Renewable Energy Incentive Program

Summary

In February 2009, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) introduced the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP), a rebate for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. In April 2012, solar thermal systems became eligible for the REIP program. The REIP is funded through the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund which is supported by a public benefits charge on utility bills. Funding for the program is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are fully committed.

Eligibility

Most PEPCO customers within the District of Columbia are eligible for incentives under this program; however, the federal government, the D.C. government, and public schools are specifically identified as ineligible. PV systems must be at least 1 kW in order to qualify and should be sized not to exceed on-site energy consumption as measured for the previous 12 months. There is no maximum system size, although incentives are capped at $10,000 per site per fiscal year.  Solar thermal systems should be sized tooffset minimum of 10,000kWth (341.2 Therms) of energy per year. Maximum incentives for solar thermal are capped at $2,000 for residential and $6,000 for non-residential projects.

Projects must be located within the District of Columbia and applicants must be customers of PEPCO. Projects receiving incentives must be grid-connected and must follow the interconnection, operation, and metering guidelines set by Pepco and the DC Public Service Commission. Large systems must have remote communication capabilities for monitoring of the performance meter. Third party ownership by Certified Business Enterprise is allowed.  

Program Description

The incentives for Solar Thermal residential systems are 20% of the installed cost up to a maximum of $2,000. The incentives for solar thermal non-residential systems are 20% of installed cost up to a maximum of $6,000. The current incentive for PV systems is $0.50/watt. The project must be completed within 6 months after the date the incentive request is approved.

Applicants must get a site assessment and conduct a pre-qualification application to get a reservation number. Once the pre-qualification application is approved, the applicant must complete a final application. If funds run out for a given year, applicants hold their place in line for one year with their reservation number and may receive funding the next year. The system must be completed within six months of the award date. If the system is not completed, the applicant may apply for a six month extension. If the system is not completed at the end of the extension, then the rebate must be returned to DDOE.

For more information, additional requirements and program history please view the Solar PV Program Guidelines or Solar Thermal Program Guidelines.

* While the this level of funding remains memorialized in the D.C. Code, funding for the program has been diverted to other uses at least twice in the recent past. The authorized amount of $ 1.1 million for Fiscal Year 2011, $2 million in Fiscal Year 2012, and $1 million for Fiscal Year 2013.