Pennsylvania

Solar Legislator Score: ***

Update 9/1/08 -
We’re pleased to inform you that Governor Rendell signed the Alternative Energy Investment fund several weeks ago. However, specific details on how cash is going to flow from the new program to your checking account once you go solar are lacking. As a Pennsylvania homeowner considering solar, you should know the following if you are looking for money:

1. The Energy Cooperative of Pennsylvania will purchase the electricity your solar system produces for 20 cents/kwh. However, to participate in the program, you must be a member of the cooperative and they need to be in demand for your solar electricity as part of their energy mix. For 2008, they have already achieved their target of 3% of its energy coming from solar (By the way 87% comes from hydro-power). So currently, even if you go solar this year, they will not purchase the electricity you produce until they demand more. To be considered for 2009 budgeting they recommend you leave your full name and contact information with their office (800-223-5783 or 215-413-2122).

2. The Sustainable Development Fund historically has granted Pennsylvania homeowners up to $25,000 for qualifying solar systems. That’s a LOT of cash. However, they are now out of cash! Consequently, they are no longer accepting applications this year. Check back later they say. Frustrating, we know.

3. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the bulk of future state grants, rebates and incentives for Pennsylvania home solar installations. They are currently developing the specifics of the consumer and small business programs, as well as the guidelines and application procedures. Hopefully, they get the ball rolling shortly. A lot of Pennsylvanians would like details before the federal tax credits for solar expire.

4. While the state is busy figuring out how the solar rebate and incentive procedures will be structured, we recommend having multiple local installers come out and give you a quote for your solar system in the interim. That way, you’ll know what your upfront cost will be before rebates and you can begin budgeting.

Update 7/16/08 -
Special Session Senate Bill 1
A few weeks ago, the Pennsylvania Senate held a special session and finally passed some meaningful solar energy legislation for home and business-owners. While the bill passed by a 44-5 margin, the House of Representatives still needs to vote on it. The odds are good that this bill passes. So, some congratulations are in order on making it this far. The bill earmarks $650 million for alternative energy investments and is front-loaded over the next two years to provide some immediate impact. Specifically, it provides up to $100 million dollars in loans, grants, and rebates of up to 35% of the purchase and installation costs of solar and PV panels. More information will follow once this bill hopefully becomes law.
While this is great news, the legislature has stalled on passing House Bill 2200. This bill would allow almost all Pennsylvania utility customers to benefit from the implementation of smart utility meters and real time pricing. Many customers do not realize when they are being charged for energy consumed at peak demands. Smart meters would allow those customers to see when their usage is being charged at a higher rate, thus encouraging energy conservation.

Small Business Incentives
Here’s a list of where to get information, help, and most importantly, MONEY, for energy efficient improvements for your small business if you live in Pennsylvania. As far as homeowners are concerned, refer to the update at the top of this page.

1. EMAP, the Environmental Management Assistance Program was created by the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers which have consultants to help you (for free) in anything dealing with Energy Efficiency. Here you can sign up for an energy assessment and someone will come out and see where you would best be benefited by energy efficiency improvements. You can also call 877-ASK-EMAP and get a free consultant to answer any questions about energy efficiency.

2. The Small Business Advantage Program grants money for energy efficiency upgrades like solar power and pollution prevention. That’s free money…. but they’re out of it. Gotta wait till next year.

3. “Growing Greener” is a PA program with a boatload of cash ($600 mil) to dole out for green projects.

4. “Energy Harvest” is another PA grant program where Pennsylvania fights for Federal grant money.

5. “AFIG,” The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program is a fairly small PA grant program with money for things like bio diesel, so if you want to convert your old diesel benzo you might be able to get some free ducats here for that…. But no money for rims :-(… I checked.

6. Yay, more acronyms… The PPAA, or Pollution Prevention Assistance Account Loan Program has low interest loans for small business taking on projects to reduce waste, pollution, or energy use (yay, that mean solar power!). You can get up to 75% of the cost of the project at a rate of, no kidding, 2%… BAM!

7. SAG, the Site Assessment Grant Program funds up to 80 percent of the cost of a site assessment. It’s closed for the time being… call 717-772-8951 to find out if and when it re-opens. Also, while you’re at it, another program out of money that will reopen is PEDA, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority from which you can solicit money….. next year.

8. NEWPA offers some low-interest loans for small business complying with some energy efficient practices.

Hope this helps… this covers the vast majority of ways to get free money or cheap money in Pennsylvania for your solar power projects.

http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/pennsylvania/