Solar Thermal Process Heat

Met-Ed / Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund

FirstEnergy (formerly GPU) established the Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed) Sustainable Energy Fund in 2000 with an initial contribution of $5.7 million. The fund later received an additional contribution of $2.5 million as a result of the merger between GPU Energy and FirstEnergy, bringing the total to $8.2 million. The fund is administered by the Berks County Community Foundation. The majority of funding available from the Metropolitan Edison Company SEF takes the form of investments made in businesses pursuing one or more of the fund's objectives. These funds typically will be distributed as loans or equity investments, but a limited number

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Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)

Note: The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) repealed the ability for "energy property" to qualify for the 5-year Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS). Instead, the OBBB permanently restored 100% bonus depreciation in year one. The summary below discusses MACRS as it existed for energy property prior to the enactment of the OBBB. 

Prior to the OBBB, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased bonus depreciation to 100% for qualified property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017 and before January 1, 2023. Bonus depreciation steps down by 20% each year beginning with 80% in

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Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Note: The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) made significant changes to this tax credit. To qualify for the tax credit, solar and wind energy systems must be either placed in service by December 31, 2027, or construction must commence by July 4, 2026. Additionally, the tax credit is not available for systems that commenced construction after December 31, 2025 if the facility or property includes any material assistance from a prohibited foreign entity.

The tax credit for non-solar and wind technologies (combined heat and power, energy storage, hydropower, and geothermal) will experience the following step-down in value:

  • Construction commences
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Penelec SEF of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Loan Program (FirstEnergy Territory)

FirstEnergy (formerly GPU) established the Metropolitan Edison Company Sustainable Energy Fund and the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund in 2000. The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in Johnstown, Pennsylvania administers the Penelec loan and grant components of the Fund, which has assets of approximately $9.1 million. The majority of funding available from the fund takes the form of investments made in businesses pursuing one or more of the fund's objectives. These funds typically will be distributed as loans or equity investments. The program is open to any individual, organization, governmental entity, or corporation. Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund and Metropolitan Edison Sustainable

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Renewable Portfolio Standard

Hawaii's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires each electric utility company that sells electricity for consumption in Hawaii to have the following percentages of electricity sales come from renewable energy by the corresponding date. H.B. 2089 of 2022 amended the RPS to be based on net electricity generation rather than retail sales beginning in compliance year 2030. 

  • 10% of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2010;
  • 15% of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2015;
  • 30% of its net electricity sales by December 31, 2020;
  • 40% of its net electricity generation by December 31, 2030;
  • 70% of its net
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Sustainable Development Fund Financing Program (PECO Territory)

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission created the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) in its final order of the PECO Energy electric utility restructuring proceeding. The Reinvestment Fund, Inc. (TRF), which was formed in 1985 to build wealth and opportunity for low-wealth communities and low- and moderate-income individuals, administers the SDF. The SDF later received additional funding and responsibilities as a result of the PECO Energy/Unicom merger settlement. That settlement added funding for new wind development, for solar photovoltaics and for renewable energy education, as well as a lump-sum payment and an increase in SDF's core fund. In total, the fund has

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Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund

According to § 20 ILCS 687/6-4, the statute this trust is under will be repealed on December 31, 2021. 

Illinois's 1997 electric-industry restructuring legislation created separate public benefits funds that support renewable energy and residential energy efficiency. The Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund (RERTF) supports renewables through grants, loans and other incentives administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The funding mechanism was established for 10 years in January 1998. In August 2007, funding was extended through December 12, 2015.

Renewable-energy projects eligible for RERTF support include wind energy, solar-thermal energy, photovoltaics, dedicated crops

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Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund

Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund

Rhode Island's Public Utilities Restructuring Act of 1996 created the nation's first public benefits fund for renewable energy and demand-side management (DSM). The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund's renewable-energy component is administered by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI) formerly known as the Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), and the fund's DSM programs are administered by the state's electric and gas distribution companies, subject to review by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC).

Funding and Budget

CommerceRI’s Renewable Energy Fund is supported by a surcharge on electric and gas customers' bills. Initially, the surcharge

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Universal System Benefits Program

Montana established the Universal System Benefits Program (USBP) in 1997 as part of its restructuring legislation. The USBP supports cost-effective energy conservation, low-income customer weatherization, renewable-energy projects and applications, research and development programs related to energy conservation and renewables, market transformation designed to encourage competitive markets for public purpose programs, and low-income energy assistance.

Beginning January 1, 1999, all electric utilities -- including electric cooperatives -- were required to contribute revenue generated from a surcharge on customers' electricity use. In 1997, the surcharge was set through electricity restructuring legislation and was based on 2.4% of electric utilities' 1995 revenues. This

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Solar Contractor Licensing

Utah's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requires installers of solar energy systems to be licensed contractors. General electrical contractors carrying an S200 or an S201 license are authorized to install solar photovoltaic systems. The Division has also established solar-specific license classifications. License classification S202 is for Solar Photovoltaic Contractors, and S215 is for Solar Thermal Systems Contractors. A Solar Photovoltaic Contractor is licensed for the fabrication, construction, installation, and replacement of photovoltaic cell panels and related components including battery storage systems, distribution panels, switch gear, electrical wires, inverters, and other electrical apparatus for solar photovoltaic systems. A Solar Thermal

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