New York
New York State residents are able to take advantage of the New York Energy Smart Photovoltaic (PV) or Solar-Electric System Incentive Program (50kW and smaller).
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has cash incentives available for the installation of small PV or solar-electric systems. The cash incentives are only available for PV systems purchased through an eligible installer. NYSERDA's New York Energy Smart initiative currently has several programs that, when combined with the PV cash incentives, could help offset the total installation costs of a PV system by 40-70%.
To find out if a new PV system is eligible for funding, you'll need three key pieces of information:
- PV System Size - While incentives are capped at 50kW for non residential and 10kW for residential systems, PV systems can be larger than 50 kilowatt (kW). As a point of reference, a 2kW PV system could provide about 20% to 30% of the energy needs of an average home.
- Grid-Connected - PV systems must be connected to your utility's electricity distribution system or "grid-connected." PV systems for homes or facilities that are not on a utility distribution system are not eligible for funding under this program.
- New York State System Benefits Charge - PV systems must be installed at a site that pays into the System Benefits Charge (SBC). If you pay into the SBC, it will say so on your utility bill. If you are uncertain, please contact your electric utility. Some commercial and industrial customers do not pay into the Systems Benefit Charge, so check with your utility to be sure. Electric customers of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) are not eligible for funding under this program. If you are a LIPA or NYPA customer, please contact your utility to see if they have similar programs.
There are a few important facts to know about the incentives offered under this program:
- Incentive payments are not paid directly to the owner of the PV system.
- Incentives are paid to eligible installers that have been approved to participate in this program.
- The entire incentive must be passed on to the owner of the PV system by the eligible installer.
- Incentives are paid in two installments. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the incentive is paid after the equipment is delivered to the installation site with the remaining twenty-five (25%) paid when the PV system is grid-connected and approved by your utility. NYSERDA reserves the right to review any installation prior to final incentive payment being made.
- Incentives will not be paid for PV systems installed by contractors or individuals that are not on NYSERDA's list of eligible installers.
Eligible installers are responsible for all paperwork required under this program.
Customers sign the incentive application form and a customer purchase agreement prepared by the installer. The customer purchase agreement will outline total installed costs, provide detailed costs of all major components, identify the expected cash incentive(s), and provide an installation schedule. Customers shall sign off on the packing slip indicating all system components have been delivered to the installation site. All required documents, terms, and conditions for NYSERDA'S PV incentive program can be loacted within the PON 716-012 section of the NY State PowerNaturally website.
To get the Federal Solar Tax Credit just complete IRS Form 5695: Residential Energy Credits for Tax Year 2007, and attach it to your form 1040. See your tax preparer or accountant for details.