Tuesday, February 12th 2013

Unable to make DEP’s Webinar on the Sunshine Program? Here’s a quick summary of the call. For more info visit DEP’s Sunshine Program webpage. 

• $7.5M has been allocated for Solar PV, solar thermal, and battery backup systems through the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program.
  • Approximately $4M will be paid to projects already on the wait list, leaving around $3.5M for projects completed between now and December 31st 2013.
  • Wait-listed projects not completed by June 1st 2013 will lose their spot on the list, but can apply again.
• Rebates cover $.75/watt for residential projects, up to $7,500 or 10kw, or $.75/watt for the first 10kw, and $.50/watt for the last 90 kw for small commerical projects (companies with up to 100 employees) up to $52,500 or 100kw.
  • Projects over 100kw can apply, but per-watt rebates only apply to first 100kw of project size.
• Rebates for solar thermal projects will cover 30% of project costs, up to $5,000 for residential, or $50,000 for small commercial (again, an entity with less than 101 employees).
• Projects become eligible for rebates upon completion of the project. This adds uncertainty on whether or not customer will receive rebate.
• Fund are available until December 31st, or whenever funds are exhausted.
• DEP’s Sunshine Webpage will be updated weekly with the total paid out, which will not reflect what has yet to be processed.
• Prevailing wage rules still apply.

Contact Walt Dinda at DEP with questions at wdinda@pa.gov or (717) 772-8912.