Good news for homeowners and businesses in Maine looking to get solar: the state has re-opened its solar energy rebate program. Here’s a quick rundown of the solar rebate levels:
- Solar thermal systems are eligible for a rebate worth up to 25 percent of installed costs, capped at $1,000.
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems receive a rebate of $2.00/watt, up to $2,000
Capped at $2,000, the PV rebate is admittedly modest. But every little bit helps. In combination with the 30-percent federal tax credit — or, for businesses that install solar in 2009 or 2010, a 30-percent federal renewable energy grant — the Maine solar rebate will undoubtedly help reduce installed costs. If the past is any indication, Mainers will be clambering to apply: previous application cycles have been oversubscribed due to strong consumer interest and limited funding. By no means is Maine’s rebate program alone in this regard.
Interesting side note: it appears some of that federal stimulus money is finally starting to hit the pavement, so to speak. On Tuesday, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced that the current round of rebate funding has been made possible by combining existing state resources with new federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
To be eligible, the system must be installed by a professional certified by the PUC. The Maine Solar Rebate Program will begin accepting applications (again) on Monday, July 6. Go here for details.
[UPDATE: For an interesting look at where the federal recovery dollars are going, check out this cool interactive U.S. map, from Recovery.org.]
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