When the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Solar Pioneer rebate program was offered in October, 2010, it was so popular that all funding was spoken for in only 11 minutes. Due to increased demand that outpaced LIPA’s budget, homeowners and solar installers thought they’d have to wait until at least January for additional funding.

But solar installers and homeowners were happy to hear the amendment and request for stimulus funding filed by LIPA, New York State Governor David A. Paterson, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Council was approved by the Department of Energy and that the Solar Pioneer program would be available in early December.

“The Long Island Power Authority has seen an incredible demand for its solar program—a demand that has, in fact, outstripped dedicated funding resources. With this additional funding, LIPA can continue to fund projects that help to promote a sustainable future for Long Island and New York while providing much-needed stimulus to the state’s economy,” said New York State Governor David A. Paterson in a press release. “Thanks to the leadership of the Obama Administration and New York’s Congressional Delegation, these funds will help boost New York’s economy while strengthening our energy independence.”

Residential solar cash rebates through the LIPA Solar Pioneer program will be at the $1.75-per-watt level, or up to $17,500 for a 10-kilowatt home solar-electricity system. A total of $15 million has been allocated for LIPA, with $8.3 million set aside for new residential grid-connected solar electric installations and $6.7 million for 17 megawatts of grid-connected solar power installed on carports at railroad stations and other Suffolk County buildings.

"We really need energy on Long Island,” said Nancy Hiler, corporate communications and marketing director for Built Well Solar Corp., one of the first solar installation companies on Long Island. “People are chomping at the bit to go solar, and the last rebate amount wasn’t sufficient to meet demand. We’ve been assured the December rebates should be sufficient for the month.”

Long Island is positioned perfectly to benefit from solar power. Receiving the most sunlight in New York State, Long Island has a high demand for electricity and one of the highest electricity rates in the country, at 22 cents per kilowatt hour.

“Long Island is a tremendous drain on the energy grid,” said Hiler. “And we have no local energy source. We need to take advantage of solar power.”

Pictured: A residential solar installation in Long Island, courtesy of Built Well Solar.