Rebates

In March 2011, the Virginia legislature enacted broad guidelines for local ordinances for solar and wind. The law states that any local ordinance related to the siting of solar or wind energy facilities must:

• Be consistent with the Commonwealth Energy Policy (§ 67-102)
• Provide reasonable criteria for wind and solar energy siting, protecting the locality while promoting wind and solar development
• Establish reasonable requirements for noise limitations, buffer areas, set backs, and facility decommissioning

In April 2011, the Virginia legislature created the Voluntary Solar Resource Development Fund. The fund is administered by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME). All utilities are required to provide a link on their web site to the DMME web site, where customers can make contributions to the fund. Utilities must also provide opportunities for customers to donate through their paper newsletters, emails or bills.

The fund will be used to provide loans for residential, commercial, or nonprofit solar energy projects. Qualifying solar energy projects cannot be acquired, installed or operating before July 1, 2012.

The Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) was created in 1984 and provides financial assistance to local governments in Virginia for a variety of projects, including energy and energy conservation projects. In March 2011, H.B. 2389 added "renewable energy" to the list of eligible projects (though it may have already been technically eligible under the "energy" category). VRA offers a couple financing options, including the Virginia Pooled Financing Program and Revolving Loan Funds. Interested entities can use the contact form available on the VRA web site in order to discuss financing options with VRA staff.

In January 2007, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted rules to require that all new county buildings greater than 10,000 square feet be LEED Silver certified. All buildings authorized and fully funded on or after February 15, 2007 must achieve the certification. Certain buildings may be exempt from the requirement at the recommendation of the Chief Administrative Officer.

Note: The Regional Planning Commission is considering amendments to the requirements outlined here. See the website above for the most recent information related to this process.

In November 2008, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a series of ordinances which created the Green Building Program. The ordinances included the Green Building Ordinance (2008-0065), the Drought Tolerant Ordinance (2008-0064), and the Low Impact Development Ordinance (2008-0063). These standards are updated periodically, and apply to new buildings constructed in Los Angeles County. If a reconstruction of a building exceeds 50% of its market value, it is subject to green building

The Zoning Code (Chapter 25-2) of the Austin City Code provides a height limitation exemption for solar installations. Solar installations may exceed the zoning district height limit by 15% or the amount necessary to comply with a federal or state regulation, whichever is greater.

The Zoning Code also allows for preservation plans in historic districts to incorporate sustainability measures such as solar technologies and other energy generation and efficiency measures.

The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability and the Department of Code Enforcement offer reduction in permit fees for projects achieving certain green building criteria. Property owners and developers constructing new buildings or completing major renovations on existing buildings are eligible to receive the incentive. Projects located within Indianapolis or Marion County are eligible.

There are six green building categories. Meeting the minimum criteria for three categories qualifies the project for a 30% rebate on permit fees.  For each additional category that the project meets, it will receive an additional 10% off permit fees. The maximum rebate amount is 50%. The six

New York enacted legislation in July 2005 exempting the sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state's sales and compensating use taxes. The exemption applies to solar-energy systems that utilize solar radiation to produce energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water and/or electricity. In 2012 the exemption was also extended to commercial solar energy systems, effective January 1, 2013. In 2015 the exemption was extended to solar systems that are owned by third party owners, who provide solar electricity to residential and commercial users. Both solar lease payments and the receipts of the sale of electricity by

LADWP allows its customers to net meter their photovoltaic (PV), wind, and hybrid systems with a capacity of not more than one megawatt. LADWP will provide the necessary metering equipment unless an installation requires atypical metering equipment. In these cases the customer must cover the additional metering expenses. The customer must also pay any related interconnection fees.  

Excess kilowatt-hours (kWh) generated by the customer's system will be credited toward their future bills.  Excess bill credits, however, may not be used to offset taxes, minimum charges, or other charges which are not based on energy.  If a bill credit still

In May 2011 Maryland enacted legislation providing a sales and use tax exemption for sales of electricity from qualifying solar energy and residential wind energy equipment to residential customers. In order to qualify for the exemption, the sale of electricity must be for residential use on a property owned by a net metering eligible customer-generator. Maryland already exempted energy sales under residential or domestic rate schedules on file with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) from the sales and use tax. The law therefore places sales/purchases of electricity under residential solar or wind retail power purchase agreements (PPAs) on a