Section 648-930-3 - SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY SYSTEM REBATESA.Eligibility1.Solar Energy Rebates. To the extent that funds are available in the solar and wind energy system rebate program fund established pursuant to section 4 of this Chapter, owners and tenants of residential or commercial properties located within Maine who are Maine residents may apply on a first-come-first-served basis to be eligible for rebates for qualified solar energy systems installed on those properties. To qualify for a solar energy system rebate, an applicant must show that the system is connected to the electrical grid and installed after July 1, 2005 in accordance with 35-A M.R.S.A. §3211-C and this Chapter. For purposes of this section, a person may demonstrate the date a system was installed by the date of a net metering arrangement with a transmission and distribution utility or by the date on a bill of sale for the system.2.Wind Energy Rebates. To the extent that funds are available in the solar and wind energy system rebate program fund established pursuant to section 4 of this Chapter, owners and tenants of residential or commercial properties located within Maine who are Maine residents may apply on a first-come-first-served basis to be eligible for rebates for wind energy systems installed on those properties. To qualify for a wind energy system rebate, an applicant must show that the system is connected to the electrical grid and installed after January 1, 2009 in accordance with 35-A M.R.S.A. §3211-C and this Chapter and meets wind energy system site requirements under Section 6(B)(5). For purposes of this section, a person may demonstrate the date a system was installed by the date of a net metering arrangement with a transmission and distribution utility or by the date on a bill of sale for the system. a.Other Eligibility Requirements for a Wind Energy System Rebate. In addition to meeting the requirements under Section 3(A)(2), that the following eligibility requirements apply: 1. The subject site for a proposed wind system (including specific longitudinal and latitudinal references) must be located in a geographic area with average wind speeds of Class II or greater as recognized by wind resource databases to be designated by the Commission staff; and,2. The bottom of the blade of the turbine proposed at its lowest point of travel will be a minimum of thirty feet above any surrounding object within a 250 foot radius; and,3. The subject site must be located in an area that is free of any zoning restrictions, construction requirements, home owner association rules or other laws, rules or provisions that may prohibit the erection of the subject tower and wind turbine and/or that the applicant has obtained such necessary permits and approval prior to filing the application.B.Eligible SystemsThe following systems are eligible for rebates from the solar and wind energy rebate program fund:
1.Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Solar photovoltaic systems that generate electricity.2.Solar Thermal Water Systems. Solar thermal systems designed to heat water.3.Solar Thermal Air Systems. Solar thermal systems designed to heat air.4.Wind Energy Systems. Wind energy systems that generate electricity and which are located in areas of wind power potential as set forth in section 3(A)(2).C.Rebate AmountsThe Commission shall set rebate levels by order for qualified solar and wind energy systems. In setting rebate levels, the Commission may consider market demand for qualified solar energy systems or qualified wind energy systems, program implementation experience, other financial factors such as federal or state tax incentives for systems as well as other factors relevant to the solar and wind energy rebate program. The Commission shall periodically consider revisions to the rebate levels based on the criteria in this subsection. The Commission shall post the current rebates levels on its website and include the rebate levels on the solar and wind energy rebate application forms.
D.Awarding of Rebates Contingent on Available Funding.The awarding of rebates under these rules is subject to the availability of funding. An applicant's submission of an application for a solar or wind system rebate does not create a right or entitlement to a solar or wind system rebate. The Commission may suspend the solar or wind system rebate programs for lack of funding with or without prior notice.
E.Allocation of Funding Among Programs.The Commission shall determine, by order, the allotment of the funds in each fiscal year between solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems and wind energy systems, with a minimum of 20% of the funds allocated to each. In determining any additional allocation of funding among the programs, the Commission may consider, without limitation, current market demand for systems, program implementation experience, financial and economic factors such as the availability of federal or state tax incentives for systems as well as other factors that influence program participation or present market barriers.
F.Simple Payback Calculation/Performance Standards.Each applicant shall provide a simple payback analysis for the system for which a rebate is sought on an application form provided by the Commission. The calculation shall estimate the overall annual savings associated with the proposed system, taking into account certain assumptions for fuel costs and system efficiencies. Although it shall not constitute a bar to receiving funding under the rebate program, applicants are encouraged to choose systems for which the total adjusted system costs do not exceed savings associated with reduced energy consumption over the useful lifetime of the system.
The application form will be amended on at least an annual basis, and more frequently if needed, in order to ensure that assumptions for system efficiencies, electricity and other energy costs comport with market conditions. Electricity and natural gas costs shall be derived from using tariffs on file with the Commission. Fuel oil and propane costs shall be derived from monthly price surveys of the Governor's Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS). Assumptions for system efficiencies for electricity and other energy appliances will be based on a nationally recognized standardized rating system.
95- 648 C.M.R. ch. 930, § 3