Renewable Energy Now!
How to Eliminate Your Electric Bill

The biggest incentive ever to promote alternative, renewable energy to residential customers was approved on March 1, 2001, by New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities. The electric and gas utilities are promoting programs for compact, clean and renewable sources of energy, such as fuel cells, solar electric systems and wind generators.

All New Jersey customers – residential, commercial and industrial – have opportunities to increase comfort and save energy.

Sky Sims of Ecological Systems, the first company to be approved for the NJ subsiidies for installation, says “This is an exciting time for these proven technologies. The national energy emergencies coupled with state grants gives everyone the opportunity to obtain their own private generating system, free from price increases, shortages and pollution.” He adds that “if enough people take advantage of this, it will avert the use of more dirty technologies.”

Installation of energy efficient equipment, adoption of energy-saving practices and renewable energy generation reduce the need to add conventional power plants while improving overall system reliability.

Clean Energy for New Jersey —You Can Make a Difference

Whether you’re running a home or a business, energy is essential. It powers our modern way of life. Traditionally, natural resources have been used to generate electricity. We are consuming energy at an ever-increasing rate and if we use our resources in a smart, efficient way, we will likely have plenty to enjoy in the future. Renewable and clean energy generation systems allow you to generate your own electricity, and can help you make a difference in conserving energy, preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. You can become more self-reliant, save on costs, and help make the world a cleaner, healthier place to live.

What is the Clean Energy Program?

The Clean Energy Program will provide financial incentives to homeowners and small businesses to install a qualified clean energy generation system where they live or work. These systems will enable you to produce your own electricity while, at the same time, helping to protect the environment and helping to reduce the strain on the electric transmission and distribution systems (the grid). The program supports technologies such as fuel cells, photovoltaic (solar electricity), small wind turbines and sustainable biomass equipment. The program will provide you with information that will help you become more energy-efficient. You’ll learn about technology basics, what costs to expect, the benefits you’ll enjoy, and how to be an informed shopper.

Program Features & Benefits

Do you want to help reduce pollution or reduce dependence on fossil fuels supplies? Are you interested in installing a clean energy system to help protect the environment, or to help preserve natural resources, and make a long-lasting commitment to the planet’s future? You may want to install a clean energy system to increase your independence by producing your own electricity while knowing that the electric grid will still be there when you need it. Whatever your motivation is, this program will provide you with extensive support and educational materials, both online and in print.

To get started, the Federal Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EREN) offers you helpful information by visiting www.eren.doe.gov and click on the Solar and Hydrogen links.

Incentives — It Pays to Get With the Program

Participating utilities will pay you up to 60% to reduce the initial cost of your system, including installation and interconnection costs. Incentives will be a fixed amount that will decrease over time as the total number of clean energy systems installed under this program increases. The levels of incentives are:

System Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Incentive
Small Systems (<10kW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00/Watt
Medium Systems (>10-100kW) . . . . . . . $4.00/Watt
Larger Systems (>100 kW) . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00/Watt

Maximum incentive as a percentage of eligible system costs: 70%

Additional Federal Tax Credit for Businesses: 10%

Program Eligibility

To participate in the program, you will install either fuel cells, photovoltaic, small wind, or sustainable biomass technologies. Systems will be sized to meet your individual electricity needs (your local load or demand). You can receive financial incentives through the grid-supply or market development programs. The Clean Energy Program’s financial incentives are applicable only for: new components systems installed in New Jersey, systems that include at least a 5-year all-inclusive warranty, with the exception of fuel cell stacks Systems must be installed as per specifications.

Guidelines for Participation Include:

1. Homeowners and retailers must submit a completed Clean Energy Systems Pre-Installation Rebate Application and appropriate Technical Worksheet and receive a commitment letter approving the rebate from their utility prior to equipment installation.

2. The Pre-Installation Application must include information demonstrating that the proposed system will meet all applicable technical and certification requirements.

3. Systems must be installed within 6 months of the Pre-Installation Application approval date for small (less than or equal to 10kW) systems and within 12 months for medium (greater than 10kW) systems.

4. Applicants must permit inspection of eligible systems. Program administrators will inspect installations prior to issuing the rebate incentive.

5. Rebate dollars will be reserved based upon the date of the approved Pre-Installation Application.

6. Applicants must pay for all interconnection costs required by their electric utility (other than the portion covered by the rebate). NY Governor, PSC

Increase Support for Wind Energy

In January of this year, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) increased funding for wind, solar and biomass energy sources and for energy conservation.

The Commission will provide $47.5 million over five years for development of large-scale wind farms and encourage the use of small wind turbines on farms and rural homesteads. Over the next five years the funding is expected to result in construction of over 200 megawatts of wind turbine generating capacity in New York State, enough to meet the annual energy needs of 84,000 homes.