SOLAR REBATE PROGRAM
Sangre De Cristo Electric and Governor’s Energy Office Team Together – Launching Solar Rebate Program
SDCEA has been officially notified that their grant application was accepted by the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Residential Solar Program (Photovoltaic) for $25,000 funding from the GEO. Jeff Lyng, Commercial Buildings and Solar Program Manager stated, “We commend you for your desire to participate and your contribution to helping bring solar technologies within the reach of more Colorado citizens through this program.” SDCEA was selected from 39 eligible entities as one of the 22 that will be Program Partners.
SDCEA’s CEO, Paul Erickson is “very excited that we are able to help those interested in Photovoltaic projects in our service territory. The GEO’s program has made it possible for us to encourage renewable energies be added to our system.”
SDCEA will launch information about the program guidelines on their website at www.myelectric.coop on May 1st. Please review the information and program guidelines thoroughly to determine if you are an eligible to participate.
SDCEA SOLAR PV REBATE INFORMATION
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) has announced the launch of its Residential Solar Program. This program was created in response to the growing demand of homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint, participate in the New Energy Economy, and to take advantage of Colorado's abundant solar resources. This program is an important step toward making solar technologies more accessible to residents in areas of the state that have not been able to take advantage of Solar Electric rebate programs in the past. Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, Inc. (SDCEA) is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of the initial 22 Residential Solar Program partners to participate in this pilot program.
If you are interested in participating in this program, please review and complete the necessary steps below.
PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a direct-to-homeowner rebate from the state. All qualified rebates will be awarded from SDCEA directly to a solar vendor selected by the homeowner. Rebates will be processed in the order they are qualified until the allocated money is exhausted. To become eligible for the rebate, you must agree to and complete all steps in the following qualification process.
Step 1 (Qualifications): In order to qualify for a Solar PV Rebate, you must have an established residential (non-commercial) account number with SDCEA, as well as a satisfactory payment history. The home must be your primary residence. Seasonal or part-time residents do not qualify. Businesses do not qualify, and homes that are off-grid do not qualify. Any Solar installation in progress before the launch of our program does not qualify. If you operate a business out of your home, you may still qualify as the “homeowner,” but the business does not qualify and cannot participate.
Step 2 (Expected Cost): A typical Residential Solar PV installation is 3000 - 3500 watts DC, at a cost of approximately $8/watt installed price. At this output rating, you can expect the initial total cost to range from $24,000 to $28,000. If you qualify, you may receive a Residential Solar PV Rebate of $1/watt, with a maximum rebate of $3000. In addition, if you meet certain conditions, SDCEA may offer you a 5 year, interest free loan for a maximum amount of $5000. This loan will require a non-refundable $100 origination fee. Both the rebate, and any loan amount will go directly from SDCEA to the Solar PV vendor you select, to reduce the initial cost of your system by up to $8000. At the present time, there is also a Federal Tax Credit of up to $2000 assuming your tax status will allow you to claim this credit.
Step 3 (Site Analysis): This program requires a Site Analysis, as well as a Basic Energy Audit which is non-refundable at a cost of $350 (plus possible travel expense depending upon your location). This analysis and audit will be performed by an independent 3rd party not associated with SDCEA to insure all parties receive an unbiased report. The Site Analysis will determine that the Solar PV installation will provide 90% or greater of optimum orientation output; less than 90% disqualifies the location. The Basic Energy Audit will identify energy efficiency improvements which are a crirical critical first step when considering renewable energy systems. These improvements are often simple and inexpensive, but very effective, energy effiiciency upgrades that can be considered, instead of or parallel with the installation of an alternative energy source. Successful completion of this step will establish you as being pre-qualified for selecting a Solar PV vendor and receiving a complete cost estimate.
Click here: http://headwatersenergy.com/existing-home-energy-audit.html for more information on the Site Analysis, and Basic Energy Audit, as well as other more in-depth audits you may wish to consider.
Step 4 (Solar PV Vendors): Your next step is to select a Solar PV vendor/installer. All vendors on our list have agreed to adhere to all of the steps and rules of our rebate program. If you select a vendor not on our list, be sure they contact SDCEA so that they understand and agree to our program. Failure to adhere to our program will result in disqualification.
AC Solar
www.acsolar.com
(719) 966-2319 (Chaffee, Lake Counties)
(800) 784-3603 (Fremont, Custer, and Saguache Counties)
All Solar, Inc.
www.asolarelectric.com
(800) 499-4055
EcoDepot
www.ecodepotusa.com
(719) 539-6000 or (877) ECO-DEPO
Innovative Energy
www.renewablepower.com
(970) 453-5384
Peak Solar Designs
info@peaksolardesigns.com
(719) 539-6918
Step 5 (Solar PV Estimate): The vendor you select will be required to visit your pre-qualified site and perform their own independent site orientation output analysis. There is no charge for this second visit. If they agree with the results from Step 3 above, they will provide you and SDCEA with a copy of their analysis, as well as a detailed cost estimate of your Solar PV installation. The cost estimate must include; parts, labor, taxes, rebate amount, loan if applicable, and Federal tax credit if applicable. This estimate must include “outside” DC and AC manual lockable disconnects, and a payback analysis for the homeowner. The estimated equipment must meet all industry safety standards including UL/CEC listing, NEC codes, and certification for use as a utility interactive system. It must also meet city and/or county codes, and go through the permitting process.
Step 6 (Sign Agreements): If the estimate is acceptable, you must contact SDCEA to sign our required documents for the rebate, interest free loan if applicable, interconnection agreement, and permission for SDCEA to receive full credit for all the Renewable Energy generated by your Solar PV installation. If you choose to be net-metered, you will receive monetary credit on your account for the power you generate versus the power you receive from SDCEA per our Net Metering agreement. However, SDCEA will still receive 100% of the Renewable Energy credits associated with this project. At this point the vendor will work directly with you to complete the installation.
Step 7 (Issue Rebate): After Steps 1-6 are completed, SDCEA will issue the completed rebate application to the GEO requesting the rebate, and any loan money directly to the selected Solar PV vendor on your behalf. Any rebate and loan money must go directly to the selected Solar Vendor on your behalf and may not be used for any other purpose.
Step 8 (Finalize and Verify): When the installation is completed you are subject to an Installation Verification. You must agree to a site visit for the express purpose of verifying that the system was installed as designed and is functioning per specification. This verification will require the cooperation and potential participation of any and all parties that have been part of this process. The vendor you selected is also required to perform an annual site visit to check for any safety and/or performance issues.
If you cannot agree to all aspects of these 8 Steps, you are not qualified to apply for this program and should not contact SDCEA for further information.
Primary contact for the Solar PV Rebate is:
Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, Inc.
Bill Bennett, Energy Use Advisor
(719) 395-2412
