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Renewable Energy Incentive Program

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The District Department of the Environment is proud to announce the arrival of an expansive multi-year renewable energy incentive program. Our Renewable Energy Incentive Program is the first of a series of upcoming Green Energy DC initiatives to support clean energy technology.

Beginning February 23, 2009, the program will provide rebates to eligible applicants to assist in the installation of a solar photovoltaic or wind turbine renewable energy system. Additional technology rebates are forthcoming in the second quarter of 2009 as regulations are adopted. Projects may include but are not limited to the installation of systems on single- and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial and institutional buildings.

Program Update (April 30, 2009)

Due to tremendous interest in the incentive program for 2009, it is oversubscribed beyond the allocated budget of $2 million per fiscal year. DDOE is seeking additional funding for 2009 through the District of Columbia’s allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Until this funding is budgeted, we are still accepting prequalification applications online. Reservation numbers will carry over into future funding queues, with the understanding that new rebate requests will not be fulfilled until reservations currently in the queue are disbursed. Funding for Fiscal Year 2010 will be available after October 1, 2009.

Waiting List for Projects Not Yet Funded* (updated 11-04-09)

A total of $2 million in funding is available per program year, from fiscal year 2009-2012.

How to Apply

Download the Guide to DC Photovoltaic Incentives*
Contact a local vendor to assess your site and determine your system needs.
Complete the prequalification application using the information from your assessment.
Once you are prequalified, you will be issued a reservation number.
If funds are still available for the program year, you may submit a full program application to receive a rebate.
If funds are no longer available for the program year, your reservation number is held for 12 months.

Incentive Structure

Photovoltaic and wind incentives are based on the combined system rating in kilowatt DC output.

$3 for each of the first 3,000 installed watts of capacity

$2 for each of the next 7,000 installed watts of capacity

$1 for each of the next 10,000 installed watts of capacity

Solar thermal, geothermal, biomass and methane recovery technologies produce energy in kilowatt equivalents. Conversion factors for incentives that apply to these systems will be provided at the time rebates become available. Rebates for all systems are capped at a maximum of $33,000 (at 20 kilowatts capacity or greater) for each applicant site per program year.

Source of Rebate Funding

The source of these incentives is the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF), as established under the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008. The program is is administered through the District Department of Environment-Energy Office and will be overseen by the District of Columbia’s Sustainable Energy Utility.

Eligible Organizations/Entities

Individual residents, non-governmental organizations, businesses and private schools may apply.

Non-Eligible Organizations/Entities	Eligible Technologies
The following entities are not eligible to apply for DC Renewable Energy Incentive Program rebates: United States federal government Electricity utilities and suppliers Natural gas utilities and suppliers Heating oil suppliers District of Columbia government agencies District of Columbia Public Schools	Eligible projects include a variety of renewable energy technologies that will be located within the District of Columbia and have yet to begin construction as of February 23, 2009. Solar Photovoltaic Wind Turbines

Rebate Period

Rebates will remain active for a period of six months (6 months) from the date of the award. The incentive contract requires installations to be completed in 6 months. If the system is not completed within 6 months, the system owner may request in writing a six-month extension. If an extension is not requested and/or the project timeline exceeds 12 months from the award date, the applicant is to return the rebate to DDOE. Failure to return the rebate will constitute a lien on the owner's real and personal property to secure repayment.

Upcoming Incentives

Solar Thermal Water and Space Heating - 2nd Quarter 2009
Geothermal 2nd Quarter 2009 Biomass – 2nd Quarter 2009
Methane/Waste Gas Capture – 2nd Quarter 2009

Application Materials:

Renewable Energy Incentive Program – Application Packet (updated 02-13-09)
- Prequalification Application Form
- Guide to DC Photovoltaic Incentives*
District-Area Renewable Energy Suppliers and Installers* (updated 03-05-09)

Additional Information:

Federal Tax Credits Available for Solar and Energy Efficiency Projects
The District of Columbia does not offer tax incentives at this time.
Solar Photovoltaic Consumer Guide*
How Solar Electric Systems Work (US Department of Energy)
Estimate Your PV System's Output with PV WATTS (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL)
A Homebuilder’s Guide to Going Solar* (U.S. Department of Energy)

For more information, contact the DDOE Energy Office at (202) 673-6700 or greenenergy@dc.gov.

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