PennsylvaniaSunshine

GuidelinesfortheResidentialand
SmallBusinessSolarProgram

7000BKDEP4245Rev.11/2009
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I. Introduction
ThePennsylvaniaSunshineSolarProgramwillprovide$100millioninrebatestohelpfundsolar
electric(solarphotovoltaic)andsolarhotwater(solarthermal)projectsforhomeownersand
smallbusinessesinPennsylvania.Thisprogramisauthorizedbysection306oftheAlternative
EnergyInvestmentAct,ActofJuly9,2008Spec.Sess.,No.1,(P.L.__,No.1)(73P.S.1649.101et
seq.)
II. GeneralProvisions
Fundingwillbedeployedintheformofrebatesforresidentialandsmallbusinessprojects.
Rebateswillbeawardedonafirstcomefirstservedbasistoapprovedapplicants.Households
mayreceiveonesolarphotovoltaic(PV)rebateforupto10kilowatts(kW)ofinstalledPV
generatingcapacityplusonesolarthermalrebatewhichiscappedat$2,000.Asmallbusiness
mayonlysubmitonePVandonesolarthermalapplicationatatimeandmustcompletethe
projectandrebateprocesspriortosubmittinganotherapplication.Forpurposesofthis
program,allsmallbusinessesundercommonownershipshallbeconsideredasinglesmall
businessapplicant.
Allrebateapplicationswillrequireanonrefundableapplicationfee.Residentialapplicantswill
submitafeeof$100.Smallbusinessapplicantswillsubmitafeeof$150.Residentialapplicants
thathaveahouseholdincomeoflessthan60percentofthestatemedianincome,asdefinedby
PennsylvaniasDepartmentofPublicWelfare,willbeeligibleforanapplicationfeewaiver.
(Clickhereforalistingofincomeguidelines.)Inadditiontotheapplicationfee,allapplicants
mustprovideproofofaminimum$250depositwithanapprovedsolarinstaller.Theapplicant
mustalsoprovideaprojectcompletiondatewithin12monthsoftherebatereservation
approval.
Rebatefundingwillnotreimburseforthecostsassociatedwithanyroofrepairsor
batterybackupsystems.ThisprogramisnotintendedtodiscouragePVsystemswithbattery
backup,buttheadditionalcostofthebatterieswillnotbeconsideredareimbursablecost.
Thisprogramwillnotberetroactive.Toensurethatallinstalledsystemscomplywiththe
eligibilityrequirementsofthisprogram,applicantsmaynotreceivereimbursementsforsystems
installedbeforetheopeningoftherebateprogram.Onceprogramguidelineshavebeen
published,andtheprogrambeginsacceptingapplications,applicantsmaybeginincurringcosts.
However,allcostsincurredpriortoreceivingconfirmationofareservationareincurred
attheapplicantsrisk.
Pleasenotethatrebatesandrebateapplicationsarepublicdocumentsandsubjecttodisclosure
tothepublicuponrequest.
III. Eligibility
A. EligibleApplicants
Thefollowingapplicantsareeligibleforrebates:
ResidentialApplicants:ResidentialapplicantsmustbePennsylvaniaresidents.
Theapplicantmustbetheownerofthehomewheretheprojectwillbeinstalled.
Allresidentialprojectsmustbecompletedonthehomeownersprimaryresidence.
Vacationhomesandinvestmentpropertieswillnotqualifyforfundingasa
residentialproject.
SmallBusinessApplicants:Smallbusinessapplicantsmustbeaforprofit
businesslocatedwithinPennsylvania.Toqualifyforsmallbusinessfunding,the
applicantmustbeaseparatelegalentitywithnomorethan100fulltime
employees.Thetermincludesanagriculturalproducerofafarmcommodity.
Applicantsmustnothaveanyoutstandingobligationstothecommonwealth,
includingbutnotlimitedtooutstandingtaxes.
B. EligibleProjects
1. s PV ystemsmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:
a. TherebateprogramwillcoverresidentialPVsystemsratednolessthan
1kWandupto10kW.Largerresidentialsystemsmayparticipatebut
willonlyreceiverebatesequivalenttothecostsofthefirst10kW.
b. TherebateprogramwillcoversmallbusinessPVsystemsratednoless
that3kWandupto200kW.Largersmallbusinesssystemsmay
participate,butwillonlyreceiverebatesequivalenttothecostsofthe
first200kW.
c. PVcomponentsmustbenewequipment(withtheexceptionoftheutility
grademeterdescribedfurtherbelow)andmustbeontheCaliforniaSolar
Initiativeslistofeligibleequipment.Thedesignandinstallationmustbe
incompliancewiththePennsylvaniaUniformConstructionCode(for
moreinformation,see:
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=310&q=210892).

elow.
d. ThesysteminstallermustbeontheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection's(DEP)listofapprovedinstallersasfurtherdescribedb
e. Solarshadeanalysismustbecompletedandasystemperformance
calculationmustshowthatthesystemwillproducenolessthan
mentand 80percentoftheannualoutputofasystemwithoptimalplace
orientation.
f. AnynewconstructionhomethatisincludingPVaspartof,or
simultaneouslywith,theinitialconstructionprocessmustbeEnergyStar
qualified.
2. la So rthermalsystemsmustmeetthefollowingrequirements:
a. Theprogramwillcoverresidentialandsmallbusinesssolarthermal
hot systemsexcludingthosethatareusedforheatingswimmingpoolsor
tubs.
b. Eligibleresidentialsolarhotwaterprojectsmayreceiveamaximum
rebateof$2,000.
c. Eligiblesmallbusinesssolarhotwaterprojectsmayreceiveamaximum
rebateof$20,000.
d. Solarthermalsystemsmustbenewequipment,andsolarcollectorsmust
beSRCCOG100ratedorequivalent.Thedesignandinstallationmustbe
incompliancewiththePennsylvaniaUniformConstructionCode(for
moreinformation,see:
http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/cwp/view.asp?a=310&q=210892).
s e. ThesysteminstallermustbeontheDEPlistofapprovedinstallersa
furtherdescribedbelow.
f. Solarshadeanalysismustbecompletedandasystemperformance
calculationmustshowthatthesystemwillproducenolessthan
2
80percentoftheannualoutputofasystemwithoptimalplacementand
orientation.
g. Anynewconstructionhomethatisincludingsolarthermalaspartof,or
simultaneouslywith,theinitialconstructionprocessmustbeEnergyStar
qualified.
Allprojectsmustbeincompliancewithallapplicablelaws.
Constructionprojectsreceivingstaterebatesandhavingacostinexcessof$25,000maybe
subjecttoPennsylvaniasPrevailingWageActrequirements.Forinformationaboutthe
applicabilityofPrevailingWage,applicantsshouldcontactthePennsylvaniaDepartmentof
LaborandIndustryat(717)7057256or(800)9320665orvisittheWebsiteat
www.dli.state.pa.us.ItissolelytheresponsibilityofarebaterecipienttoensuretheActis
followedifapplicable.
IV. InstallerRequirements
Applica smu rsor
anyoneworki
nt stuseaninstallerwhoisonDEPsapprovedlist.Allparticipatingcontracto
ngundertheirdirectionorcontrolmust:
1. Beingoodstandingasevidencedbyfavorablereportsfromthreecustomer
referencesandnonegativereportfromtheBetterBusinessBureau.
2. Maintaininfullforceatalltimes,CommercialGeneralLiabilityInsurancewitha
astone bodilyinjuryandpropertydamagecombinedsinglelimitofliabilityofatle
milliondollars($1,000,000)foranyoccurrence.
CarryWorkersCompensationInsuranceforallemployeesofthecompany. 3.
4. Note:ContractorswillberequiredtocomplywiththerequirementsoftheHome
ImprovementConsumerProtectionAct,Act132of2008,a theybecomeeffective. s
5. Note:Installersinterestedinparticipatingintheprogrammayobtainanapplication
atwww.depweb.state.pa.us,selectEnergyIndependence.
A. PVInstallerRequirements:
Tobeapprov oyeeon
staff.Aqualif dem ts:
ed,asolarPVinstallationcompanymustemployatleastonequalifiedempl
ie ployeeisonewhomeetsorexceedsoneofthefollowingrequiremen
1. IsacertifiedNorthAmericanBoardofCertifiedEnergyPractitioners
(NABCEP)PVinstaller,or
2. ssu i of
grams
Ha ccessfully nstalledaminimum threePVsystemsandhascompleted
oneofthefollowingthreetrainingpro :
ccredited a. Interstate Renewable Energy Council ISPQ (IREC) a PV
trainingprogram,or
ng program that included the
edPhotovoltaicSystems,or
b. an IBEW/NECA apprenticeship traini
courseentitledInstallingGridConnect
c. aPVmanufacturerstrainingprogram.
3. If an installer has completed either an IREC ISPQ accredited PV training
program or an IBEW/NECA apprenticeship training program that included
thecourseentitledInstallingGridConnectedPhotovoltaicSystemsandmet
all other program requirements but not yet installed three PV systems, they
maybeacceptedonaprobationarybasis.
B. SolarThermalInstallerRequirements:
Tobeapproved,asolarthermalinstallationcompanymustemployatleastonequalified
employeeon ee soneofthefollowing
requirements
staff.Aqualifiedemployeeisonewhomeetsorexc d
:
1. IsacertifiedNABCEPsolarthermalinstaller,or
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2. HascompletedanInterstateRenewableEnergyCouncil(IREC)Institutefor
SustainablePowerQuality(ISPQ)accreditedsolarthermaltrainingprogram
orasolarcollectormanufacturerstrainingprogramandhassignificant
experienceincludingaminimumofthreesolarthermalinstallations.
a. IfaninstallerhascompletedanIRECISPQaccreditedsolarthermal
trainingprogramandmetallotherprogramrequirementsbutnotyet
installedthreesolarhotwatersystems,theymaybeacceptedona
probationarybasis.
V. ApplicationProcedure
Theapplicationprocedureisatwostepprocess.First,theinstallerwillsubmitaPreApproval
Applicationtocreateareservationonbehalfofthehomeownerorsmallbusiness.ThePre
ApprovalApplicationwillhelptodetermineiftheapplicantiseligibleforfunding.The
appropriatenonrefundableapplicationfeemustbesubmittedwiththePreApproval
Application.Applicationsareavailableatwww.padep.powerclerk.com/.
Ifthereservationisapproved,thehomeownerorsmallbusinesswillhave12monthsfromthe
dateofthereservationapprovaltocompletetheinstallation.Oncetheworkiscompleted,the
applicantmayapplyforreimbursement,underthesecondstepoftheprocess.Reimbursements
willbemadeaftertheinstallationiscomplete.One30dayextensionmayberequested,after
whichthefundswouldbereleasedforotherapplicants.Torequestanextension,theapplicant
mustsubmitaprojectstatusupdateandareasonforthedelayinwriting14businessdaysprior
totheexpirationoftheoriginalreservation.Iftheprojectexceedsthesetimelimits,the
applicantmayreapplytotheprogrambystartingthereservationprocessover.
ent Projectdetailsmaynotbealteredafterareservationhasbeenapprovedunlessthedepartm
hasprovidedawrittenapprovalforthealteration.
Uponprojectcompletion,theinstallerwillberequiredtoprovidethehomeownerorsmall
businessown thefollowingminimuminstallationandoperating
documentatio
eranOwnersManualincluding
n:
1. Nameandaddressoftheseller
2. Systemmodelnameornumber
ofsystemcomponents 3. Identificationandexplanation
4. Singlelinedrawingofsystem
5. Descriptionofsystemoperation
6. Descriptionofsystemmaintenance
7. Descriptionofemergencyprocedures
hebuildingprocedures 8. Vacationorextendedtimeawayfromt
9. Contractorspartsandlaborwarranty
ntiesforallmajorsystemcomponents 10. Copiesofmanufacturerswarra
11. Manufacturersusersmanuals
A. PVApplicationProcedures:
TheinstallerwillsubmitaPre
technicaldocu ent
InstallationApplicationFormandthefollowingsupporting
m s:
ctedforthe 1. Copyofthemanufacturersspecificationforthecomponentssele
installation.
2. Copyofprojectcostestimate,purchaseorder,orletterofintent.
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3. CopyofSolarPathfinder,Solmetric,orWileyAssetanalysisandcalculations
ptimalPVproductionisexpected showingthataminimumof80percentofo
fromthesystem.
4. Copyofsystemschematicorlinedrawing.
int 5. CopyofplotplanillustratingthelocationofthePVarray,inverterandpo
ofinterconnectionontheproperty.
6. llustratingthefollowing: Forrooftopinstallations,copyofroofdiagrami
a. Roofdimensions(angle,lengthandwidth).
therlocation. b. LocationofPVmodulesonrooforo
c. OrientationandtiltofPVmodules.
Afterth proj
Applicationa
e ectiscompleted,theinstallermustsubmitaPostInstallationReimbursement
ndalsoprovideproofthatthePVsystemmeetsthefollowingrequirements:
ecified 1. Systemswereinstalledaccordingtoindustryandcodestandardsandassp
intheequipmentmanufacturersmanual.
2. Anyapplicablelocalgovernmentpermitsandzoningapprovalshavebeen
obtained.
ode 3. TheinstalledsystemcomplieswiththePennsylvaniaUniformConstructionC
andalllocallawsandcodes.
ThePostInst
materials:
allationReimbursementApplicationwillrequirethefollowingsupplemental
1. andcontractorslaborwarranties.Equipmentmustcarry

CopiesofManufacturers
thefollowingwarranties:
) a. Inverters(5years
b. Panels(20years)
c. Systemseligibleforarebatemustbecoveredbyafullfiveyearwarrantyfor
PVsystemsinadditiontoanymanufacturerswarrantiesonspecific
components.Coveragemustincludeallpartsandlabor,plusthecostof
removing,shippingandreinstallingorreplacingadefectivecomponent.A
warrantystatement,includedinthecontract,willclearlystatewhois
responsibleforlabor,materialandshipmentofdefectiveparts.
2. PVinterconnectionandnetmeteringpaperworkmustbecompletedandapproved
byutility.Anapplicant,whoseentirehomeorsmallbusinessisindependentofthe
hedepartmentwill grid,mayrequestanexceptionfromthisrequirementwhicht
evaluateonacasebycasebasis.
3. ProjectCompletionFormsignedbyapplicantandcontractor.
bingorbuildingpermitinspectionapprovals,where 4. Copiesofallelectrical,plum
applicable.
5. Copyoffinalsalesinvoice.
B. SolarThermalApplicationProcedures:
TheinstallerwillsubmitaPre
technicaldocu ent
InstallationApplicationFormincludingthefollowingsupporting
m s:
rting 1. CompletedPreInstallationApplicationFormandtheappropriatesuppo
technicaldocuments.
2. CopyofthemanufacturersspecificationfortheSRCCOG100Certified
collectorselectedfortheinstallation.
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3. Copyofprojectcostestimate,purchaseorder,orletterofintent.
4. CopyofSolarPathfinder,Solmetric,orWileyAssetanalysisandcalculations
ptimalsolarhotwaterproduction showingthataminimumof80percentofo
isexpectedfromthesystem.
5. Copyofsystemschematicorlinedrawing.
6. Copyofplotplanillustratingcollectorlocationonproperty.
7. stratingthefollowing: Forrooftopinstallations,copyofroofdiagramillu
a. Roofdimensions(angle,lengthandwidth).
onrooforotherlocation. b. Locationofcollectorsormodules
c. Orientationandtiltofcollectors.
Aftertheprojectiscompleted,theinstallermustsubmitaPostInstallationReimbursement
Applicationa
require ents
ndalsoprovideproofthatthesolarthermalsystemmeetsthefollowing
m :
1. Systemsmustbeinstalledaccordingtoindustryandcodestandardsandas
specifiedintheequipmentmanufacturersmanual.
2. Anyapplicablelocalgovernmentpermitsandzoningapprovalsmusthavebeen
obtained.
ode 3. InstalledsystemsmustcomplywiththePennsylvaniaUniformConstructionC
andalllocallawsandcodes.
ThePostInst
materials:
allationReimbursementApplicationwillrequirethefollowingsupplemental
1. actorslaborwarranties.Equipmentmustcarry
describedbelow:
Copiesofmanufacturersandcontr
appropriatewarrantiesasfurther
a. Solarcollector(s)(10years)
b. Systemseligibleforarebatemustbecoveredbyafullthreeyearwarranty
forsolarwaterheatingsystemsinadditiontoanymanufacturerswarranties
onspecificcomponents.Coveragemustincludeallpartsandlabor,plusthe
costofremoving,shippingandreinstallingorreplacingadefective
act,willclearlystate
efectiveparts.
component.Awarrantystatement,includedinthecontr
whoisresponsibleforlabor,materialandshipmentofd
2. ProjectCompletionFormsignedbyapplicantandcontractor.
ildingpermitinspectionapprovals,where 3. Copiesofallelectrical,plumbingorbu
applicable.
onsheets. 4. Copyofproductspecificati
5. Copyoffinalsalesinvoice.
VI. FundingAmounts
Forallsolarphotovoltaic(PV)projectsandsolarthermalprojects,theprogramwillofferrebates
uptoamaximumof35percentofthecostsofprojectdesign,installationandequipment.
Residentialapplicantsthathaveahouseholdincomeoflessthan60percentofthestatemedian
income,asdefinedbyPennsylvaniasDepartmentofPublicWelfare,willbeeligibleforthe
maximumrebatelevelpermittedundertheAct(35percent).Lowincomeapplicantsmust
verifythattheirincomeis60percentofthestatemedianincome.Thegrossincomelimits,
basedonhouseholdsizefortaxreportingpurposes,canbefoundat
www.depweb.state.pa.us/pasunshine.Applicantswhoapplyforlowincomesolarassistance
willberequiredtoreportandverifyallearnedandunearnedincometodetermineeligibility.
Sourcesofincomeverificationincludebutarenotlimitedto:taxreturns(FederalorState);
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employersstatementofpastoranticipatedearnings;statementsdocumentingincome.
Verificationdocumentsmustbeincludedwhensubmittingthesolarapplicationpackage.
d Allotherapplicantswillqualifyforfundingattherebatelevelsprovidedbelow,nottoexcee
35percentoftheprojectcosts.
Fundinglevelswillautomaticallydeclineaccordingtothefollowingpredeterminedsteps:
ResidentialPVRebates
Step#
Megawatt(MW
inStep
) RebateAmoun
($/Watt)
t
1 10 2.25
2 10 1.75
3 10 1.25
4 10 0.75
SmallBusinessPVRebates
Step#
Megawatt
inStep

310kW
Rebate
Amoun
($/Watt
t
)
10100kW
RebateAmou
($/Watt)
nt
100200kW
RebateAmou
($/Watt)
nt
1 5 2.25 2.00 1.75
2 5 1.75 1.50 1.25
3 5 1.25 1.00 0.75
4 5 0.75 0.50 0.25
ResidentialandSmallBusinessSolarThermalRebates
Step#
Numbero
SystemsinS
f
tep
Reba
Amou
te
nt
1 1,500 25%
2 1,500 20%
3 1,500 15%
4 1,500 10%
Arunningtallyofcompletedprojectswillbekeptontherebateprogramswebpageso
perspectiveapplicantsandsolardeveloperswillbeabletoprojectwhenthefirststepof
installedsolarwillbereachedandadecreaseintheperwattmatchingrebatefundswilloccur.
VII. InspectionsandReporting
Allapplicantsmustallowinspectionoftheprojectatthedepartmentsrequest.
Thefirstthreeinstallationscompletedunderthisprogrambyaqualifiedinstallerwillundergo
aninspection.Inaddition,thedepartmentwillperformrandominspectionsofatleast
) 10percentofinstallationsandwillrequirecertifiedinstallersverification(viatherebateform
thattheinstallationiscompleteandcorrectlyoperating.
AllPVinstallationsmust,ataminimum,includeautilitygradekWhmeter.Thesemetersmay
beneworrefurbished.Refurbishedmetersareavailableforpurchaseat
http://www.hialeahmeter.com/index.html.Annualreadingsofthismetermustbereportedto
theDepartmentforaminimumofthreeyearsfollowingcompletionoftheproject.Thesolar
installerwillberesponsibleforensuringthattheDepartmentreceivesthesereadings.Missed
aller readingsmaybecauseforremovalofasolarinstallerfromtheDepartmentsqualifiedinst
list.
SolarthermalinstallationperformancedatawillbeestimatedusingtheRetscreenmodel.
SysteminstallerswillberequiredtoprovidethedepartmentwithaRetscreenestimateforeach
installation.