A municipal utility in the US state of Massachusetts has created a new solar photovoltaic (PV) rebate program for customers in its service area. The 36,000 customers of Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant (TMLP, Taunton, Massachusetts, US) are eligible for a rebate of USD$4/watt for the first 2.5KW of solar PV projects, with a maximum rebate of USD$10,000. The utility presented its first customer with a check for the maximum rebate on July 22, 2010. "We’re pleased that customers are responding to our new TMLP Solar Rebate Program", explained TMLP General Manager Michael Horrigan. "It has long been our strategy to maintain a healthy green energy portfolio (including energy conservation, landfill gas, biomass and high-efficiency natural gas - esp. as it relates to our proposed Unit 10) and this is just one more tool in the bag enabling us to do so."

TMLP rebate in addition to state, federal rebates

The TMLP Solar Rebate is in addition to a USD$1,000 credit from the state of Massachusetts and the 30% federal tax credit. Massachusetts solar installers Brightstar Solar LLC (Boston, Massachusetts, US) note that as a municipal utility, TMLP had the option of participating in the state's Commonwealth II Solar rebate for a fee, but instead chose to use USD$350,000 to create its own incentive program. Program funds will be spent on a first-come, first-serve basis.

TMLP serves customers in the Massachusetts towns of Taunton, Raynham, Berkley, North Dighton and sections in Lakeville and Bridgewater.

2010-09-03| Courtesy: TMLP | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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