Solar Rebate Program:

WWW.COLORADO.GOV/ENERGY

WWW.COSEIA.ORG

Residential Solar PV Rebate Program

San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) has partnered with The New Community Coalition (TNCC) (Paste Link to Website) http://www.newcommunitycoalition.org/index.html and the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) (Paste Link to Website) http://www.colorado.gov/energy/ to offer a Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program. The rebate program will be available beginning on June 1, 2008 to residents throughout the SMPA service territory. Rebates will be issued throughout 2008 until funding is exhausted. Applications will be submitted to SMPA in two stages, with a 90-day total completion timeframe, by the homeowner with assistance from the solar installer.  To assist the installers with this program, the following forms will be available beginning June 1, 2008:
Home Energy Audit Form
Application for Rebate
Completion of Rebate Application

PV Basics:

Once energy efficiency has been optimized, grid-tied, net-metered solar photovoltaic (PV) systems offer an elegant option for most households to further offset their electricity costs. Grid-tied PV systems allow the owner to send excess energy back into the grid and also benefit the owner by mitigating the effects of electric utility price increases. In addition, distributed solar electric systems decrease the demand for electricity generated from centralized fossil fuel plants, which leads to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Program Parameters and Requirements for Participation

Resident eligibility requirements  - Homeowners must be a customer of San Miguel Power Association.  Systems must be installed at the applicant’s primary, year-round residence.  SMPA will award rebates on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Installer eligibility requirements - SMPA and TNCC recommend installers have a history of successful residential PV, grid-tied installations.  Prospective installers should submit a letter to the homeowner outlining their qualifications and history of installations. They must submit proof of these prior projects, if requested by the homeowner.  If an interested installer has been working for a local qualified installer who meets these requirements, they may be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from that installer along with proof of the projects they personally installed. SMPA and TNCC encourage installers to have NABCEP certification, CoSEIA training, and/or SEI solar PV course completion. Installers must provide a 2-year system warranty to the customer, in addition to the equipment warranties.  SMPA and TNCC do not endorse or recommend any installers, and recommends the homeowner receive multiple bids.

Rebate awards – Rebates will be issued directly to homeowners.  Due to the technical details and other requirements in the application process, installers should be directly involved in the rebate application process. Rebates will be offered at $2.00 per watt up to a maximum rebate amount of $3,000.  Rebate processing will take between 4-8 weeks.
Renewable Energy Credits – To qualify for the rebate, the homeowner must agree to assign all Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to SMPA for all energy produced by the system for a period of 10 years.
Energy audit requirements and eligible auditing entities  - To meet the homeowner awareness and educational goals of this grant, one of the following is required to be performed prior to Application for Rebate:

• An energy audit may be performed by a HERS certified rater, with a HERS report provided to both the homeowner and with the rebate application.  This report is currently a requirement for some new homes in San Miguel County.
• A home energy audit may be performed by a home energy auditor covering at a minimum the items on the Home Energy Audit Form.  The audit report must be submitted to the homeowner with home energy efficiency improvement recommendations.  Include a copy of the report and recommendations with the rebate application submission. 
• The solar provider must do a basic home energy assessment covering at a minimum the items on the Home Energy Audit Form. The audit report must be submitted to the homeowner and a copy of the report included with the rebate application submission.  Basic instructions for a Home Energy Audit can be found at the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website. (link to http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11170 )

System documentation for rebate eligibility  - A full application package fromthe homeowner will be submitted in two complete stages, as detailed below. Application completion must be completed within a 90-day period from point of application, or the rebate will be denied and rotated to the next selected project.  Rebates will not be awarded or paid until the system has been completed, inspected and is operating.
1. Application for Rebate

• Applicant Information
• System Information
• Rebate Calculation
• SMPA Agreement Part 1
• Energy Audit Information
• Installer Information (including proof of installer eligibility upon request)
• Attachments
• Proof of purchase (copy of the deposit paid)
• Completed Energy Audit Report

2. Completion of Rebate Application

• Installation Completion Date
• Installer Certification
• Homeowner Certification
• Application Checklist
• Attachments
• Final Installer Invoice
• PV Watts Screenshots
• Permit final approval / signoff
• One-line Diagram of installation
• Equipment Serial Numbers
• Installation Warranty Policy
• Service Agreement (optional)
• Payback Analysis (optional)

Application Submission – Applications shall be submitted in two complete packages.
Documents shall be hand-delivered or mailed (no fax or email) to:

SMPA Ridgway Office
Attn: Bill Green
P.O. Box 1150
Ridgway, CO 81432

How you can make a difference?

SMPA offers two programs that consumers can participate in: Green Blocks and Green Cents. Click here for more information and start making a difference TODAY!

View our brochures - Green Power Green Cents

SMPA'S Commitment to Renewable Energy

SMPA not only encourages our members to take advantage of renewable energy options, but has integrated those resources into our operation. Pictured above is our 2005 Ford Escape hybrid. The vehicle is used by SMPA employees for regular business travel. This SUV can run on electric or gas mode during slower speeds. This fuel efficient vehicle also offers lower emissions. SMPA plans to integrate more hybrid vehicles into our fleet as older vehicles are replaced.

The Ford Escape is not SMPA’s only commitment to support renewable energy. SMPA and our Board of Directors have made a commitment to support renewable energy in all its forms. To this end, SMPA decided to install a grid tied photovoltaic solar system at the Ridgway office to demonstrate for our customers what it is and how it works.

For other options and more information about renewable energy, please visit Tri-State’s web site on renewable resources.