Rebates & Incentives from Utilities
CALIFORNIA
Executive Order S-20-04 and the accompanying the Green Building Action Plan direct the State to use aggressive action to reduce the volume of energy purchased from the grid in State facilities 20 percent by 2015. In so doing, the State is taking all cost-effective measures and financing opportunities described in the Green Building Action Plan, which also directs the State to purchase or operate ENERGY STAR® electrical equipment whenever cost-effective.

The California Public Utility Commission (PUC) launched the most ambitious energy efficiency and conservation campaign in the history of the U.S. utility industry by authorizing energy efficiency plans and $2 billion in funding for 2006-2008 for the State's utilities, reaffirming that cost-effective energy efficiency is the State's first line of defense against power shortages.

Each of California's investor-owned utilities administers energy efficiency programs designed specifically to meet their customers' needs. The utilities oversee a set of programs to decrease energy use in the following areas:

· Lighting & Appliances programs are designed to improve consumer awareness of the energy and non-energy benefits of efficient lighting and appliances, increase the availability and demand for these products, and promote emerging technologies.

· Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems programs focus on HVAC systems seek to encourage the replacement of inefficient systems with efficient ones, increase consumer recognition of ENERGY-STAR® products, increase training of trade professionals in efficient HVAC systems, encourage design using the "whole-systems" approach, and support the improvement of efficiency standards.

· Motors programs promote optimal motor system design and sizing, facilitate consumer purchase of efficient motors and increase the understanding of motor life-cycle costs.

· Retrofits and Renovation programs are designed to increase energy efficient investments at the time of retrofit, renovation, or sale of a home, link interested customers with providers of energy retrofit services and increase the training of professionals who perform energy efficient retrofits. The utilities also administer programs that target customers when investment decisions are made - during retrofits and renovations and during the new construction of buildings and homes.

New Construction programs seek to increase the number of energy efficient new homes and buildings being built, promote the ENERGY-STAR® New Homes brand, raise awareness of the existence and benefits of energy efficient home mortgages, promote energy efficiency in the professions of architecture and engineering, and promote construction exceeding Title 24 building standards.

Additional Resources for Rebates, Grants & Loans

· Flex Your Power provides energy efficiency and conservation information, as well as an online directory of financial incentives for energy-efficient products and projects offered by utility companies.

· SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)

Energy Efficiency Programs

Lighting & Appliances

The lighting and appliance programs are designed to (1) improve consumer awareness of the energy and non-energy benefits of efficient lighting and appliances, (2) increase the availability and demand for these products, and (3) promote emerging technologies. Specific techniques applied in a variety of different programs include the following:

· Promoting ENERGY-STAR® products.

· Offering direct rebates to consumers of energy efficient products.

· Educating consumers, manufacturers and distributors of energy efficient products using web-sites, newsletters, educational workshops, and on-site auditing.

· Targeting multifamily units for volume purchasing of these products.

· Offering financial incentives to manufacturers to increase the supply and lower the price of these product.

· Providing equipment replacement subsidies or rebates.

· Showcasing new technologies at important consumer locations.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems

Programs focused on HVAC systems seek to: (1) encourage the replacement of inefficient systems with efficient ones, (2) increase consumer recognition of ENERGY-STAR® products, (3) increase training of trade professionals in efficient HVAC systems, (4) encourage design using the "whole-systems" approach, and (5) support the improvement of efficiency standards. These programs accomplish these goals by:

· Educating consumers through bill inserts and call centers.

· Providing training and technical assistance to HVAC contractors and distributors.

· Providing financial incentives to distributors and installers for stocking and installing efficient units.

· Managing Standard Performance Contract (SPC) programs for commercial customers.

· Providing financing to residential customers for energy efficient HVAC projects.

Motors

This set of programs endeavors to: (1) promote optimal motor system design and sizing, (2) facilitate consumer purchase of efficient motors and (3) increase the understanding of motor life-cycle costs. These programs accomplish these goals by:

· Providing information to customers planning to buy, sell or renovate a building on retrofit providers and ENERGY-STAR® windows, equipment, lighting, appliances, etc.

· Making energy audits available to customers to assist them in determining their efficiency retrofit needs.

· Providing training and technical assistance for trade professionals through libraries and trade shows.

· Providing financing to residential customers for energy efficient projects.

Retrofits and Renovations

These programs are designed to: (1) increase energy efficient investments at the time of retrofit, renovation, or sale of a home, (2) link interested customers with providers of energy retrofit services and (3) increase the training of professionals who perform energy efficient retrofits. The utilities also administer programs that target customers when investment decisions are made - during retrofits and renovations and during the new construction of buildings and homes. These programs accomplish these goals by:

· Providing information to customers planning to buy, sell or renovate a building on retrofit providers and ENERGY-STAR® windows, equipment, lighting, appliances, etc.

· Making energy audits available to customers to assist them in determining their efficiency retrofit needs.

· Providing training and technical assistance for trade professionals through libraries and trade shows.

· Providing financing to residential customers for energy efficient projects.

New Construction

These programs seek to (1) increase the number of energy efficient new homes and buildings being built, (2) promote the ENERGY-STAR® New Homes brand, (3) raise awareness of the existence and benefits of energy efficient home mortgages, (4) promote energy efficiency in the professions of architecture and engineering, and (5) promote construction exceeding Title 24 building standards.

Market participants include consumers looking to buy new homes and decision makers in new construction projects; builders, contractors, and manufacturers; real estate agents and mortgage professionals; and architects, engineers and students.

Programs include the following:

· Targeting information to customers to promote energy efficient homes and mortgages.

· Recognizing new developments that include exemplary energy efficient homes.

· Offering training, design assistance, and information to trade professionals.

· Offering training to sales agents to enable them to more effectively sell efficiency upgrades to home-buyers.

· Holding a "green" building design competition for students to encourage formal education in energy efficiency.

· Offering financial incentives to builders of ENERGY-STAR® homes and to the owners, builders, or developers of efficient commercial buildings.

Updated 3/21/2007

See Federal Incentives

See All Summaries

See Homeowner Incentive Summaries Only

Financial Incentives

Green Building Incentive

* Marin County - Marin's BEST! Energy Incentive Program

* San Diego County - Green Building Program

· Santa Monica - Building Permit Fee Waiver for Solar Projects

· Santa Monica - Expedited Permitting for Green Buildings

Leasing/Lease Purchase

· Santa Clara Water & Sewer - Solar Water Heating Program

Local Grant Program

· Santa Monica - Green Building Grant Program

Local Rebate Program

· Marin County - Solar Rebate Program

Personal Deduction

· Tax Deduction for Interest on Loans for Energy Efficiency

Production Incentive

· SCE - Biomass Standard Contract

· Supplemental Energy Payments (SEPs)

Property Tax Exemption

· Property Tax Exemption for Solar Systems

State Loan Program

· Energy Efficiency Financing Program

State Rebate Program

· California Solar Initiative Incentives

· Emerging Renewables Program

· Self-Generation Incentive Program

Utility Loan Program

Utility Rebate Program

· Anaheim Public Utilities - PV Buydown Program

· Burbank Water & Power - Residential & Commercial Solar Support Program

· Colton Public Utilities - PV Rebate Program

· Glendale Water and Power - Solar Solutions Program

· Hercules Municipal Utility - PV Rebate Program

· IID Energy - PV Solutions Rebate Program

· LADWP - Solar Incentive Program

· Palo Alto Utilities - PV Partners

· Pasadena Water and Power - Solar Power Installation Rebate

· Redding Electric - Earth Advantage Rebate Program

· Riverside Public Utilities - Energy Efficiency Construction Incentive

· Riverside Public Utilities - Residential PV Incentive Program

· Roseville Electric - PV Buy Down Program

· Silicon Valley Power - Solar Electric Buy Down Program

· SMUD - Non-Residential PV Buydown

· SMUD - PV Pioneers Residential Buy-down

· SMUD - Solar Water Heater Rebate Program

· Turlock Irrigation District - Residential PV Rebate

· Ukiah Utilities - PV Buy-down Program

Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Incentives

U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center

Rules, Regulations & Policies

Building Energy Code

· Marin County - Single Family Dwelling Energy Efficiency Ordinance

Contractor Licensing

· Solar Contractor Licensing

Energy Standards for Public Buildings

· Berkeley - Green Building Standards for City Owned and Operated Projects

· Green Building Action Plan for State Facilities

· San Diego - Sustainable Building Policy

· San Jose - Green Building Program

Generation Disclosure

· Power Source Disclosure Program

Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation

· Davis - Green Power Purchasing

· San Diego - Green Power Purchasing

· San Francisco - Renewable Energy Purchasing

· Santa Monica - Green Power Purchasing

Interconnection

· Interconnection Standards

Net Metering Rules

· California - Net Metering

Public Benefits Fund

· Public Benefits Funds for Renewables & Efficiency

Renewables Portfolio Standard

· Renewables Portfolio Standard

Solar Access Law/Guideline

· Los Angeles - Zoning Code

· Marin County - Solar Access Code

· Sacramento - Zoning and Subdivision Regulations

· San Diego County - Solar Access Regulations

· San Jose - Solar Access Design Guidelines

· Santa Cruz - Solar Access Ordinance

· Santa Cruz County - Solar Access Protection

· Sebastopol - Solar Access

· Solar Easement and the Solar Shade Control Act

· Solar Rights Act

Solar/Wind Permitting Standards

· Oakland - Self Certification for Renewables

· San Jose - Solar Hot Water Heaters & Photovoltaic Systems Permit Requirements

Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Policies

U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center

Related Programs & Initiatives

Green Power Network: Buying Green Power in Your State

· The U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network provides news and information on green power markets and related activities. This site provides state-by-state information on Green Power Marketing in Competitive Electricity Markets and Utility Green Pricing Programs.

In addition, the site lists marketers of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)(also known as green tags or tradable renewable certificates), which represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from a renewable energy project. Whether or not consumers have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer, consumers can purchase RECs without having to switch electricity suppliers.

Wind Powering America

The U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America site provides state-by-state wind project information, including validated wind maps, anemometer loan programs, small wind guides, legislative briefings, wind working groups, and state-specific news.

Illinois Incentives for Renewable Energy

See Federal Incentives

See All Summaries

See Homeowner Incentive Summaries Only

Financial Incentives

Green Building Incentive

· Chicago - Green Permit Program

Private Grant Program

· Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants

Property Tax Exemption

· Special Assessment for Renewable Energy Systems

State Grant Program

· Small Wind Grant Program

· Solar Thermal Grant Program

· Wind Energy Production Development Program

State Rebate Program

· Renewable Energy Resources Program Rebates

Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Incentives

U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center  

Rules, Regulations & Policies

Generation Disclosure

· Fuel Mix and Emissions Disclosure

Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation

· City of Evanston - Green Power Purchase

· Illinois - Green Power Purchasing

Interconnection

· ComEd - Interconnection Guidelines

Net Metering Rules

· ComEd - Wind & Photovoltaic Generation Program

Public Benefits Fund

· Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund (RERTF)

Renewables Portfolio Standard

· Renewable Portfolio Goal

Solar/Wind Permitting Standards

Pike County - Wind Turbine Siting Standards

Department of the Treasury Releases Rules for Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

Congress Extends Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient Homes and Commercial Buildings
Congress has passed and President Bush has signed legislation that extends the tax incentives for energy efficient new homes and commercial building to December 31, 2008. All of the provisions for the incentives remain the same.

The IRS has issued the rules for the new federal tax credits for residential energy efficiency available under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Energy Efficient Homes

Under the provision for energy efficient homes, an eligible contractor who constructs a qualified new energy efficient home may qualify for a credit of up to $2,000. The credit is available for all new homes, including manufactured homes constructed in accordance with the Federal Manufactured Homes Construction and Safety Standards.

The home qualifies for the credit if:

• It is located in the United States;
• Its construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005;
• It meets the statutory energy saving requirements, and
• It is acquired from the eligible contractor after December 31, 2005, and before January 1, 2008, for use as a residence.

In general, to meet the energy saving requirements, a home must be certified to provide a level of heating and cooling energy consumption that is at least 30 to 50 percent in the case of manufactured homes, and 50 percent for other homes below that of a comparable home constructed in accordance with the standards of the 2004 Supplement to the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code. It must also have building envelope component improvements providing a level of heating and cooling energy consumption that is at least 10 percent below that of a comparable home.

• Manufactured homes can also qualify for the credit by meeting Energy Star standards.
• Site-built homes qualify for a $2,000 credit if they reduce energy consumption by 50 percent relative to the International Energy Conservation Code standard.
• Manufactured homes qualify for a $1,000 or $2,000 credit depending on the level of energy savings achieved. The guidance provides information about the certification process that a builder must complete to qualify for the credit. The guidance also provides for a public list of software programs that may be used in calculating energy consumption for purposes of obtaining a certification.

Click on Notice 2006-27 for the IRS guidance for the tax credit for building energy efficient homes other than manufactured homes. The IRS rules states that "An eligible certifier is a person that is not related (within the meaning of § 45(e)(4)) to the eligible contractor and has been accredited or otherwise authorized by RESNET (or an equivalent rating network) to use energy performance measurement methods approved by RESNET (or the equivalent rating network). An employee or other representative of a utility or local building regulatory authority may qualify as an eligible certifier if the employee or representative has been accredited or otherwise authorized by RESNET (or an equivalent rating network) to use the approved energy performance measurement methods". To download the RESNET procedures click on Procedures for Certifying Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for New Homes.

RESNET has amended the procedures to incorporate the normalized modified loads calculation of energy use and has published the revised document RESNET Publication No. 06-001.

The IRS has announced that it will accept verification of homes calculated through the method contained in RESNET Publication No. 05-001 or RESNET Publication No. 05-006. To download the IRS announcement click on Standards for Calculating Energy Savings for the New Energy Efficient Home Credit. Internal Revenue Code 45L.

In order to provide clearer guidance in complying with the RESNET Procedures for Certifying Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits the RESNET Board of Directors adopts and posts formal interpretations on the procedures. To view these interpretations click on RESNET Interpretations on Procedures for Certifying Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits.

For a listing of RESNET accredited providers click on National Directory of Accredited Rating Providers. The IRS Notive 2006-27 states that the IRS would recognize organizations "otherwise authorized" to verify a home's energy performance for the tax credit. For a listing of organizations that have been otherwise authorized by RESNET click on Organizations Otherwise Authorized by RESNET.

The RESNET Board of Directors have adopted a policy that would govern proposals for prescriptive programs for verification of homes for the tax credit for energy efficient homes. To view the new policy click on RESNET Policy on Conducting and Documenting Worse-Case Analysis.

To learn how to apply for a software program to become accredited as a tax credit compliance software tool click on How to have a tax credit compliance tool accredited by RESNET. To view the software tools that have been accredited by RESNET as a tax credit compliance software click on Accredited Tax Credit Software Tools.

RESNET now requires that the rating firm/individual must also carry professional liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000. The rater will have to provide a signed statement to RESNET declaring this coverage. This statement also includes language that states the rater's or rater company's awareness that falsifying the certification of a home for the tax credit can lead to sanctions up to and including the loss of the ability to certify homes for the tax credit in the future. To view the new requirement click on Requirements to Certify the Energy Efficient Homes Credit.

Click on Notice 2006-28 for guidance for the credit for building energy efficient manufactured homes.

Click on Energy Efficient Home for the IRS tax form (Form 8908) to down load the form to calculate the tax credit for energy efficient homes.

Click on IRS Eligible Software Programs for the IRS' web site of approved tax credit software compliance tools.

Frequently Asked Questions for Builders About the Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for New Homes

Frequently Asked Questions from Home Energy Raters About the Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for New Homes

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a federal tax credit for builders for each homes that exceeds the energy performance threshold spelled out in the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. There has been a question whether builders could economically achieve the energy performance threshold to qualify for the tax credit. To provide real life examples of homes that have met the tax credit RESNET has posted examples of homes that have qualified for the tax credit in a variety of regions across the nation. To view these documents click on examples of homes qualifying for federal tax credit for energy efficient homes.

Existing Homes

During 2006, individuals can make energy-conscious purchases that will provide tax benefits when filling out their tax returns next year. The credit will also be available for purchases in 2007. Manufacturers offering energy efficient items such as insulation or storm windows can assure their customers that their energy efficient items will qualify for the tax credit if certain energy efficiency requirements are met.

A recent tax law c

improvements. To qualify, a component must meet or exceed the criteria established by the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements) and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.

The following items are eligible:

• Insulation systems that reduce heat loss/gain
• Exterior windows (including skylights)
• Exterior doors
• Metal roofs (meeting applicable Energy Star requirements).

In addition, the law provides a credit for costs relating to residential energy property expenses. To qualify as residential energy property, the property must meet certification requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.

The following items are eligible:

• $50 for each advanced main air circulating fan
• $150 for each qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water heater
• $300 for each item of qualified energy efficient property.

The maximum credit for all taxable years is $500 – no more than $200 of the credit can be attributable to expenses for windows.

Additionally, the new law makes a credit available to those who add qualified solar panels, solar water heating equipment, or a fuel cell power plant to their homes in the United States. In general, a qualified fuel cell power plant converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means, has an electricity–only generation efficiency of more than 30 percent and generates at least 0.5 kilowatts of electricity.

Taxpayers are allowed one credit equal to 30 percent of the qualified investment in a solar panel up to a maximum credit of $2,000, and another equivalent credit for investing in a solar water heating system. No part of either system can be used to heat a pool or hot tub.

Additionally, taxpayers are also allowed a 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of qualified fuel cell power plants. The credit may not exceed $500 for each .5 kilowatt of capacity.

These items must be placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005 and before Jan. 1, 2008.

Click on Notice 2006-26 for guidance to the existing homes credit

Commercial Buildingshange provides a tax credit to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. The law provides a 10 percent credit for buying qualified energy efficiency.

This provision offers business taxpayers a deduction of $1.80 per square foot for commercial buildings that achieve a 50% reduction in annual energy cost to the user, compared to a base building defined by the industry standard ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2001. Energy costs refer only to heating, cooling, lighting and water heating, since only these uses are within the scope of the ASHRAE standard and within the control of the building designer. Each of the three energy-using systems of the building — the envelope, the heating, cooling and water heating system, and lighting system — is eligible for one third of the incentive if it meets its share of the whole-building savings goal. Explicit interim compliance procedures are provided for lighting.

Eligible buildings include commercial buildings such as: offices, retail buildings, warehouses, etc., rental housing of four stories or more, and publicly-owned buildings. For publicly-owned buildings, there is an interesting provision allowing the credit to pass through to the "person primarily responsible for designing the building."

New construction in an existing building is also eligible for the tax deduction, with one third of the deduction amount for new construction that affects the new energy-using system (such as lighting or heating, cooling and water heating).

Click on Notice 2006-52 for guidance to the commercial buildings deduction.

Other Tax Credit Resources

· Tax Incentives Assistance Project

· Florida Solar Energy Center's EP Act 2005: Opportunities for Conservation and Energy Efficiency

Rebates and incentives for solar electric system

There are many benefits to solar power, including both public and private subsidies, energy independence and a reduction of dangerous emissions from power generated by fossil fuels. The sun produces the cleanest energy available and is an abundant, renewal source.
Solar electric power delivers its greatest financial benefit during peak periods, when electric supplies generated from utilities are limited and electric rates are at their highest price.

To promote the benefits of solar electric power and to lower the initial capital cost of deploying solar electric power systems, federal, state and regional government policy makers are driving new programs to incentivize consumers with rebates, tax incentives, grants and more. The State of California has led the way in promoting solar electric energy with the Million Solar Roofs bill, SB1, and the California Solar Initiative (CSI).

Energy Tax Credits

Specific federal and state tax laws allow companies to credit a portion of the purchase price of solar electric power systems against their annual tax payment.

The California Solar Initiative - CSI

As part of the Million Solar Roofs Program, California has set a goal to create 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-produced electricity by 2017.

Through the California Solar Initiative, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) provides incentives over the next decade for existing new and exisiting commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties.

The goal of the Million Solar Roofs Program is to help build a self-sustaining photovoltaic, solar electricity market. The current program does not fund solar hot water systems.

The California Solar Initiative Offers:

• Photovoltaic incentives starting at $2.50 per watt for systems up to one megawatt in size.
• For systems greater than one megawatt, there is a pay-for-performance incentive structure to reward high-performing solar projects.

California Solar Photovoltaic Rebates

Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB)
The EPBB program provides a one-time rebate payment based on the expected energy production of solar photovoltaic systems that are less than 100 kilowatts.

Performance-Based Incentives (PBI)

The PBI program provides a monthly rebate payment over a 5-year period for solar photovoltaic systems that are equal to or greater than 100 kilowatts. This rebate is based on the actual production of the solar photovoltaic system and results in a larger total rebate than the EPBB rebate program.

Renewable Energy Credits

Where available, Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) occur in areas based on the production of clean power. Many utilities are required to buy a specific number of RECs from clean power generators to meet state mandated Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), or RECs may be traded on the open market to willing buyers.

Links to Regional-specific Public Policies

Greenline Energy works closely with Regional Utilities and Public Policy Agencies to apply for and reserve solar electric power incentives for our customers.

Federal

www.dsireusa.org - a comprehensive source of information on U.S. state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.

! Let the Wind Pay Your Electric Bill & Save the Planet at the same time

	Illinois electricity costs are going up much faster than the national average. But, you can insulate your family or business from surging electric rates by installing your own wind power generator.
	The best part is the State could pay for up to half of it! The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), is now soliciting grant applications for up to 50% of the cost of installing a small wind system. This is one of the best clean energy incentive programs in the country. The grants are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and grant applications are due April 30, 2007.
	A full program description is available at the DSIRE web site (click here). The DCEO Small Wind Grant Program forms and detailed rules are available on-line from the DCEO (click here).
	With a DCEO grant, the payback may be in as little as 7 -10 years! But, remember, you will be paying the money anyway - to the utility company. Financially, buying a home wind system is vastly superior to just purchasing all your electricity from the power company. It's like the difference between renting a home and buying a home. So, rather than calling it a "pay back period", it would be more accurate to call it a "payment transfer period". At the end you have free electricity.
	Our dealers offer full turnkey installations services and they can assist with your grant applications. For a list of our Illinois dealers - Click here
	A small wind system will provide you with a return on your investment of 10 - 20% - tax-free - depending on your usage and wind resource. This is equivalent to a 14% - 28% return on a taxable investment! Compare that to 4% from a money market account, 5% from a long-term CD, or negative earnings from mutual funds over the last few years. Want to do your own payback analysis? - click here for our free MS Excel spreadsheet model.
	A small wind system really helps the environment! Over its minimum 30 year operating life, a Bergey residential/farm wind system in Illinois will save approximately 430,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 3,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 1,000 pounds of nitrogen dioxide that would have been produced by the utility's fossil fuel power plants. It is the equivalent of planting 2 acres of trees or taking 1.25 vehicles off the road.
	Our most popular package, and the best selling home and farm wind system in America, is the 10 kW Excel-S "GridTek" system. Click here to jump to a description.
	Would you like us to contact you or send information by mail? Click here.
	Modest wind resources are fine for small wind systems. Wind resources are sufficient in most parts of Illinois. In some places they are excellent. See the map connection below to determine your wind resource.
	Wind Resource Map: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has prepared a detailed digital wind map for the state. The map is more detailed than the old US-DOE map, but it was prepared with windfarms in mind, not small wind systems. Therefore, the minimum assumed tower height is 50 m (164 ft) and they characterize good wind resources for small turbines as being "poor". What they mean is poor for windfarms. To see the new map, click here. Even the regions shown as "poor" will likely have sufficient wind for a small wind system. To see the old US-DOE map, click here.
	Want a primer on buying a small wind system? We recommend a helpful booklet, Buying a Small Wind Electric System - A California Consumer's Guide ... you can download it by clicking here (130 KB PDF). Some material isn't relevant to New York, but it will make you a smarter consumer.

FEDERAL TAX CREDIT INFORMATION

Guide to Federal Tax Incentives - The Solar Energy Industries Association has developed helpful guidance and tips for safe and effective use of the new federal tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. (To download the guide, SEIA will ask you to enter your name and email address)
» Click to Download

The Energy Star program also has information related to » tax credits for Consumers (Home Improvements, Cars, Solar Energy Systems, Fuel Cells), Tax Credits for Home Builders, Tax Credits for Appliance Manufacturers, and Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings.

» DOE Building Tech Program has more information about tax credits and other helpful links.

There are many state, federal and local incentives available to help pay for the cost of installing renewable energy systems. Here is a Database of Grants and Rebates.

IRS Releases Guidance on Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued guidance on the tax credits for new energy efficient homes and for energy efficiency improvements to existing homes, as established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A credit of up to $2,000 is available for eligible contractors who build a qualified new energy efficient home and sell it either this year or next. The credit is available for all new homes, including manufactured homes constructed in accordance with the Federal Manufactured Homes Construction and Safety Standards. See the IRS press release and the guidance for traditional homes (PDF 25 KB) and manufactured homes (PDF 36 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

For existing homes, the law provides a 10 percent credit for buying qualified energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, reflective metal roofs, insulated exterior doors, and energy efficient exterior windows and skylights. The law also provides residential tax credits of $50 for each advanced main air circulation fan and $150 for qualified furnaces or hot water heaters fueled with natural gas, propane, or oil. That credit increases to $300 for qualified heat pump water heaters; high-efficiency water heaters, boilers, furnaces, and central air conditioners; and geothermal heat pumps. To earn the credit, the improvements must be made this year or next year. The maximum credit for both years is $500, of which expenses for windows can provide no more than $200. Manufacturers of these products may certify them as eligible for the tax credits, in which case the homeowner can rely on the certification to claim the credit. See the IRS press release and the full IRS guidance (PDF 37 KB).

To help homeowners take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits, the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) has created a special tax credits Web site. ASE has also issued state-by-state energy saving tips for 37 states and the District of Columbia, and has published a free consumer booklet of energy saving tips called "Power$mart: The Power Is In Your Hands." See the ASE Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Web site, the ASE press release and Web site for the state-by-state energy tips, and the ASE press release and Web site for the Power$mart booklet.

IRS Allocates $800 Million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds: The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allocated $800 million in "tax-credit" bonds for a total of 610 renewable energy projects to be located throughout the United States. Unlike normal bonds that pay interest, tax-credit bonds pay the bondholders by providing a credit against their federal income tax. In effect, the new tax-credit bonds, called "Clean Renewable Energy Bonds," will provide interest-free financing for certain renewable energy projects. Since the federal government essentially pays the interest via tax credits, the IRS needed to allocate such credits in advance to the lending authorities, which can be state or local governments or electrical cooperatives. The IRS allocated the Clean Renewable Energy Bonds under a new program established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. See Internal Revenue Bulletin 2006-10, which was issued on March 6th, 2006. The new bond allocations range from $23,000 to $31 million and are set aside for 434 solar energy facilities, 112 wind power installations, 36 landfill gas facilities, 14 hydropower plants, 13 biomass power plants, and one refined coal production facility. Of course, each of these projects may require other forms of financing and will probably need approval from permitting authorities, so it is unlikely that all 610 projects will actually be built. The IRS had to select the projects from among 709 applications for 786 projects, for which the lending authorities requested a total of $2.6 billion in bond allocations.

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Southern California residents may be eligible for rebates from local water providers on the following items. Not all rebate programs are available in all areas. Check with your local water provider to learn more about program eligibility.   Rotating Sprinklers Upgrade your sprinklers with new, water-saving nozzles that keep your landscape healthy while reducing run-off.       Smart sprinkler controllers that make sure your plants get the right amount of water for the time of year, climate and weather. Water-saving toilets, Replace a 3.0 gallons/flush toilet with one that is 1.6 gallons/flush or less and receive from $30 to $165, depending on the toilet you select and the incentive offered from your local water provider. Choose a toilet from one of these lists: Ultra-Low-Flush Toilet High-efficiency clothes washers, Buy a new HECW that uses less water and energy than conventional washers and qualify for an incentive from your local provider. Qualifying HECW list with a water factor of 6.0 or less. Click here to find out what programs and rebates are available through your local water provider. Residential Program contact Maria Biel (213) 217-6416. Find your local water provider and learn more about your city or community's rebate programs. Enter your Zip Code: This search function finds water providers in Metropolitan Water District's service area.
	Business, industry and institutional customers can go to a specialized web site to learn about rebates available in Southern California. to encourage water efficiency. Save A Buck Incentives for industrial water saving improvements Industrial Incentives Commercial and industrial water users adopting water-saving processes are eligible for financial assistance. Large Landscape Program Step up to the latest water-saving devices and strategies for sites of one acre or more. The California Friendly Model Home program offers financial incentives to builders to encourage the installation of water-efficient landscaping, fixtures and appliances in new model homes. All three of these elements—landscape, fixtures and appliances—can provide significant water savings for the homeowner without sacrifice. Contact Carlos Michelon at (213) 217-6645 or Charles Gale, Jr. at (213) 217-5538. Up to $2,500 is available to builders per model home for Dual-flush toilets or 1 gallon toilets: $100 each up to three units High-efficiency clothes washer: $400 Smart sprinkler controller: $200 Landscaping that meets California Friendly specifications ($0.80/square feet up to 2,000 square feet)

For additional detail see: www.bewaterwise.com



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