Printer Friendly Document - Utility Incentives

Entergy Texas - Solar PV Pilot Program

Incentive Type
 Utility Rebate Program
State
 Texas
Eligible Tech.
 Photovoltaics 
Applicable Sectors


 Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, Builder/Developer, State Government, Installer/Contractor, Tribal Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Must be an Entergy Texas Customer 
Incentive Amount
 $2.50/W DC
Max. Incentive

 Residential: $25,000
Non-residential: $125,000 
Eligible System Size

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



 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.
Installation Requirements



 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 Entergy's registered Service Provider list (specific eligibility requirements)
Program Budget
 $450,000 (2009)
Ownership of
Renewable Energy Credits
Entergy

Expiration Date
 12/31/2009 or when funds are exhausted (2009 program year) 
Project Review/Certification

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



Summary:
Entergy Texas 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. Entergy 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 for residential systems and $125,000 for non-residential systems. Larger systems are eligible, but may only receive incentives for the first 10 kilowatts (kW) for residential systems and 50 kW for non-residential systems. 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. Entergy takes ownership of all renewable energy certificates (RECs) produced by rebated systems.  
 
The total program budget is $450,000 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.php

For more questions, please visit our website at: www.NovastarEnergy.com
Or call us, at: 210-853-5330