Solar Photovoltaics

Miami-Dade County - Florida PACE Finance Programs

Note:  In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activity subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing

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San Diego County - Design Standards for County Facilities

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors established design standards for county facilities and property. Among other requirements,  the policy requires that all new county buildings or major building renovations obtain U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Building Certification. Renovations of over 5,000 square feet  are considered major renovations. Buildings over 10,000 square feet require LEED Enhanced Commissioning. Additionally, county projects are required to attain the lowest EUI (Energy Use Intensity) possible within the client's program and project's budget. County projects are also required to exceed the current California Energy Code Title 24 by at least 20%.

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City of Danville - Net Metering

City of Danville Utilities allows its customers to participate in net metering. Production and consumption are netted over the course of the monthly billing period. Any excess generation remaining at the end of the monthly is carried forward to the following month.  

For a renewable fuel generator with a capacity of 25 kilowatts (kW) or less, a notification form must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date the customer intends to interconnect their renewable fuel generator to the utility's facilities. Renewable fuel generators with a capacity over 25 kW are required to submit forms no later than

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Sales Tax Credit for Clean Energy Technology

Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-6-346 allows a taxpayer to take a credit, apply for a refund of taxes paid, or to apply for authority to make tax-exempt purchases of machinery and equipment used to produce electricity in a certified green energy production facility. A certified green energy production facility is a facility certified by the Department of Environment and Conservation as producing electricity for use and consumption on and off the premises using clean energy technology. Clean energy technology is a technology used to generate electricity from geothermal, hydrogen, solar, or wind sources, and includes storage paired with these technology

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CoServ - Solar Energy Rebate

CoServ Electric Cooperative provides a rebate to its members who installation a solar energy system on their property. Customers must sign an interconnection agreement (with net metering) for on-site generation with CoServ. Any excess generation from the system will be given to CoServ without compensation.

Interested customers are encouraged to contact the utility for more details before making investment decisions.

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City of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Shines Solar Financing

Beginning July 28, 2011, the City of Milwaukee will be offering low-interest loans for solar energy under its Milwaukee Shines Solar Financing program. Loans are available to homeowners of 1-3 unit, owner-occupied homes in Milwaukee. Interest rate maximum is prime rate plus 2.5%, and as low as prime plus 1.5%. Loans are limited to $20,000 and 15 years. Eligible equipment includes solar electric systems of up to 6 kilowatts (kW) and solar hot water systems of up to 8 panels. Projects must be installed by a Focus on Energy Residential Ally installer. Installers can be found here. Eligible expenses

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Maricopa County - Renewable Energy Systems Zoning Ordinance

The Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance contains provisions for siting renewable energy systems. Renewable energy systems other than utility-scale electric generating facilities are allowed as an accessory use within any zoning district as long as certain siting requirements are met. Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) or concentrating solar power (CSP) facilities are allowed as a primary or accessory use within any IND-3 zoning district, subject to the district's zoning standards and that any water consumed in the production of electricity is supplied from a renewable water source.

Lot Coverage: Small wind systems and dish type collectors do not constitute an increase to

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Solar Permitting Law

With the passage of HB 3516 in June 2011, solar permit application approval is a "ministerial function", provided a system meets certain guidelines. To qualify for this simplified permitting process, a solar system must not expand the footprint or peak height of the residential or commercial structure that the system is installed upon. The system must also be aligned so that it is parallel to the slope of the roof.

This legislation also addressed permitting fees for solar systems.  Counties may not charge permit fees for solar permit applications specifically, but they can charge building permit fees for the project

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Be SMART Home Energy Loan Program

Note: The eligible technologies listed above are only examples of some improvements that might be supported under this program. Other improvements may be eligible.

Under the Be SMART Home Energy Loan program, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers loans to homeowners for energy efficiency retrofit projects and installing ENERGY STAR products in their primary residence. The program offers unsecured loans of up to $30,000 at 6.99% interest rate for terms of 10 years. The minimum loan amount is $5,000.

Participants may choose their own contractor that is licensed and insured in Maryland. In addition, in order

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Texas Solar Rights

Property Owners' Associations (also known as Homeowners' Associations or HOAs) may not prohibit or restrict property owners from installing a solar energy device. There are, however, several exceptions that allow HOAs to enforce provisions that could prohibit the solar energy devices in certain situations.

Associations may prohibit solar energy devices if they are found to be illegal or violate public health and safety, as decided by a court. HOAs may prohibit or regulate solar on common property within the subdivision or property that is owned or maintained by the association. HOAs may also regulate (or prohibit) solar devices that are

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