Project Details:Top

Utility Name:	Long Island Power Authority
Utility Type:	Muni
Funding Source(s):	Rate-Based Funding
State:	New York | NY
Region:	East
Utility Program(s):	Distributed Solar Systems,General Education & Outreach,Net Metering,Residential System Incentives ($/kW),Commercial System Incentives (¢/kW)
Technology:	PV

Project Description:Top

The Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) Solar Pioneer Program provides installation rebates of $3.50/kW-dc for PV systems up to 10 kW ($4.50/kW-dc for non-profits) and is offered in all of LIPA's service territory in Long Island, New York.

The program began in 1999 and approximately 1,100 PV systems have been installed through July 11, 2007 (945 residential and 55 commercial buildings). Gross generation capacity is 6,500 kW-dc. LIPA has paid about $26 million in rebates.

Customers choose and hire their own contractor who specifies and acquires all the equipment. They are also responsible to hire installers or electricians for maintenance needs. Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), a renewable energy advocacy group, maintains a list of trained installers for the program. Prior to rebate payment a contractor inspects each installation including the interconnection, PV panels, and possible site shading.

PV systems are net-metered and customers directly receive the generated electricity which reduces their electric bill. Customer agreements have no specified end-date. LIPA owns the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from all systems.
LIPA is responsible for marketing the program through awareness campaigns such as bill-stuffers, by answering customer questions, conducting 12 customer-focused solar seminars per year and holding an annual Solar Conference. Individual installers are responsible to handle all sales.

The program is expected to continue indefinitely, though budgetary and market adjustments may impact the scale and rebate amount. LIPA is considering a modification in the future to increase the system size for eligible PV systems for example.

The Solar Pioneer Program has a very strong customer education component and a very user friendly website.

Project Links:Top

General Project Description: http://www.lipower.org/cei/solar.html

Customer Tools:

• Installer Information - http://www.lishines.org/contractorselector.php
• Solar Calculator- http://www.lishines.org/calculator.php
• Solar Suitability - http://www.lishines.org/index.php
  

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