Solar Manufacturing Incentive Grant (SMIG) Program

July 14, 2021

Summary

Created in 1995 and administered jointly by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Solar Manufacturing Incentive Grant (SMIG) Program offers up to $4.5 million per year to encourage the production of photovoltaic panels in Virginia. The incentive is paid at a rate of up to $0.75 per watt for panels sold in a calendar year, with a maximum of 6 MW.

New manufacturers that meet certain production and other criteria are eligible to receive annual incentive grants for six years. The amount will be awarded as follows:

Years 1 and 2 - $0.75/watt
Years 3 and 4 - $0.50/watt
Years 5 and 6 - $0.25/watt

In April 2011, H.B. 2316 (S.B. 1360) repealed the SMIG Program and replaced it with the Clean Energy Manufacturing Incentive Grant Program. The SMIG Program will be repealed on July 1, 2013. SMIG grants based on sales made in 2011 cannot exceed $1 million. Any claims above $1 million will be prorated among applicants, as described in the statutes.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Virginia
Incentive Type:	Industry Recruitment/Support
Web Site:
Administrator:	Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Start Date:	1/1/1996
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Photovoltaics
Incentive Amount:	Varies
Maximum Incentive:	$4.5 million per year

Authorities

Name:	Va. Code Â§ 45.1-392
Effective Date:	1/1/1996
Expiration Date:	07/01/2013

Name:	H.B. 2316
Date Enacted:	04/06/2011
Effective Date:	07/01/2013

Contact

Name:	Department of Environmental Quality
Address:	1105 East Main Street, Ste. 1400 Richmond VA 23219
Phone:	(804) 698-4000

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.