Rebates

The Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) is a state conduit issuer of tax-exempt bonds and credit enhancement for projects in Illinois. IFA funding is available to commercial and non-profit entities as long as those entities meet strict eligibility criteria. In 2012, the legislature also added schools and community colleges to the list of eligible entities for energy conservation funding. Entities seeking funding must demonstrate that their projects provide a significant public benefit for the citizens of Illinois. In 2009, the IFA was authorized by legislation (S.B. 1906 and S.B. 390) to provide funding via issuance of tax-exempt bonds for renewable energy

The state of Maryland permits local governments (Md Code: Property Tax § 9-242) to offer property tax credits for high performance buildings and energy conservation devices (Md Code: Property Tax § 9-203) if they choose to do so. Howard County has exercised this option by offering property tax credits for new and existing multi-family residential and commercial buildings that meet certain high performance building standards, and for the installation of energy conservation devices in LEED-certified structures. The property tax credit for energy conservation devices in green buildings (the Green Building Tax Credit) was initially enacted in 2002, while the High

In March 2009, the City of Bloomington passed an ordinance establishing the Green Buildings Program. This ordinance directed the City of Bloomington to incorporate green building principles into municipal facilities by committing to the use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, developed and awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), for projects involving city government buildings and facilities. 
Specifically, all new occupiable City of Bloomington buildings must be designed, contracted, and built to achieved LEED-NC Silver certification level at a minimum. The Green Buildings Program encourages certification beyond Silver (to Gold or Platinum)

Maine law requires that any municipal ordinance, bylaw, or regulation adopted after September 30, 2009 regulating solar energy devices on residential property follow certain requirements. The rules, bylaws, and regulations of homeowner associations (HOAs) must also follow these requirements. Specifically, these legal instruments may not prohibit a person from installing or using a solar energy device (including a clothesline or drying rack) on residential property owned by that person. In the case of a leased/rented property, the policy protects the renter's right to use a clothesline or drying rack.

The municipal reviewing authority may, to protect and ensure access to

Vermont law forbids ordinances, bylaws, deed restrictions, covenants, declarations, or similar binding agreements from prohibiting (or having the effect of prohibiting) the use of solar collectors, clotheslines, or "other energy devices based on renewable resources." 

A homeowner may be subject to certain restrictions regarding the location of the solar collectors on the roof (orientation to the south or within 45 degrees east or west of due south) as long as those restrictions do not impact the effectiveness of the solar collectors. However, municipal bylaws may not, to any extent, regulate the installation, operation, and maintenance of a solar water heating

In July 2008, Pennsylvania enacted a broad $650 million alternative energy bill designed to provide support for a variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Included in this legislation was a provision authorizing the creation of a $25 million grant and loan program for high performance buildings. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), under the direction of Commonwealth Finance Authority (CFA). Program guidelines were issued in April 2009 and revised in November 2009. Incentives are available to both in-state small businesses (100 or fewer

The Home Improvement Program (HIP) in Hamilton County, Ohio, originally opened in 2002, and was reinstated in May 2008. The HIP loan allows homeowners in Hamilton County communities to borrow money to repair or remodel homes or rental property at interest rates 3% below the lowest rate a bank would normally offer. The following banks participate: Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Bank, KeyBank, North Side Bank and First Safety Bank. The HIP loan is usually structured as a home equity loan, secured by a second mortgage on the property. Credit requirements apply.

Eligible residential (one- or two-family homes) and commercial properties

The mayor and city council of Chandler, AZ adopted Resolution 4199 in June 2008, establishing a requirement for all new occupied city buildings larger than 5,000 square feet to be designed and built to achieve the Silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, and to strive for higher levels of certification whenever project resources and conditions permit. To maintain cost control, city building projects may be exempt from the requirement if the payback period necessary to recover the initial costs is more than ten years. If a project is deemed infeasible, the project shall

The state of Maryland permits local governments (Md Code: Property Tax § 9-242) to offer property tax credits for high performance buildings if they choose to do so. Montgomery County has exercised this option by offering property tax credits on new or extensively modified multi-family residential and commercial buildings that meet certain high performance building standards. An "extensive modification" is defined as a structural modification that alters 50% or more of the building's square footage.

The tax credit generally uses the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system as a metric for determining how "green"' a building is

Durham County adopted a resolution in October 2008 that requires new non-school public buildings and facilities to meet high-performance standards. New construction of public buildings and facilities greater than 10,000 square feet must achieve a minimum rating of LEED Gold or any comparable performance criteria. Buildings between 4,000 and up to 10,000 square feet must achieve a minimum rating of LEED Silver or any comparable performance criteria.

Additionally, renovations of non-school public buildings in excess of 25% of the building and comprising upgrades or replacements of two of the three major systems (HVAC, lighting and plumbing) must be able to