Massachusetts Home Solar Power Rebates Coming Soon!
by Matthew Ryder-Smith
Attention Massachusetts homeowners, the launch of block 2 of funding for the Commonwealth Solar II rebate program is currently scheduled for April 9, 2010. Commonwealth Solar II rebate program is offered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and provides rebates for the installation of grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public facilities.#
If your electricity provider is listed below then you qualify for the rebate:
- Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light (Unitil);
- National Grid, NSTAR Electric;
- Western Massachusetts Electric
*Note: Customers of certain municipal lighting plant (MLP) utilities are now eligible.
Rebate amounts are based on the total PV system size per building, however, the rebate is only going to be based on the first 5 kW. If you have a larger system you will still qualify but the additional kW will not receive a rebate.
The proposed Commonwealth Solar II rebate levels for residential and commercial PV systems are:
1. Base incentive: $1.00/watt - this is guaranteed as long as you get in before the money runs out ;-)
2. Adder for Massachusetts company components: $0.10/watt
To qualify for this adder, you must provide evidence that the PV modules, the inverter(s), or another significant component, which is important to the electricity production of the project is manufactured by a company with a significant Massachusetts presence as determined at the sole discretion of MassCEC.
Current companies and products on this list are:
- Evergreen Solar: modules
- Schott Solar: modules *
- Satcon: inverters
- Solectria Renewables: inverters
- Beacon Power: inverters
- Panel Claw: mounting systems
* NOTE: effective July 1, 2009 only the Schott Solar ASE 300 series modules manufactured in Billerica, MA are eligible for the MA Adder.
3. Adder for moderate home value: $1.00/watt, OR
To qualify, the PV System Owner must be the owner and resident of the home, and the assessed home value (land and building) of the owner’s primary residence, as determined by the municipality, must be less than or equal to the following for the appropriate county of residence:
County and Moderate Home Value
Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire ≤ $300,000
Bristol, Suffolk, and Worcester ≤ $350,000
Barnstable, Duke, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, ≤ $400,000
Norfolk, and Plymouth
4. Adder for moderate income: $1.00/watt
If the total, combined income reported on line 22 of your Federal 1040 form for all household members 18 years or older was under $95,420, or $75,810 for single individuals you maybe eligible for a Moderate Income Adder. Application form here
Remember you can’t qualify for both the adder for moderate home value and moderate income just one or the other.
So if you qualify for all the rebates you can get a total of $3/Watt off your home solar power system and if we are talking about a 5kW system that is $15,000 right off the top. Oh and don’t forget that in additional there is a $1,000 State tax credit and the 30% Federal tax credit to sweeten the pot.
You can find the application form here. If you take a look at the form your head will probably start to spin because there are many questions and requirements but don’t worry, your installer will be able to handle all this paperwork.
To find out more about how a home solar energy system pencils out for you fill out our form and we will have a solar expert contact you.
#According to the program manual, stationary off-grid PV systems that are permanently located on the same contiguous property of an eligible non-residential grid-connected applicant and facility may be eligible for a rebate of up to 5 kW (DC) per project.
