One of the most critical steps a local government can take in supporting solar is to create local solar incentives and to demonstrate the viability of solar power themselves through installations on municipal properties.
If you'd like more information about financing and incentives available for residential and commercial installations, visit our homeowners' and business' Payment Options and Available Incentives pages.
This fund supports affordable energy efficiency loans to Plano homeowners and will continue to offer future loans as existing loans are paid off, "which will benefit up to 1,365 residential projects estimated at $7 million in value over the next 10 years."
Austin Energy's capacity-based incentive for residential PV installations is offered for up to 10 kW of solar installed per home. Incentives are divided into levels with specific capacity allotments. Currently, Austin Energy is offering up to $0.80 per watt for 2.0 megawatts AC capacity systems, and the incentive will be reduced as capacity allotment for the incentive level is achieved.
This program offers a "Roofless Solar" community solar farm option as well as "SolarHostSA," a program that installs and maintains solar panels on appropriate residential and commercial rooftops at no cost to the property-owner or resident.
"Property Assessed Clean Energy" (PACE) is a financing tool that reduces up-front cost for a property owner, but transfers financing terms with the property if it's sold. This can greatly reduce the perceived risk to the property owner and help make solar a more attractive investment. The State of Texas enacted the PACE Act during the 2013 Texas legislative session, authorizing local governments to implement PACE programs within their jurisdictions. While the PACE Act creates the statutory framework for PACE programs, local governments must still adopt a resolution to create a program, and they have broad discretion in designing the specific attributes of their PACE programs. Cities who are interested in supporting solar by creating PACE districts should review the following resources.
All of the design elements, documents, and implementation steps necessary for a local government to establish an effective PACE program quickly and economically. From the non-profit business association, Keeping PACE in Texas.
A toolkit on retail solar power purchase agreements for local governments and other public entities considering the installation and finance of rooftop solar systems.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies the promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
