Rebates

Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund

Rhode Island's Public Utilities Restructuring Act of 1996 created the nation's first public benefits fund (PBF) for renewable energy and demand-side management (DSM). The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund's (RIREF) renewable-energy component is administered by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI) formerly known as the Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), and the fund's demand-side management (DSM) programs are administered by the state's electric and gas distribution companies, subject to review by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Funding and Budget

CommerceRI’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF) is supported by a surcharge on electric and gas

Montana established the Universal System Benefits Program (USBP) in 1997 as part of its restructuring legislation. The USBP supports cost-effective energy conservation, low-income customer weatherization, renewable-energy projects and applications, research and development programs related to energy conservation and renewables, market transformation designed to encourage competitive markets for public purpose programs, and low-income energy assistance.

Beginning January 1, 1999, all electric utilities -- including electric cooperatives -- were required to contribute revenue generated from a surcharge on customers' electricity use. In 1997, the surcharge was set through electricity restructuring legislation and was based on 2.4% of electric utilities' 1995 revenues. This

Maine's original Renewable Resource Portfolio Requirement was passed as part of the state's 1997 electric utility restructuring law. In 1999, Maine's Public Utility Commission (PUC) adopted rules requiring each electricity provider to supply at least 30% of their total electric sales using electricity generated from eligible renewable and certain energy efficiency resources. At the time of passage, the required percentage of renewable energy was actually lower than the existing percentage supplied. In 2019 Governor Mills signed legislation (L.D. 1494) that increased Maine’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 80% by 2030 and set a goal of 100% by 2050

The City of Boulder enacted an ordinance in 1982 to guarantee access to sunlight for homeowners and renters.

Solar Access

Solar access is guaranteed setting limits on the amount of permitted shading by new construction. The degree of solar access protection is defined by either a 12 foot or 25 foot hypothetical "solar fence" on the property lines of the protected buildings. The ordinance is designed to protect access for a 4-hour period on December 21st. Under most circumstances, new structures will not be allowed to shade adjacent lots to a greater extent than the applicable solar fence.

There are

Utah's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requires installers of solar energy systems to be licensed contractors. General electrical contractors carrying an S200 or an S201 license are authorized to install solar photovoltaic systems. The Division has also established solar-specific license classifications. License classification S202 is for Solar Photovoltaic Contractors, and S215 is for Solar Thermal Systems Contractors. A Solar Photovoltaic Contractor is licensed for the fabrication, construction, installation, and replacement of photovoltaic cell panels and related components including battery storage systems, distribution panels, switch gear, electrical wires, inverters, and other electrical apparatus for solar photovoltaic systems. A Solar Thermal

Electric Program Investment Charge Program 

California's 1996 electric industry restructuring legislation (AB 1890) directed the state’s three major investor-owned utilities (Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and San Diego Gas & Electric) to collect a "public goods charge" (PGC) on ratepayer electricity use from 1998 through 2001 to create public benefits funds for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and research, development & demonstration (RD&D). 

California's public benefits fund, the Electric Program Investment Charge Program (EPIC), was established in 2011 to help meet the state's climate goals by decarbonizing the electricity sector. The program invests more than $130

Nevada law requires that solar energy system installers be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Contractors may be licensed under License Classification C-37 (solar contracting for solar water heating and space heating and air conditioning). Contractors may also perform solar work under License Classification C-1* (plumbing and heating), sub-classification (d) for solar water heating installations, or sub-classification (f) for solar air heating. Contractors may also perform solar work under License C-2 (electrical contracting), sub-classification (g) for photovoltaics used to generate electricity; or C-21 (Refrigeration and air-conditioning), sub-classification (e) for solar air conditioning. Work on utility scale solar projects must

Note: H.B. 576 of 2021 repealed this RPS. The information below is presented for informational purposes only. 

Montana’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), enacted in April 2005 as part of the Montana Renewable Power Production and Rural Economic Development Act, requires public utilities and competitive electricity suppliers serving 50 or more customers to obtain a percentage of their retail electricity sales from eligible renewable resources according to the following schedule:

• 5% for compliance years 2008-2009 (1/1/2008 - 12/31/2009)
• 10% for compliance years 2010-2014 (1/1/2010 - 12/31/2014)
• 15% for compliance year 2015 (1/1/2015 - 12/31/2015) and for each year thereafter

Public utilities

The California Contractors State License Board administers contractor licenses. The C-46 Solar Contractor license covers active solar water and space heating systems, solar pool heating systems, and photovoltaic systems. C-46 requirements include four years of experience and passing the business and law exam and the trade exam. Independent license schools offer courses to prepare for license exams.

Other contractor licenses for solar include:

• A. General Engineering
• B. General Building
• C-4. Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting (for solar thermal systems)
• C-10. Electrical (for photovoltaics only)
• C-20. Warm-Air, HVAC (HVAC systems that utilize solar energy)
• C-36. Plumbing (solar thermal systems)

Nevada established a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) as part of its 1997 restructuring legislation. Under the standard, NV Energy (formerly Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power) must use eligible renewable energy resources to supply a minimum percentage of the total electricity it sells. In 2001, the state increased the minimum requirement by 2% every two years, culminating in a 15% requirement by 2013. The portfolio requirement has been subsequently revised, most significantly by SB 358 (2019), which increased the requirement to 50% by 2030. In addition to solar, qualifying renewable energy resources include biomass, geothermal energy, wind, certain hydropower, energy