Utility Rebate Program
Texas
Photovoltaics

Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, Builder/Developer, State Government, Installer/Contractor, Tribal Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Must be a TNMP Customer

$2.50/W DC
$25,000

2 MW (interconnection and net metering limit); system must be sized so that estimated production does not exceed annual on-site energy consumption

Equipment must be new and listed as eligible under the California Solar Initiative; revenue-grade, bi-directional solar meter required to measure system output; systems must have an all-inclusive five-year warranty against breakdown or degradation of more than 10% from rated output.

Systems must be grid-connected and installed on the customer's side of the meter; estimated system performance must be at least 80% of optimal, unshaded output as measured by PVWatts; Must use Service Provider from TNMP's registered Service Provider list (specific eligibility requirements)

$90,000 (2009)

Customer


12/31/2009 or when funds are exhausted (2009 program year)

Program manager may perform both pre- and post-installation inspections. Projects are subject to performance verification up to 5 years after completion.
http://www.txreincentives.com/tpv/index.html

Summary:
Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP) offers rebates to its customers that install photovoltaic (PV) systems on homes or other buildings. The program is currently slated to operate on a pilot basis for two years. TNMP customers of all rate classes (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.) are eligible to participate in the program. The term "customer" means "the entity with financial responsibility for paying the electric bill for the meter behind which the distributed solar energy equipment is to be installed." Rebates may be assigned to the customer, a service provider, or a third party.  

Rebates for new construction projects are permitted, but could involve complications that conflict with program guidelines. Special considerations and rules also apply to apartments, rentals, condominiums, leased properties, large companies, and government agencies. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the program manager prior to submitting an application.  

Rebates are offered at a flat rate of $2.50 per watt (DC) for all customers with a maximum rebate of $25,000. Larger systems are eligible, but may only receive incentives for the first 10 kilowatts (kW) of installed capacity. Individual system size is limited by the Texas interconnection and net metering limits for distributed renewable generation (currently 2 MW). In addition, systems may not be sized to produce energy in excess of that required to meet annual on-site energy consumption. Customers may only apply for one rebate per point of service, as defined by a unique meter ESI-ID number. Customers with multiple points of service are therefore permitted to apply for multiple rebates, subject to the restriction above and other program limits (e.g., limits on total incentives available to a single customer).  

Systems must be new, connected to the grid on the customer side of the meter, meet minimum estimated performance requirements (80% of optimum), and meet all applicable code and utility interconnection requirements. In addition, all equipment (i.e., modules, inverters and meters) must be listed as eligible under the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and meet several other quality assurance requirements. All installations must be performed service providers who meet program eligibility requirements. Service providers are also subject to ongoing quality assurance standards and are required to attend technical training sessions. Installations may be subject to a variety of inspection and performance monitoring requirements in the short- and long-term. System owners retain title to renewable energy certificates (RECs) produced by their system.  

The total program budget is $90,000 for the 2009 program year, which runs from June 1 to December 31, 2009. No single customer or Service Provider may reserve more than 50% of available funds during a program year. Contact program personnel for additional information on applications, incentive eligibility, installer qualifications and other program details.

Contact:
Steve Wiese
Entergy Solar PV Pilot Program
1515 S Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 110
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (800) 381-6552
E-Mail: epv@cleanenergyassociates.com
Web Site: http://www.txreincentives.com/epv/index.html