Solar in New York City Managing Lean and Green April 5, 2011 Pratt Center for Community Development Photo: Solar Energy Systems
Solar America Cities Program A brief history 2007-2009: Accomplishments NYC Solar Market Study White paper on policies and barriers PV Interconnection Study Con Edison streamlined process Expansion of state net-metering law Solar America City Partners 2010: Awarded over $1 million from DOE and NYSERDA Web-based Solar Map Solar Empowerment Zones Data acquisition and monitoring Solar Ombudsmen Funding for outreach and training
Solar Hot Water Photo: Mercury Solar Systems Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Solar Electricity (PV) Photo: EmPower Solar Source: U.S. Department of Energy
Solar Hot Water or Solar PV Decisions, decisions Without incentives, solar hot water systems are often more cost-effective than solar PV. The right technology can vary depending on building energy usage, metering configuration, incentive eligibility, and more.
Residential Solar Hot Water Incentives Up to $4,000 incentive from NYSERDA (if solar hot water system offsets electric water heater) 30% federal tax credit 25% NY state tax credit (up to $5,000) Low-interest loans through NYSERDA Additional NYSERDA incentives for low-income households (up to $5,000 for single family homes or $10,000 for 2-4 family homes)
NYC Commercial Solar PV 2011 is the year for commercial solar PV incentives NYSERDA Incentive of up to $87,500 per project ($1.75 per Watt-DC). Investment Tax Credit/U.S. Treasury Grant worth 30% of the installed cost of a solar energy system. NYC Property Tax Abatement worth up to 20% of the installed cost of the system after rebates. Bonus Depreciation: systems installed during 2011 are eligible for 100% first year bonus depreciation.
NYC Residential Solar PV NYSERDA Incentive of up to $12,250 per project ($1.75 per Watt-DC). Federal Tax Credit worth 30% of the cost of a solar energy system. NYC Property Tax Abatement worth up to 20% of the installed cost of a system after the NYSERDA incentive. New York State Tax Credit worth up to 25% of the cost of a system after the NYSERDA incentive, capped at $5,000.
Solar PV for Tax-Exempt Residential Buildings NYSERDA Incentive of up to $1.75 per Watt-DC. We re in the red! What are some solutions?
Solution: Third-Party Ownership Models Solar Lease or Solar Power Purchase Agreement Third party ownership allows affordable housing developments that install solar to take advantage of valuable federal tax incentives. NYSERDA Incentive of up to $12,250 per project ($1.75 per Watt- DC). Investment Tax Credit/U.S. Treasury Grant worth 30% of the installed cost of a solar energy system. Bonus Depreciation: systems installed during 2011 are eligible for 100% first year bonus depreciation.
Solution: Affordable Housing Solar Incentives A look at California California set aside 10% of the California Solar Initiative s budget specifically to support solar on affordable housing. Solar PV installations on affordable housing in California are eligible for generous solar incentives through the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) and Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH) programs. MASH Solar Incentive Program (2010) PV to offset common area energy use: $3.30/Watt AC PV to offset tenant energy use: $4.00/Watt AC
Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Solar energy systems can be included in the cost basis of low-income housing developments, and therefore may be eligible for LIHTCs in addition to NYSERDA incentives and the solar investment tax credit.
Solar Installation Process 1. Complete energy efficiency measures 2. Determine solar incentive eligibility 3. Assess building s solar energy potential 4. Get quotes from solar installers 5. Compare bids and hire solar installer 6. Install solar
NYC Solar Map Coming June 2011
THANK YOU! Noah Ginsburg NYC Solar Ombudsman Sustainable CUNY NYC Solar America City Initiative noah.ginsburg@mail.cuny.edu 212-346-8571 www.nycsolarcity.com