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Incentive for Small Wind

 
Incentive Type: State Rebate Program
State: California
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Wind, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Schools, Low-Income Residential, Agricultural, Institutional
Incentive Amount:Wind: $2.50/W for first 7.5 kW; $1.50/W for increments >7.5 kW and <30 kW; Fuel cells: $3.00/W
Eligible System Size:Less than 30 kW; Wind systems up to 50 kW may participate, but rebate is limited to less than 30 kW
Equipment Requirements:All major system components must be new and approved by the California Energy Commission; Must carry a minimum 5-year warranty on all equipment; All systems must be installed with a performance meter.
Installation Requirements:Must be grid-connected and installed by a California-licensed contractor to receive full rebate. This requirement does not apply to fuel cell systems used for backup generation for emergency, safety, or telecommunication purposes.
Owner-installed systems are allowed, but incentive is reduced by 15%.
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits:Remains with customer/producer
Web Site: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate
Date Effective:1998



Summary:
The California Energy Commission offers cash incentives to promote the installation of grid-connected small wind and fuel cell renewable energy electric-generating systems through its Emerging Renewables Program. Wind systems must be permanently interconnected to the electrical distribution grid of the utility serving the customer’s electrical load, but fuel cells used for backup generation for emergency, safety, or telecommunication purposes do not need to be grid-connected. To qualify for an incentive, the participant must be a customer of one of the utilities contributing funds to support the program -- Pacific Gas& Electric Company , Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, or Southern California Water Company (doing business as Bear Valley Electric Service).  
 
Effective January 1, 2007, rebate levels for the Emerging Renewables Program are:
  • Small Wind Turbines (up to 50 kW): $2.50/W for first 7.5 kW and $1.50/W for increments > 7.5 kW and < 30 kW  
  • Fuel cells (<30 kW) using renewable fuels: $3.00/W for systems less than 30 kW
Rebates for eligible renewable energy systems installed on affordable housing projects are available at 25% above the standard rebate level up to 75% of the system’s installed cost.  
 
Incentives received from sources other than this program, such as other utility incentive programs, a State of California sponsored incentive program, or a federal government sponsored incentive program, other than tax credits, will reduce the amount of the Emerging Renewables Program rebate by no less than 5% to prevent total incentives from exceeding total system costs.  
 
The renewable energy system must generate electricity to offset the consumer's on-site electrical load, but the expected production may not be more than the historical or expected electrical needs of the consumer.  
 
Funding for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on new residential construction is available under the Energy Commission’s New Solar Homes Partnership program. Funding for the installation and operation of solar photovoltaic systems on existing residential and new and existing non-residential buildings is available under the California Public Utilities Commission’s California Solar Initiative. Information on these two programs can be found at www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov.


 
Contact:
  Energy Call Center
California Energy Commission
Emerging Renewables Program
1516 9th Street MS-45
Sacramento, CA 95814-5512
Phone: (800) 555-7794
Fax: (916) 654-4058
E-Mail: renewable@energy.state.ca.us
Web Site: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate