The Delaware Electric Cooperative (Greenwood, Delaware, U.S.) announced a new program that will provide incentives for renewable energy projects.

The program offers incentives for solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, wind, geothermal, and fuel cell systems installed by DEC member-owners. The program will accept requests for grant funding during calendar year 2012 until this year’s program budget of USD 268,979.92 is exhausted.

Program offers incentives to both residential and non-residential members

Incentives are available to both residential and non-residential member-owners based upon average peak demand over a 12 month period. Eligibility is limited to systems that are intended to supply on-site energy needs. Systems are subject to a variety of equipment, installation and warranty requirements, including limitations on system orientation and shading for solar energy systems.

Class A member-owners are defined as those with an average monthly peak electric demand of 50 kilowatts (kW) or less over the previous twelve months. Class B member-owners are those with an average monthly peak electric demand of greater than 50 kW over the previous 12 months. Maximum incentives are up to USD 7,500 for Class A and USD 10,000 for Class B and non-profit systems.

Energy audit is required for incentives

Applicants may be required to have an energy audit performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified contractor prior to grant approval. Energy Star homes may be exempted from this requirement. Solar thermal systems used for domestic water heating or in radiant heating applications must reduce or eliminate the need for electric or gas heated water.

The Delaware Energy Office processes applications and conducts technical reviews for the program. The program rules do not specify the ownership of renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with system energy production; however, net metering customers in Delaware retain ownership of RECs unless they voluntarily relinquish such ownership.

2012-02-18| Courtesy: Delaware Electric | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at:
www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html