According to A.R.S. §43-1085 enacted in January 2006, tax credit can be applied to corporate or personal taxes which is equal to 10% of the original installation cost of the energy system. The taxable years began in the year of 2006 and it's valid up to 2012. Originally according to HB 2429 this tax credit was eligible only for solar and wind installations in commercial and industrial applications. But later in 2007 according to HB 2491, the tax credit became applicable to all non-residential entities. Entities which were exempted from tax in past, also became eligible. According to the legislation, all third parties involved in manufacturing and installing of such solar and wind systems are eligible to apply for this tax credit of 10% of the original cost of the system. The list of eligible renewable technologies under this tax credit includes Solar water heat, solar space heat, wind, solar cooling, solar thermal electric etc. a detailed list of eligible sectors includes commercial, nonprofit, industrial, state government, local government, agricultural, institutional etc. A eligible device under this provision is defined as a system or series of mechanism designed mainly for providing heat, cooling, to produce electricity, mechanical power by means of collecting and transferring renewable energy sources. Passive systems are also eligible under this tax credit scheme. Such types systems must clearly be designed as solar or wind energy systems e.g. trombe wall. It shouldn't e a part of a normal structure such as a window. The maximum amount that can be credited under this scheme is capped at $25,000 for one building in the same taxable year and $50,000 in total credits in any year. If the calculated tax credit exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability, then the excess amount not used to offset the tax can be carried forward for a maximum time of 5 consecutive years. This whole tax credit scheme is administered and monitored by the Arizona Department of Commerce (DOC). Interested candidates must apply to the department to qualify for the tax credit. The DOC department will initially provide a certification to qualifying installations and will also issue a credit certificate to the business holder after the installation gets completed and approved. A copy of the tax credit certificate must also be submitted to the Arizona Department of Revenue. The DOC is allowed to approve tax credits up to a total of $15 million each calendar year.

According to A.R.S. § 42-14155 enacted in April 2000, all the taxable renewable energy equipment operating in Arizona will be assessed at twenty per cent of the depreciated cost. This depreciated value of the equipment owned by utilities and other entities will be used for the purpose of determining the property tax. For the purpose of this section, the department has defined renewable energy equipment as electric generation facilities, electric distribution, and electric transmission in the state used for the transmission and distribution of electric power derived from wind, solar and other nonpetroleum renewable energy sources not intended for self-consumption. Though the original expiration date for this scheme was set to December 2011, but later according to House Bill 2614 it was extended to December 31, 2040.

According to A.R.S. § 43-1083 enacted in January 1995, any individual taxpayer in the state of Arizona who has installed a solar or wind energy system at his residence is eligible for the Arizona's Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit. The tax credit is allowed against the taxpayer's personal income tax. The amount which can be credited under this credit scheme is equal to 25% of the cost of the solar or wind energy device. The maximum amount which can be credited is capped at $1,000 regardless of the number of the devices installed. The credit must be claimed during the same year the device is installed. If the credited tax amount exceeds the taxpayer's total tax liability during the same year, the excess amount can carried forward for up to five years. The list of renewable energy technologies under this tax credit scheme includes passive solar space heat, solar space heat, solar water heat, wind; solar cooling etc. the installed system must be a new one and must also be in compliance with all the applicable performance and safety standards. The system must also carry a minimum 2 year warranty on collectors, heat exchangers and storage units. Other devices must carry a warranty of at least 1 year.

According to A.R.S. § 42-5061 (N) enacted in January 1997 the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office has started Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption. According to this sales tax exemption plan, any retail sale of solar or wind energy devices and installation of such devices by contractors is eligible for 100% sales tax exemption. By eligible solar and wind devices it means, wind electric generators and wind powered water pumps in addition to passive solar heating, solar water heating, photovoltaic etc. This sales tax exemption is not applicable to devices which are not part of the eligible system such as batteries, controls etc. though previously the maximum amount that can be exempt under this scheme was capped at $5,000, later HB 2429 eliminated this limit per eligible device. To apply for this sales tax exemption the solar energy retailer or solar energy contractor must get registered with the Arizona Department of Revenue prior to selling or installing solar energy devices. A guide has also been compiled by the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office depicting solar wind devices that qualify for this sales exemption under the statuary definition.

According to HB 2429 enacted in June 2006, solar and wind energy devices add no value to the property under the scheme of Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption. Though the scheme was originally designed only for solar energy systems, but later HB 2332 enacted in July of 2009 expanded the exemption to other renewable technologies such as combined heat and power systems, energy efficient building components etc. according to this bill renewable energy equipment is defined the devices that produces energy primarily for on-site consumption from renewable resources like wind, solar, forest thinning, biomass, low impact hydropower etc. and energy efficient building components are defined as the components installed to meet or exceed the energy efficiencies prescribed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program, or by a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating standard developed by the US Green Building Council. Interested candidate must submit the documents affirming the actual purchase and installation of the system. And it must be done within six months before the cash value is issued against the system for the initial valuation year.

Various Rebate and Loan programs

Sulphur Springs Valley EC - SunWatts Loan Program

All Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) members can avail $2 per watt up to a maximum of 25% of the total cost of the solar or wind energy device. The interest rate will be only 3%. In return, the borrower must keep his house or any other property as collateral against the loan. If the borrowed amount is less than $10,000 then it can be repaid over a time period of next 5 year in equal monthly installments. And for loans involving an amount more than $10,000 the repayment period is 10 years. If any borrower wants he can pre-pay the amount without any sort penalty. This loan scheme has limited fund and will be provided on first come first served basis.

APS - Renewable Incentive Program

Through this incentive program, Arizona Public Service (APS) is offering its customer an opportunity to sell their credits associated the energy generated to the APS. The customers must own devices which use renewable energy resources. The maximum amount is capped at 50% of the total project cost for PV systems and the upfront amount is limited to $75,000. This incentive scheme is eligible in commercial and residential sectors. This program has a budget of $6,650,000 for the year of 2009. It includes $5 million for residential installations and $1.65 million for commercial installations. The company is purchasing energy credits and renewable energy certificates to meet its Renewable Energy Standard (RES). All the customers who will participate in this program will receive a one-time rebate or an incentive based on the system's capacity.

TEP - Renewable Energy Credit Purchase Program

Tucson Electric Power (TEP) started its utility rebate program SunShare in 2001 to encourage residential and business customers to install new PV and wind energy devices. Under its new Renewable Energy Credit Purchase Program (RECPP) started in 2008 TEP also included longer list of eligible renewable energy technologies. All the eligible technologies also qualify under Arizona's renewable energy standards (RES). Incentives can be availed in exchange of renewable energy certificates generated by the systems.

UES - Renewable Energy Credit Purchase Program

Under this program UniSource Energy Services (UES) is offering its customers an opportunity to sell the credits associated with the energy generated by the various renewable energy sources to the company. Initially the program was open to only solar energy devices, but in 2008 other renewable energy devices were also included in the eligible list of technologies. This list include solar hot water, photovoltaic, solar HVAC etc. This utility rebate program is eligible in both commercial and residential sectors. PV incentives may also be de-rated based on its expected performance. The maximum amount is capped at 60% of the original cost.

According to 25-6.065, F.A.C. enacted in March 2008, the Florida Public Service Commission started net metering and interconnection for all the renewable energy systems with a capacity of 2 MW. The PSC is entitled to set all the rules and regulation for this net metering policy. And these set of rules exclusively apply to state's investor owned utilities. Electric co-operatives and municipal co-operatives do not come under this policy. All the customers who generate electricity using one of the following technologies can avail the facility of net metering - wind energy, solar energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy etc. if the customer is using net metering then his net excess generation (NEG) will be carried forward to his next bill for a time period of 12 months. NEG is carried forward at the utilities' retail rate as a kilowatt-hour credit. If NEG is remaining at the end of the 12 month period then it will be paid by the utility. The System owner will hold the rights of Renewable energy credits (RECs). But RECs can be sold back to the utility by the customer. PSC hasn't stated any capacity limit for the net metered systems. All information related to the renewable energy system must be filed with PSC. It includes the total energy delivered to and generated from the customers and the total payment made to the interconnected customers. According to H.B. 7135 in June 2008, PSC received the authority to adopt March 2008 rules for interconnected and net metered utilities. A standard interconnection agreement and net metering program for customer owned renewable generation was developed by the municipal utilities and electric cooperatives. Though municipal utilities and electric cooperatives need to file annual report with PSC, it doesn't have any direct authority above the utilities.

According to Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) federal government has enabled recovery of investments in property. It can be done through depreciation deductions. A set of class lives for various properties has been declared by MACRS. It is in the range of 3 to 50 years. During this time period the property can be depreciated. According to 26 USC § 168, the eligible 5 year property under energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) includes - solar electric and thermal technologies, combined heat and power and also wind energy. Large wind facilities are also considered as eligible technology under this provision of ITC. This 5 year plan for wind and solar energy has been in effect since 1986. Under the federal Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 in February 2008, 50% bonus depreciation was added for all the eligible renewable -energy systems which are in service since 2008. Normally to be qualified for this depreciation certain criterion must be met by the project involved. These are - the acquisition of the property must have taken place during the year of 2008 or 2009, it must be in service since 2008 and it must have a recovery period of less than 20 years. If the property satisfies all of these, 50% of the adjusted basis can be deducted in the 2008 or 2009 and the rest will be depreciated over ordinary schedule.

According to Fla. Stat. § 220.193, Florida renewable energy production credit was introduced to encourage the use of renewable energy in Florida. It helped increasing the number of facilities that use renewable energy as their main source of energy. All expanded facilities that increase its electrical production and sale by more than 5 percent are eligible for this credit. A facility which is in service after May 2006 will be provided this credit. According to this tax credit, annually a taxpayer will receive this credit based on his production and sale of electricity from a new or expanded Florida renewable energy facility. If the facility owned by the taxpayer is a new one then the credit will be based on the taxpayer's total electric production. On the other hand if it is expanded facility then the credit will be decided based on the increased electric production after May 2006. The amount is capped at $0.01 per kWh of electricity produced or sold by the taxpayer to an unrelated third party during that tax year. For availing this credit, the taxpayer first must apply to the Department of revenue by February 1 of each year. Department of revenue will consult with the PSC to come up with an application form. If the total amount of credits in one year exceeds $5 million then each applicant will be allotted a prorated amount based on his increased sale and production. In case the allotted credits are not used during one year, then it can be carried forward to the subsequent next year until 5 years.

In order to promote environmentally sensitive design and construction Miami-Dade County implemented a program to expedite the review and approval of permit applications for green buildings. Here green building means one whole design, operation promote and construction promoting the preservation of resources and environmentally sensitive constructive practices, systems and materials. For determining whether the building is green building or not, the building official will rely on the review and evaluation by the recognized environmental rating agencies like Florida Green Building Coalition, the National Home Builder Association and the U.S. Green Building Council.

According to Fla. Stat. § 196.175 enacted in June 2008, an expired Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption in the year of 1990 was revived. According to this exemption any real property which is improved by installation of renewable energy source device and operated will be entitled to property tax exemption. Te exemption will be given in the amount of the original cost of the device and also the installation cost. But the total amount should exclude any sort of cost occurred due to the removal or improvement of previous existing property during the installation process. If the exemption was filed in the month of January, then during the next 12 moth time period the tax will be exempted for fully operational devices. If the device was operational for only a portion of that period then the amount should be reduced in a proportional manner. This exemption cannot be granted for a period of more than 10 years and the device must not be installed before January 2009.

According to Fla. Stat. § 377.804 enacted in June 2006, Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies Grants Program was started in order to promote the demonstration, commercialization, research and development projects using renewable energy technologies and also other innovative technologies significantly increasing energy efficiency for vehicles and commercial buildings. Under this matching grants program any of the following project is eligible to apply for - established companies in the State, universities and colleges in the state, municipalities and county governments, non-profit organizations, utilities located and operating within the state etc. Various factors will determine the approval of the grant of fund. A project stimulating in-state capital investment and economic development in rural areas will be given preference and also the project should produce more job availabilities and future development of commercial market for renewable energy technologies. The project should also incorporate an innovative new technology or an innovative application of existing technology. To evaluate various project proposals the Commission may take help from other external organization like Enterprise Florida Inc and also state universities. It may also solicit expertise of other public and private entities.

According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-243h enacted in January 1998, State's two utilities - United Illuminating Company (UI) and Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) provide net metering facility to its commercial and residential customers. According to this Electric Restructuring Act all customers need to have electrical generators using Class I renewable resources including Wind energy. Net metering is a system to determine the total amount of electricity used by these customers or provided to the power grid by them during normal billing cycles. Using net metering more energy is provided to the electric grid than they use. Previously CL&P and UI used to charge all of its customers on a monthly basis for any surplus production. These average energy prices were determined by Independent System Operator of New England (ISO-NE). The charges were in between 5.5 ¢ and 8 ¢ per kWh for their net kWh. But, after HB 7432 got enacted in October 2007, all customers are no more being charged a monthly amount which is based on amount of energy, instead customers will be able to bank or rollover the full value of their future net kWh consumption. These arrangement significantly increased customers' reimbursement. Though the customers are able to offset the future electric cost, but they also have to continue paying their monthly charges. According to HB 7432, the individual system capacity was increased to 2 MW and net metering was allowed for all customers classes. According to this policy, banking of kWh is tracked and reconciled for the whole year and the customer is paid for banked kWh at the end of the each banking period and it starts over again. CL&P and UI have not fixed any upper limit on the net capacity of net metered systems. If a customer's net excess generation (NEG) exceeds the monthly billing period then it is simply carried over for the following month. For customers with systems greater than 10 kWh, net metering is assesses by the State's competitive transition assessment. In this case the amount is decided based on the amount of energy consumed by the customer from the facilities of the utilities without netting any electricity produced by him. In all cases the REC ownership goes to the customers. A detailed list of all the applicable sectors will include commercial, residential, industrial, schools, state government, local government, nonprofit, agricultural, institutional, multifamily residential and Fed Government.

According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-245n enacted in 2000, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) legislation started Operational Demonstration Program to help the industry to demonstrate feasibility of its clean energy related idea or product. Only early stage commercial companies are allowed to take participate in this program. List of eligible clean renewable technologies include wind, solar thermal electric, photovoltaic, biomass, fuel cells, small hydroelectric, wave energy, ocean thermal and some other distributed generation technologies. The estimated amount from 2010 funded through this Operational Demonstration Program is $4 million for all the systems installed n Connecticut. Projects that have possibility of developing commercial product within a time period of 3 years (5 years for fuel cells) will b supported by the program. Other than the aforesaid renewable technologies, some other energy resources which do not involve the combustion of petroleum, coal, municipal waste products or nuclear fission are also likely to be funded by the program. All supported projects must have a capacity of at least 1 kW electricity generation. Projects will be provided unsecured loans for the funding purposes and repayment term will be till the project achieves its commercial success. Moreover if the net product revenue crosses a certain threshold value, then an additional share of it will be collected by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. The system owners are required to provide 25% cash cost share for availing any sort of funding. The maximum amount that can be funded for each project is capped at $750,000. For availing a funding more than $500,000 justification must be made in terms of project's large scale potential benefit for Connecticut electric ratepayers. Developers of the technology must have a strong interest to commercialize the product. They must produce approval from the Connecticut host site owner or operator. The project must be backed up by a team of qualified partners, professionals and contractors. The application for availing the fund will be evaluated based on a variety of criterion like short term and long term commercial opportunities, technology viabilities etc. the main aim of CCEF is to boost the Connecticut's technology economy by investing more and more in clean energy technologies and side by side educating the residents of Connecticut about the importance of clean energy technologies. In 2007, CCEF has approved a loan of $557,134 funding 500 kW hydroelectric turbine systems at Kirby Mill in Mansfield. The main source of fund in CCEF is the surcharge on ratepayers' electric bills and it is administered by the Connecticut Innovations.

Connecticut's Policy Development and Planning Division - Energy Management started New Energy Technology (NET) program to promote the creative talents in Connecticut to promote the most energy saving and renewable energy technologies and to fund them to be commercialized. The main aim of this NET program is save energy in Connecticut and to improve the Connecticut's economy by creating new employment opportunities. Incentives or grants will be provided to applicant's submitting promising pre-commercial technologies that intend to save energy or use renewable energy sources. The maximum amount that will be approved to individuals is capped at $10,000. A small firm employing 30 or less than 30 people is eligible to apply for the grant. Normally each year a maximum of 5 firms will be awarded the grant. The funding can be used for many purposes like prototype testing, business plan development, product development, patent application, payroll and product marketing. OPM mainly funds the projects which are in early stage of development or in the prototype development stage or have produced products in limited quantities. In addition to funding, financial and technical assistance is also provided to recipients of the grant from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM). The applicant should always remember, OPM is not looking for funding experiments, rather the funding will be provided to new and innovative use of a technology. Different stages of the program's application are as follow - in November the Grant application period begins and in February it closes. In the month of April/May Grant award document is mailed to the applicant. By the end of September in the same year, the grant recipients should get the financial and progress report reviewed by the department.

According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-81, the State of Connecticut provide property tax exemption for facilities that generate electricity from Class I renewable energy systems. The electricity produced must be used for private residential use only. For becoming eligible for this property tax exemption, the system must be installed on or after October 2007. The system must be used to serve single family homes or multifamily dwellings. The list of eligible renewable technologies include solar water heat, passive solar space heat, fuel cells, Wind, Biomass, Geothermal heat pumps, Tidal energy etc. the amount of exemption is 100% for any renewable energy property. The applicant must claim the exemption to the assessor or board of assessors in the same town where the system is installed and it should be done before the month of November in the applicable assessment year.

Various grant and loan programs

CCEF - On-Site Renewable DG Program
This program is aimed to provide grants to fund the installation of electricity generating systems in commercial and industrial buildings. Systems that use wind, photovoltaic, hydropower or other renewable energy sources for the electricity generation are eligible to apply for. An amount of $66.24 million is granted for total funding through this program through the year of 2010. System with a capacity of minimum 10 kW will be accepted under this program. All the facilities must be installed within the service territory of Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) or United Illuminating (UI). For wind energy projects the grant recipients are required to operate the system for at least 10 year. The maximum amount that can be granted to individual project is capped at $4 million. For small wind project, $3.60 per watt will be funded and the evaluation timeframe is 15 year. All the renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the recipient wind projects will be taken by the CCEF and in return the owner will be compensated on the present estimated value of the RECs. For availing the final grant amount, 70% of the projected AC energy must be generated within the first 6 months of operation.

CHIF - Energy Conservation Loan
According to C.G.S. 32-315, Connecticut Housing Investment Fund, Inc. (CHIF) provides energy conservation loans for single family owners and owners of 1 to 4 family homes. The applicant must meet the established annual income limit for his family size and location. Depending upon the borrower present situation, interest rate will vary and it can be repaid within a time limit of 10 years. Multi-Family Energy Conservation Loan Program offers financial support for large residential properties. In this case only the amount granted is larger than the single family loans, otherwise all terms are similar.

DPUC - Low-Interest Loans for Customer-Side Distributed Resources
According to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-243j enacted in July 2005, retail end use customers can avail long term financing for the use of customer side distributed resources. The whole program is administered by the Banc of America Leasing & Capital. The maximum amount which can be approved through this program is capped at $150 million. Loans will be provided with fixed interest rate and it will be determined at time of approval of the application. Only projects with a minimum capacity of 50 kW and a maximum capacity of 65 MW are eligible to apply.

According to Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in November 2004, an amendment was passed in Colorado making every utility user with 40,000 or more customers to purchase electricity from renewable sources. Additionally the State Government is considering various incentives, net metering etc to promote the use of wind and solar electric equipments. Various terms of the amendment are still under consideration. According to the amendment any additionall generated electricity in a given month can't be used as a credit for the next month.

Businesses are allowed to recover investments in a property through depreciation deductions under the federal Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS). Generally the property is divided into a set of class lives. It varies from 3 to 50 years. According to 26 USC § 168 some renewable technologies including wind energy come under 5 year property and it's also known as energy investment tax credit or ITC. Other than wind technology it also includes some other technologies like solar electric, solar thermal, direct use geothermal and geothermal pumps, combined heat and power etc. this 5 year class live has been in effect since 1986. According to federal Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, all eligible renewable -energy systems are applicable for 50% bonus depreciation. There are some terms which the project must satisfy in order to become eligible for the bonus like - the property must have been acquired during the year of 2008 or 2009 and it must also be placed under service in the same year.

The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) expanded the federal business energy investment tax credit in October 2008. There were major changes done in the tax credit. Time duration for the various renewable energy technologies was extended by 8 years and new credits were also established for wind-energy systems. To become for this federal credit all the systems must be in service on or before the year or 2016. In case of small wind turbines 30% of the whole expenditure is eligible for the credit. Moreover there is no maximum credit for all the small wind turbines which are in service after the year of 2008. Normally wind turbines with a product up to 100KW are eligible for this credit. The maximum amount for this credit is capped at $4000. But micro turbines are eligible for a credit up to 10% of the whole expenditure. The amount is capped at $200 per 200KW production for micro turbines.

According to Renewable Energy Property Tax Assessment all utility-scale electric generating facilities are eligible to assess property tax based on the installment cost. Normally for renewable energy facilities the cost of installment is comparable to the installment of non-renewable energy facilities. This comparable value is calculated each year by the division of Property Taxation. Generally for renewable facilities the value above non-renewable is discarded. The value is determined for all the renewable energy generators connected to the transmission systems.

Under Property tax financing all property owners from the State of Colorado can borrow money for any sort of energy improvements. The owner has to repay the borrowed amount through increased tax assessment over a certain period of years. According to H.B. 1350 enacted in May 2008, Colorado Clean Energy Development Authority (CEDA) can establish Clean Energy Finance Districts in the State of Colorado. A district cannot be established without the approval from the voters. Moreover local government is also required to get a proposed financing measure approved from the state treasurer. Under this program various renewable energy technologies are eligible like wind, photovoltaic, hydroelectric, fuel cells etc. Districts are responsible to create funds from various resources like contracts, agreements, grants, revenues from public utilities, bonds etc.

According to SB 145 enacted on May 2007, the State of Colorado approved the entire commercial property owner who has installed renewable energy systems on their property, for sales tax rebates or credits. In April 2009, HB 1126 added solar thermal systems to the list of eligible renewable energy technologies. Under this legislation any system producing electricity from renewable resources other than solar and wind systems is also considered as an eligible renewable energy technology. All the management tasks are administered by local cities and counties. Therefore any interested property owner should contact the local city or county to find out whether a tax rebate is available in his community or not.

According to HB 1126 enacted on May 2009, the State of Colorado exempts all storage, use and sales of components used in the production of AC from a renewable energy resource. The list of eligible renewable energy technologies includes solar heat, solar space heat, wind, photovoltaic, biomass etc. the amount is capped at 100% of the whole cost. This tax exemption is only applicable to state sales and use taxes.

Under New Energy Economic Development Grant Program, grants are available to support energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the State of Colorado. Till 2007, this program used to receive the funds from Clean Energy Fund (CEO). Later State government appropriated fund to the Governor's Energy Office (GEO) from severance tax and gaming tax. This New Energy Economic Development Grant Program (NEED) receives it funding from Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. In July 2009, GEO announced $2 million for latest fund. Normally funding will be provided on a competitive basis. This program has some terms which must be followed by the approved projects. Within 3 months of the approval of the fund the project must begin construction. The project should also have a targeted completion date of not greater than 8 months from the contract execution date.

Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) started its low-interest utility loan program Renewable Energy Resource Loan in January 2003. To get the loans approved from the board of directors, applicants must be from the GCEA's service territory and projects must include the installation of wind, solar and other renewable energy technologies. An amount up to $25,000 can be availed under this utility loan program and the repayment period is 10 years. Normally the current interest is not fixed, but it will be at the time when the loan is approved.

Rebate Programs

Local Small Wind Rebate Programs
Under this utility rebate program 3 electric cooperatives and one municipal electric utility availed matching funds from the Governor's Energy Office (GEO). Under this rebate program, local businesses and residents can avail rebates for small wind projects. Though there are some terms and conditions from the GEO that must be followed by the applicant, but the participating administrators can modify the terms to suit their customers. Basically the rebate is available only for the first 10kW of a wind system and must be less than 50% of the installation cost. The recipient should also meet some energy efficiency requirements set by the administrators. Under this program each utility has availed an amount of $25000 from the GEO and they should also contribute $25000 from their own funds to the program. The applying system must have a warranty period of minimum 5 years. Applicants can be from either commercial or residential sector.

Holy Cross Energy - WE CARE Rebates
Under WE CARE (With Efficiency, Conservation and Renewable Energy) program. Holy Cross Energy will provide utility rebates. Holy Cross pays up to $2 per watt of electricity generation using renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, hydroelectric etc. per installation the rebate is available for up to 6 kW. But in no case the payment can cross 50% of the actual cost. Moreover the customers are liable to get net metering from Holy Cross for renewable energy generation facilities with a capacity up to 25kW. Normally the maximum rebate amount is capped at $20000 per installation. Consumer's electricity system must be connected to the Holy Cross's system in order to qualify for the rebate.

La Plata Electric Association - Renewable Generation Rebate Program
La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) grants this one time utility rebate to its small commercial and residential customers who fall in the service territory. In order to qualify for the rebate the customers must install a wind, hydropower or solar facility. The maximum amount which can be availed through this rebate program is capped at $3000, but it cannot exceed the actual cost of the system. All the applying systems must be grid-tied. The amount of rebate is $2 per watt as determined by the LPEA Board of Directors. The customer should also assign all the Renewable Energy Credits associated with the installation to the LPEA.

The Plastiki Expedition is the brainchild of storyteller David de Rothschild and his organization Adventure Ecology. David is a British heir to one of the most famous fortunes in banking and he is using some of that money and fame to raise awareness in this expedition. In addition to the ship and its journey there is a great new website designed to educate and inform.

Hewlett Packard has stepped up to help David and his team of Adventure Ecology sailors on the technology front. They are developing his website and providing much of the technology and computer equipment used on the Plastiki itself. Hewlett Packard has really stepped up to the plate in recent years in support sustainability, both in their products and internal policies. One great example of this is their new Z Line of efficient PC's that use less electricity and are made from lighter more recyclable materials.

David de Rothschild said "We are pleased to announce HP as the technology partner for our forthcoming expedition, The Plastiki...This partnership is not only of great significance due to the long-term mission of Adventure Ecology to promote and influence smarter 'Planet 2.0' ways of working, but also because of the exciting opportunity for us to help support HP's ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its products, services and operations. It is our shared vision to create a smarter, more sustainable 'Planet 2.0' way of living, through inspiration, education, storytelling and the empowerment of individuals. This partnership has all the right ingredients to create the agents of change that will help to sculpt our future."

Check out the video below and if you're in the Bay Area keep your eyes peeled for the Plastiki: