Updated: 2/28/2012
Program status: We are now accepting Incentive Reservation Applications for the 2012 Incentive Program. For forms, please click here.
INTRODUCTION AND PROGRAM BACKGROUND
What is the Vermont
Small Scale Renewable
Incentive Program?
The Vermont Solar and Small Wind Incentive Program was originally established pursuant to Renewable Energy Legislation passed by the Vermont State Legislature during the spring of 2003 and signed into law by Governor Douglas on June 17 th , 2003. The Renewable Energy Resource Center (RERC), a project of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, administers the incentive program and provides consumer education and support services relative to the Program.
Are there any changes to the program for 2012?
Yes, the 2012 Incentive Program now includes an Efficiency Adder! Eligibility for the Efficiency adder is based on receiving: Residential - 1. An audit* completed by a BPI certified or Home Performance with Energy Star** participating contractor, State Weatherization service provider or Vermont Gas auditor (existing homes) -OR- 2. Participation and completion of the Vermont Energy Star Homes or Energy Code Plus programs (new construction). Non-residential -1. An audit completed by a participating Building Performance contractor or Vermont Gas auditor -OR- 2. Multifamily building audit by a State Weatherization service provider, participation in Efficiency Vermont Multifamily New Construction or VT Fuel Efficiency Partnership programs -OR- 3. ASHRAE Level 1 audit -OR- 4. Custom incentive agreement from Efficiency Vermont. Documentation of the above must be submitted with the Final Incentive Request. Group net –metered projects must provide proof that at least one home/business in the group has had an audit. Audits performed prior to the reservation application can be used to show compliance as long as the audit was performed in the past two years. The added incentive for those that have at least had an energy audit communicates the importance of energy efficiency and sets the expectation that energy efficiency activities should be an integral part of any state supported energy related project. Efficiency Adder caps are set per customer.
- * Minimum requirements for an audit include: blower-door testing; full CAZ testing; a walk through assessment areas that need to be insulated, and the existing effective R-value of those areas; and a written report of the audit from the contractor to be submitted with final project documentation.
**Please be aware that in order for a customer to access certain energy efficiency incentives though Efficiency Vermont and/or PACE financing they will be required to use a HPwES participating contractor. Group net-metering projects must include one building receiving one of the above measures
For more information on the Efficiency adder, please check here.
Will incentive levels change with the new funding?
Yes.
Are there different incentive amounts depending on customer type?
Yes. There are 3 customer types, each with their own incentive levels: Residential; Commerical and Industrial; and Special Customer. To qualify for an incentive in the Special Customer Category, projects must be for low-income housing non-profits, municipalities, or public schools.
Are there limits on the total amount of incentives per customer?
Yes, for more information on incentive levels please click here. More information on eligibility, please click here and see Section E (and F if applicable) of the Incentive Reservation forms found here.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
What types of renewable energy systems qualify?
New equipment purchased and installed in Vermont:
Solar Electric Systems - Only grid-connected photovoltaic electric systems are eligible for incentives. All new systems must include the components necessary to result in a functional, independent system. Upgrades to existing systems are also eligible, but to be eligible, an upgrade must include new modules with a rated output of at least 1 kW. New modules must be UL 1703 listed. All inverters must be UL 1741 listed or listed by another nationally recognized testing laboratory. All systems must comply will all applicable requirements of the current version of Vermont Public Service Board Rule 5.100.
Solar Hot Water Systems - Solar hot water systems must be complete systems capable of serving domestic hot water loads. The thermal collectors used in the systems must have an OG-100 output rating from the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) or an equivalent organization. Upgrades to existing solar hot water systems are also eligible, but to be eligible, an upgrade must include new collectors with a rated output of at least 15 kBtu/day. Systems that heat water for swimming pool use are not eligible.
Small Wind Systems - Only grid-connected wind energy systems are eligible for incentives. All new systems must include the components necessary to result in a functional, independent system. Upgrades to existing systems are also eligible, but to be eligible, an upgrade must include new turbines with a rated output of at least 1 kW. All inverters must be UL 1741 listed or listed by another nationally recognized testing laboratory. All systems must comply will all applicable requirements of the current version of Vermont Public Service Board Rule 5.100.
Micro-Hydro Systems – Only grid-connected micro-hydro energy systems are eleigible for incentives. All new systems must include the components necessary to result in a functional, independent system. All micro-hydro systems must comply with state and federal laws for hydroelectric systems.
Upgrades to existing systems are eligible and may include: Upgrades or equipment improvements to generating and water handling equipment, permitted changes to intakes, penstock, or raceways resulting in increased energy output.
All inverters must be UL 1741 listed or listed by another nationally recognized testing laboratory. All systems must comply with all applicable requirements of the current version of Vermont Public Service Board Rule 5.100 .
What guidelines or requirements apply to system installation?
All systems must be installed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and all applicable local, state, and federal codes and permits. Solar electric and small wind systems must be interconnected to the electric utility grid and must be installed in accordance with the Vermont Interconnection Safety and Technological Requirements
(VT Public Service Board Order of April 21, 1999) and the National Electric Code®.
All wind, solar electric, and all micro-hydro
systems must operate as interconnected net metered power systems, must comply with all applicable requirements of the current version of Vermont Public Service Board Rule 5.100, and must obtain and provide a Certificate of Public Good pursuant to 30 V.S.A. § 248 from the Vermont Public Service Board. The Public Service Board has recently rolled out their new expedited Certificate of Public Good process for Solar Electric Systems less than 5kW. For further information please click here. When submitting Final Project Documentation, include a copy of the Registration Form, stamped with the date it was submitted to the PSB.
Can I qualify for incentives for a system composed of two or three of the approved technologies?
Yes. Participants are eligible for incentives for systems that include two or three different technologies (wind, solar electric ,solar hot water, and micro-hydro). The combined total incentive amount cannot exceed the incentive limits set for each technology.
Can I qualify for an incentive if I have had an incentive before?
Yes, up to the maximum limits per customer.
Do off-grid systems qualify for incentives?
No - Off-grid systems are not eligible for incentives.
Do portable systems (wind, solar electric, solar thermal hot water, micro-hydro
) qualify?
No - Portable systems are not eligible for incentives under this program.
Are there any restrictions on the type of system inverters?
Yes. Inverters for all systems must be UL 174 listed or listed by another nationally recognized testing laboratory for their intended application.
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION STEPS
There are six primary steps in program participation, with additional certification/permitting required for all micro-hydro systems. Installation cannot begin until the Incentive Reservation Request has been approved. Incentive payments will be paid to the installer and incentive payments for all leased systems will be paid to the lessor.
Are there different requirements for residential and non-residential installations?
No, not for state-funded incentives.
How do I learn about renewable energy systems and installers in Vermont ?
Vermont Solar and Wind Partners are listed here and information can be obtained through our hot line at (877) 888-7372. A Clean Power Estimator is available to help customers evaluate the economics, energy production, and environmental benefits of solar electric and small wind systems.
State and Federal Permit Requirements for Micro-Hydro Projects:
Link to “ Vermont Micro-hydro permitting process” PDF
Links:
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/permits.htm
http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Pages/reg_materials.aspx
http://www.ferc.gov/help/processes/hydro-proj.asp How do I get an incentive reservation form?
Incentive reservation forms are available from Vermont Solar and Wind Partners, or they can be downloaded directly from the RERC website (here) . The reservation form requires the signature of your selected installer. All questions on the reservation form must be completed or it will be returned.
How will I know if and when my incentive reservation application is approved?
Upon the approval of your application, you will be sent an incentive reservation letter that includes an incentive reservation number and expiration date.
What happens after my incentive reservation is approved?
After receiving an approval and incentive reservation number, you should work with your installer to proceed with the installation of the system. After your system is fully installed, your installer will complete and return by mail the Project Documentation and Final Incentive Request Form , which must be signed and dated by you. This form is available from Vermont Solar and Wind Partners, or it can be downloaded directly from the RERC website (www.rerc-vt.org) . The form must be completed and submitted before the deadline date.
Any changes between the system as proposed in the incentive reservation form and the system as installed must be fully documented when the project documentation forms are submitted. Any such changes are subject to review and approval with respect to system eligibility and incentive calculation. If the Project Documentation and Final Incentive Request Forms comply with all of the program requirements, an incentive check will be issued to the homeowner or the installer, depending on the installation category, promptly.
Is the incentive payment taxable?
In most instances, the incentive payments made under this program will be treated as taxable income by the IRS and the State of Vermont . It is the responsibility of the recipient of this incentive payment to consult with his/her tax advisor to determine the correct treatment of these payments for Federal and State tax purposes.
Can I receive the Vermont Business Solar Tax Credit *AND* an incentive?
Yes, customers/Grantees may apply for both an Incentive and the Vermont Business Solar Tax Credit. – please refer to a tax professional for more information.
What if I don't complete the installation within the approved period?
If we do not receive (by fax, email, mail, or delivered in person) the Final Incentive Request and Project Documentation form by the deadline given in the Incentive Reservation approval letter, the reservation will be withdrawn and considered forfeited . Forfeited reserved incentives will be put back into the budget for other incentives. If the installation has not begun by the six month (solar) or 9 month (wind) deadline the customer may reapply, however, if installation has begun, or is finished, and we do not receive final project documentation by the deadline, the customer will forfeit their incentive and be ineligible to reapply for that system .
What if I want to remove the installation after I receive an incentive ?
If a customer/grantee (individual, business, low-income multi-family, school, farm, local-state government) receives an incentive but then removes the installation for which the incentive was approved, the customer will not be granted any further incentives for that specific project type (i.e., solar thermal ), except for in exceptional circumstances as determined by the Renewable Energy Resource Center and the Vermont Department of Public Service. In addition, if a customer/grantee receives an incentive, but then removes the installation for which the incentive was approved, the customer must notify the Dept. of Public Service. The customer has a fiscal obligation to the DPS equal to the incentive amount received from the State of Vermont through the small scale renewable energy incentive program.
How do I know how much incentive money is still available in the program?
Please contact us for current information on funds available: 1-877-888-7372 info@rerc.org *or* click here.
What information is available on the systems that have been installed with program support?
See our Progress Report Page.
Where do I send the Incentive Reservation and Project Documentation Forms?Send all application and project forms to:
Renewable Energy Resource Center
Vermont
Small Scale Renewable Energy
Incentive Program
128 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 401
Burlington , VT 05401-4894
Tel: (877) 888-7372
www.rerc-vt.org
Who are the currently approved Vermont Solar and Wind Partners?
Visit these links to find Renewable Partners: (this will direct you away from this website)
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