April 1, 2002—The Long Island (NY) Power Authority’s Solar Pioneer Program, which provides cash incentives to developers/owners who use solar energy systems in their buildings, is increasing the amount of those incentives. Systems installed and operating by July 31, 2002, will now be rebated at $6 per watt up to a maximum 10-kilowatt system size (maximum rebate $60,000). Systems installed and operating after August 1 will receive a rebate of $4 per watt.
The program and incentives are funded through LIPA’s Clean Energy Initiative—a five-year, $170-million program designed to foster the development of clean energy technologies such as fuel cells, solar, wind generation, and geothermal systems. The initiative offers eleven energy-conservation and load-management programs for residential and commercial customers and provides funds to assist lower income persons and families with energy conservation alternatives and assistance.
One Long Island business that took advantage of the rebates was Scotto Brothers Enterprises for The Inn at Fox Hollow. The Inn’s new geothermal system will realize energy savings of approximately 86 peak kilowatts and a total of 425,000 kilowatts annually. These energy savings will in turn reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 350 tons per year.
For more information about the Solar Pioneer Program, contact LIPA.
