Solar Water Heat

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Personal)

In South Carolina, taxpayers may claim a credit of 25% of the costs of purchasing and installing a solar energy system, small hydropower system, or a geothermal system for heating water, space heating, air cooling, energy-efficient daylighting, heat reclamation, energy-efficient demand response, or the generation of electricity in a building owned by the taxpayer. Effective July 1, 2009, SB 1141 expanded the scope of this credit to include small hydropower systems. Only hydropower systems installed after July 1, 2009 are eligible for the tax credit. HB 3874 of 2016 expanded the scope again to include geothermal energy projects.

The maximum

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Energy-Efficient Building Standards for State Facilities

In November of 2019, Governor Mills signed Executive Order 13, which requires state agencies to develop and implement a sustainability plan to meet or exceed the states renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction timelines and targets. It further requires the procurement of environmentally preferable products and services, encourage practices that lead to less wasteful workplaces and account for climate change projections when designing or siting new facilities or projects. The full text of the executive order can be found here.

Maine Statutes Title 5, Section 1764-A also requires that plans and designs for the construction of new or substantially renovated

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Renewables and Efficiency in State Facilities & Operations

In May 2006, Hawaii’s governor signed HB 2175 addressing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels in state facilities and operations. This legislation also detailed requirements for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Hawaii’s public schools. 

State law requires energy efficiency and environmental standards for state facilities, motor vehicles, and transportation fuels. Each state agency must meet the following requirements to the extent possible:

  • Buildings must be designed and constructed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “Silver” standard, the two green globes rating system, or another similar guideline, standard, or system that is approved by the
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Orlando Utilities Commission - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers rebates on a variety of energy efficient improvements for residential customers. Customers should view the program brochure on the web site listed above for more information. Eligible measures include:

  • Window film/solar screens
  • High performance windows
  • Building insulation
  • Heat pumps
  • Duct repair/replacement
  • Electric Vehicle

To receive the rebate, a proof of purchase needs to be mailed to OU Customer Connection along with a completed application form. Rebates will be awarded as a credit to the customers OUC bill. 

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City of Tallahassee Utilities - Solar Loans

The City of Tallahassee Utilities offers loans with an interest rate of 5% for a variety of energy-saving measures, including photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water-heating systems. Under this program, customers may borrow up to $20,000 for PV systems. Various other systems can qualify for loans. Loan payments are to be made on monthly utility bills. Customers must first get a vendor price or a contractor's proposal and send it to the utility Energy Services. A city energy audit is required for all solar technology installations. Installation work should not begin until after a signed Loan Promissory Note has been

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Green Building Action Plan for State Facilities

On December 14, 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-20-04, creating a Green Building Action Plan to improve the energy performance of all state buildings. The order established energy savings targets for state facilities, declared the "Silver" level of LEED as the minimum performance standard for new buildings, and to required state government to purchase ENERGY STAR products when cost effective.

Governor Gerry Brown signed Executive Order (B-18-12), in April of 2012, updated some of these requirements while rescinding the earlier Executive Order. It adjusted the energy savings targets such that grid-based energy purchases must be reduced

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Energy Conservation Standards for State Facilities

In August 2004, Delaware’s governor signed House Bill 435, requiring state agencies to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products if they are available competitively and within a reasonable time frame, and if they meet appropriate performance standards. Separately, in February 2010 Governor Markell issued Executive Order No. 18, which sets a variety of energy conservation goals and requirements intended to make the state a leader by example in clean energy and sustainability.

Under Executive Order No. 18, executive branch state agencies and departments were required to reduce energy consumption by 30% by the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 when compared

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Greening of State Government

History

Colorado has established mandatory sustainability requirements for the design and construction of state-owned buildings (including schools), state-assisted buildings, and publicly-assisted housing projects buildings. In July 2005, Colorado’s governor signed Executive Order D005 05, mandating that state agencies and departments evaluate business operations and implement new programs “to promote environmentally sustainable and economically efficient practices.” The order also created the Colorado Greening Government Coordinating Council (CGGCC), made up of representatives from each state agency and department, to develop and implement new conservation policies and augment existing ones.

Green Goals

In October 2015, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed Executive Order D

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Green Building Standards for State Facilities

Effective July 1, 2005, Act 1770 (the Arkansas Energy and Natural Resources Conservation Act), encourages (but does not require) all state agencies, including institutions of higher education, to use Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Globes rating systems whenever possible and appropriate in conducting or funding a public building project.

Title 22 of the Arkansas Code includes Arkansas-specific provisions for LEED and Green Globes certification. These rating systems add to the state building energy code established in 2004 for New Building Construction. Under the Arkansas-specific provisions, those pursuing LEED certification receive additional credit for the use of
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Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption

Arizona’s property tax exemption was established in June 2006 (H.B. 2429) and originally applied only to “solar energy devices and any other device or system designed for the production of solar energy for on-site consumption.” For property tax assessment purposes, these devices are considered to add no value to the property.

A "solar energy device" for the purpose of this incentive is defined as "a system or series of mechanisms designed primarily to provide heating, to provide cooling, to produce electrical power, to produce mechanical power, to provide solar daylighting or to provide any combination of the foregoing

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