rebates

H.F. 2310, enacted in May 2023 (see section 216C.375), created the Solar for Schools grant program under the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The Program allows schools and parties on the behalf of schools to apply for grants for up to 100% of the cost of procuring and installing a solar energy generation system on or adjacent to the school premises. The law directed a $14,310,000 budget allocation to support the program. 

The Department of Commerce is directed to request applications from interested schools, utilities, and developers and assess the applications and ensure that all costs are necessary and reasonable

This rule applies to new buildings seeking construction permits on or after January 1, 2025.

In 2023, Delaware HB 11 was enacted, adding a provision for "Solar-Ready Zones" to the commercial building code. These rules apply to new commercial buildings with a foundation footprint of 50,000 square feet or more.

Solar-Ready Zones are sections of the building's roof or overhang reserved for future installation(s) of solar photovoltaic or solar thermal energy systems.

Solar-Ready Zones shall be located on the roof of buildings up to 5 stories above grade with low-slope roofs or slanted roofs facing 110 to 270 degrees from

Kentucky offers a sales and use tax exemption for machinery for new and expanded industry. In 2021, the Kentucky Department of Revenue offered guidance on how this exemption may apply to solar energy systems.

According to the guidance, solar energy system components that are involved in the production of electricity for sale may be exempt from sales and use tax. The exemption would not apply to components not directly involved in electricity production, like distribution lines, transformers, and battery storage systems. The exemption would also only apply to solar energy systems that produce electricity for sale, rather than for on-site use.

Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives and technical support that makes it easy and affordable to add solar to building designs. The benefits of solar power—such as lower energy bills, reduced carbon emissions and protection from rising electricity costs—are all great reasons to reach for the sun. Energy Trust offers cash incentives and technical support that make going solar easy and affordable. Energy Trust can also help design buildings to be solar ready and reduce the cost of a future solar installation.

To make going solar easier and more affordable for eligible nonprofits, tribes, and affordable multifamily housing projects, Energy Trust of Oregon offers a Solar Development Assistance incentive of $1,800 — to help determine the potential of a solar or solar + battery storage projects — as well as increased solar installation incentives that are higher than regular incentives. Incentive amount is dependent on the system size and the electric utility service territory the system is located in.

To be eligible for the increased solar incentives, the property must fit one of the following categories:

• Owned and operated by one of

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through NY-Sun Commercial/Industrial Incentive Program (PON 3082) provides performance-based incentives for installation by contractors of non-residential new grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that are ranging from 750kW to 7.5MW in the Upstate region. Incentives for residential sites in all regions, nonresidential sites 750 kW or less in Upstate and PEG Long Island regions, and nonresidential sites 7.5MW or less in Con Ed region are offered through the NY- Residential & Nonresidential program. Incentives are awarded on a first-come, first serve basis, and project applications will be accepted

Note: Incentive suspended pending further investigation by the Mississippi PSC according to an order filed in early April 2024 (See Docket No. 2023-UN-16).

Entergy Mississippi offers low-to-moderate income residential customers a one-time $3,000 cash incentive on a first-come, first-served basis when installing a renewable distributed generation facility with a capacity of at least 4 kW-DC (and one that does not generate more than 110% of the customer's year annual peak demand). 

The utility also offers the Residential Demand Response Battery Incentive Program, but customers are only allowed to choose one of the two incentives, and no incentive will be available beyond 2027.

Note: Incentive suspended pending further investigation by the Mississippi PSC according to an order filed in early April 2024 (See Docket No. 2023-UN-16).

Mississippi Power offers low-to-moderate income residential customers a one-time $3,000 cash incentive on a first-come, first-served basis when installing a renewable distributed generation facility with a capacity of at least 4 kW-DC (and one that does not generate more than 110% of the customer's year annual peak demand). 

The utility also offers the Battery Storage Incentive Program, but customers are only allowed to choose one of the two incentives, and no incentive will be available beyond 2027. 

Information for this program is taken from the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan

As part of its Renewable Portfolio Standard, Illinois operates two SREC purchase programs to support deployment of solar photovoltaic generation.

By offering more generous REC prices than the Illinois Shines program, the Illinois Solar for All program incents low-income residents (as well as non-profit and public facilities) to participate in solar projects, whether as a system owner, community solar project subscriber, or system host.

The Illinois Solar for All Program consists of four sub-programs: the Low-Income Single-Family and Small Multifamily Solar Incentive (also referred

Information for this program is taken from the Illinois Shines Program Guidebook and the 2024 Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan

The Illinois Shines Program is a state-administered solar incentive program created to facilitate the development of new photovoltaic distributed generation and community solar projects through the issuance of renewable energy credit delivery contracts. At least 50% of Illinois's solar REC procurement target must be supplied through this program.

Illinois Shines contains six program categories: 1) Small DG (less than or equal to 25 kW); 2) Large DG (greater than 25 kW up to 5 MW); 3) Traditional Community Solar; 4)