AB 389 of 2017 created an exemption from the sales and use tax for "qualified tangible personal property purchased for use by a qualified person to be used primarily in the generation or production, or storage and distribution, of electric power." The exemption also applies to contractors who purchase the equipment in the service of a contract with a qualified person. "Qualified person" is defined in the statutes. 

The exemption does not apply to the generation or production of electricity from nuclear energy, large hydro, or fossil fuels, except when used in cogeneration. However, the exemption does apply to the

The Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program provides per-kWh incentives to solar PV projects up to 5 MW. The program is capped at an aggregate of 1,600 MW, and incentives are available in Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil territories. 

Between 20% and 35% of total program capacity is required to be reserved for projects of 25 kW or less. Program capacity is divided into 80 MW blocks, with incentive amounts declining with each block.

Incentive Amount

The value of the incentive payment is equal to the following for standalone solar projects: 

(Base compensation rate + compensation rate adders - greenfield

On August 14, 2019, Mayor Kenney of Philadelphia signed a law which created a Solar Rebate. The rebate is paid by the City for commercial or residential solar installations completed after July 1, 2019. These incentive payments will average $1,000 per home. The program has a spending cap of $500,000 per fiscal year.

Columbia River People's Utiltiy District offers net metering for customer-generators with solar PV installations through its Choice Energy Solar Rebates. The incentive is $1,000 for newly installed qualifying solar PV systems.

Austin Energy provides rebates to small, medium, and large commercial customers who wish to install photovoltaic systems. Incentives range from $0.02-$0.08/kWh. Contact Austin Energy or visit the program website for more information on this program.

Note: Additional rebates are available through August 31

Austin Energy offers incentives for multifamily property owners to install solar PV systems on five or more units. In order to qualify, PV systems must be at least 2kW (AC) per unit or be estimated to produce at least 50% of annual electrical consumption. For more information, visit the program website.

The City of Aspen offers a variety of incentives to its commercial customers to encourage the use of energy efficient products. Rebates are available for water heaters, low flow fixtures, toilets, solar photovoltaics, geothermal heat pumps, and custom projects.

For water efficiency rebates, contact the City of Aspen Climate Action Office at climate@cityofaspen.com or 970-920-5039.

For custom rebates, schedule a custom rebate consultation by calling at 970-925-9775.

For more information on any of these programs, visit the program website.

Note: Residential and Non-residential Business Customer applications for solar rebates have reached the 2019 program capacity limit. All additional Residential and Non-residential Business Customer applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress are providing rebates to customers who install PV. Each utility will is awarding rebates on a first-come, first-served basis to 10 MW of systems each year. Of this total, 5,000 kW are reserved for residential applications. Of the remaining 5,000 kW, 2,500 kW is reserved for nonprofits. 

The Ames Electric Department provides free energy audits and multiple energy efficiency rebates for commercial and industrial customers. The rebate programs available include: The Appliance Rebate Program, The High Efficiency Heat Pump Program, The Power Factor Correction Rebate Program, and the High Efficiency Lighting Program. 

All programs require that the customer submit a completed application form within 30 days of equipment installation. In addition to specific rebates, AED also offers a custom rebate program of $500 for every kW of load reduced (photovoltaic systems are included in this rebate). Visit the program website to access application forms and additional program information.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offers prescriptive and custom incentives to non-residential customers for the installation of energy saving measures, equipment, or systems that exceed Title 24 or minimum industry standards. Custom incentives are based on estimation software that determines the energy savings for each project. Prior to beginning the project, customers should contact the utility for more information.