| State: |
Illinois |
| Incentive Type: |
State Rebate Program |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Solar Pool Heating |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Associations |
| Amount: | Residential and commercial solar PV: $1.50/watt or 25% of project costs
Residential and commercial wind: $1.70/watt or 30% of project costs
Public sector and non-profit solar PV: $2.60/watt or 40% of project costs
Public sector and non-profit wind: $2.60/watt or 40% of project costs
All solar thermal projects: 30% of project costs |
| Maximum Incentive: | $10,000
|
| Eligible System Size: | PV systems: Rated design capacity of at least 1 kW;
Solar thermal systems: Designed to produce at least 0.5 therms or 50,000 Btus per day or contain at least 60 sq. ft. of collectors
Wind: Name-plate capacity 1-100 kW |
| Equipment Requirements: | PV systems must be UL-listed or have completed at least one year of field testing
Solar thermal systems must be approved by the SRCC or a comparable organization
Small wind systems: no specific equipment requirements listed |
| Installation Requirements: | Small wind systems: Must be mounted on a tower at least 60 ft in height, 30 ft above any natural features or structures within 300 feet of installation, on a parcel of land 1 acre or greater, and must be installed in location suitable for wind generation. Other wind turbines not meeting these criteria may be considered at the Department's discretion and depending on funding. |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: | Remains with customer/producer |
| Funding Source: | Illinois Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund |
| Program Budget: | 2012: $1.5 million |
| Start Date: | 12/16/1997 |
| Expiration Date: | 04/30/2013 (current applications) |
| Web Site: |
http://www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/C...
|
Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
|
§ 20 ILCS 687/6-1 et seq.
12/16/1997
12/16/1997
|
Authority 2:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
|
§ 20 ILCS 1105/3
2005
2005
|
Note: All funds have been reserved for the FY 2013 program and DCEO is no longer accepting applications for this program. The next application period is expected to open in September 2013. This entry is for informational purposes only.
The State of Illinois Renewable Energy Resources Program (RERP) promotes the development of renewable energy in Illinois. This program is funded by the Renewable Energy Resources Trust Fund - the state's public benefits fund - and is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
Fiscal Year 2013 rates have been reduced compared to previous years. All technologies and sectors are limited to $10,000 per project. The budget is $1.5 million, and applications will be accepted through April 30, 2013, or until funding has been depleted.
- Residential and commercial solar PV: $1.50/watt or 25% of project costs
- Residential and commercial wind: $1.70/watt or 30% of project costs
- Public sector and non-profit solar PV: $2.60/watt or 40% of project costs
- Public sector and non-profit wind: $2.60/watt or 40% of project costs
- All solar thermal projects: 30% of project costs
Eligibility
The program is open to customers of investor-owned and municipal utilities, as well as electric cooperatives, which impose the Renewable Energy Resources and Coal Technology Development Assistance Charge. A list of participating utilities is available on the program website. Eligible applicants include individuals, businesses, associations, public and private schools, colleges and universities, public sector entities, and nonprofit organizations. Rebates are available to applicants that contribute a minimum of 25% of the total project cost (applicant investment or in coordination with financial partners). Applicants may utilize funds from other incentive programs as well, so long as the total incentive from additional programs plus the RERP rebate does not exceed 75% of the project cost (this includes the Federal Individual Tax Credit).
Solar and Wind Equipment Requirements
Photovoltaic (PV) systems must have a rated design capacity of at least 1 kilowatt (kW) and either be listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or have successfully completed at least one year of field testing. Solar-thermal systems must have a rated design capacity of at least 0.5 therms or 50,000 Btus per day and be approved by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a comparable organization. Solar pool-heating systems are eligible for funding only if the pool is open to the general public on a regular basis. With respect to expansions to existing solar-energy systems, only those costs directly related to new panels (equipment and installation) are eligible for funding. Costs associated with new pumps, storage or any other balance-of-system components for expansion projects -– except for new panels –- are ineligible.
Wind energy systems must have a rated nameplate capacity ranging from 1 to 100 kilowatts. Eligible systems must be mounted on a tower of at least 60 feet in height on a land parcel of 1 acre or more. Applicants must also submit documentation verifying that the wind resource at the project site is suitable for wind generation (see the application for details). DCEO may consider urban turbines or other innovative design systems. All systems must be installed by a licensed, bonded and insured professional. For homeowners that choose to self-install systems, only the equipment costs will be eligible for the rebate.
Rebate applicants are encouraged to complete and submit applications to reserve funding before making a financial investment. If eligible, DCEO will issue a "Notice to Proceed" letter and funding will be reserved for 120 days from the date of the application. Applicants then have 120 days to complete installation and submit required documentation, including a notification of project completion letter.
