Solar Energy System Incentives Program

August 10, 2011

Summary

Note: The information below is for reference only. There is no more funding available for this rebate program. This program received $14.4 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This funding was used to award rebates to systems in the application queue. FY 2009-2010 is the last year of the solar rebate program and the last year the program could be funded under the current authorizing statute. This program has not been extended by the Florida Legislature and will expire June 30, 2010. November 16, 2010, the Florida Legislature approved additional funding for the rebate program for systems that were approved during the program but never received reimbursement. Questions regarding rebates should be directed toward the Florida Energy & Climate Commission at 850-487-3800 or energy@eog.myflorida.com.

Florida's Solar Energy System Incentives Program was established in June 2006 (SB 888) to provide financial incentives for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010. A total of $2.5 million was available for FY 2006-2007; $3.5 million was available for FY 2007-2008, and $5 million was available for FY 2008-09.

The program, administered by the Florida Energy & Climate Commission, provides rebates to Florida residents, businesses, non-profits and public facilities that purchase and install new photovoltaic (PV) systems two kilowatts (kW) or larger in capacity, solar water heating systems that provide at least 50% of a building's hot water consumption, and a solar thermal pool heaters.

The incentive amounts for each solar technology are as follows:

Solar PV Systems

Residential: $4/watt DC, up to $20,000
Commercial, Non-profit, Multi-Family and Public Facilities: $4/watt DC, up to $100,000

Solar Water Heating Systems

Residential: $500 per installation
Commercial, Non-profit, Multi-Family and Public Facilities: $15 per 1,000 BTU per day, up to $5,000 (BTUs must be metered)

Solar Thermal Pool Heaters

$100 per installation

Applications for the rebate must be submitted within 120 days of the purchase of the solar energy equipment.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Florida
Incentive Type:	Rebate Program
Web Site:	http://myfloridaclimate.com/climate_quick_links/florida_energy_climate_commission/solar_rebate_program
Administrator:	Florida Energy Office
Start Date:	2/16/2009
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Water Heat Solar Photovoltaics Solar Pool Heating
Incentive Amount:	PV: $4/watt DC Solar Water Heaters: Residential - $500; Non-residential & Multi-family - $15 per 1,000 BTU/day Solar Pool Heaters: $100
Maximum Incentive:	PV: Residential - $20,000; Non-residential - $100,000 Solar Water Heaters: Residential - $500; Non-residential & Multi-family - $5,000 Solar Pool Heaters: $100
Eligible System Size:	PV: 2 kW and larger Solar water heaters must provide at least 50% of a buildingâ€™s hot water consumption
Equipment Requirements:	The Florida Energy & Climate Commission recommends that solar systems be certified by FSEC. All solar energy systems sold in Florida are required by Florida law (FS 377.705) to be approved by the Florida Solar Energy Center
Installation Requirements:	PV: Must be installed by a licensed master electrician or state-licensed electrical, solar contractor, or certified general contractor Solar Water and Pool Heaters: Must be installed by a state-licensed solar or plumbing contractor or a certified general contractor or a roofing contractor installing standing seam hybrid thermal roofs
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits:	Remains with system owner

Authorities

Name:	Fla. Stat. Â§ 377.806
Date Enacted:	6/19/2006 (subsequently amended)
Expiration Date:	6/30/2010 (solar incentives provision)

Name:	Rule 27N-1.500 (Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program)
Effective Date:	02/16/2009

Name:	HB 15A
Date Enacted:	11/16/2010
Effective Date:	11/16/2010

Contact

Name:	General Florida Energy Office
Organization:	Governor's Office of Energy & Climate Change
Address:	600 S. Calhoun Street Tallahassee FL 32399
Phone:	(850) 487-3800
Email:	energy@eog.myflorida.com

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.