Rebates

The State Agency Loan Program (SALP) was established in 1991 using funds from the Energy Overcharge Restitution Fund. Through this revolving loan program, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) provides loans to state agencies for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in state facilities. Typical loan amounts range from $50,000 to $250,000. State agencies pay zero interest with a one percent administration fee. Their repayments are made from the agency's fuel and utility budget, based on the avoided energy costs of the project. Repayments replenish the fund so that it can continue to make additional loans each year. During 2011 alone the MEA reports

Arizona provides a sales tax exemption* for the retail sale of solar energy devices and for the installation of solar energy devices by contractors. The statutory definition of "solar energy device" includes wind electric generators and wind-powered water pumps in addition to daylighting, passive solar heating, active solar space heating, solar water heating, and solar photovoltaics. The sales tax exemption does not apply to batteries, controls, etc., that are not part of the system. (Note that H.B. 2429, enacted in June 2006, eliminated the $5,000 limit per device.)

S.B. 1229 of 2012 extended this exemption to net metering transactions

Arizona's Solar Energy Credit is available to individual taxpayers who install a solar or wind energy device at the taxpayer's Arizona residence. The credit is allowed against the taxpayer's personal income tax in the amount of 25% of the cost of a solar or wind energy device, with a $1,000 maximum allowable limit, regardless of the number of energy devices installed. The credit is claimed in the year of installation. If the amount of the credit exceeds a taxpayer’s liability in a certain year, the unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for up to five years. Taxpayers

Collectors, heat exchangers, and storage units of solar energy systems -- and the installation of these systems -- sold or installed in Arizona must have a warranty of at least two years or guarantee the energy production output for two years. The remaining components of the system and their installation must have a warranty of at least one year. Solar energy systems are subject to random inspections by the state's registrar of contractors.

Any person manufacturing, furnishing for installation, or installing a solar energy system must provide a written statement of warranty, responsibilities assumed or disclaimed, and performance data as

Arizona law protects individual homeowners’ private property rights to solar access by dissolving any local covenant, restriction, or condition attached to a property deed that restricts the use of solar energy.

This law sustained a legal challenge in 2000. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of homeowners in a lawsuit filed by their homeowners association seeking to force the homeowners to remove rooftop solar panels. The judge found that the association's "guidelines combined with [its] conduct 'effectively prohibited' the defendants from placing solar heating devices on their residence, contrary to the provisions of A.R.S.-33-439 (A)."

Senate Bill

In Kentucky, solar easements may be obtained for the purpose of ensuring access to direct sunlight. Easements must be expressed in writing and will become an interest in real property that may be acquired and transferred.