How long does it take for a thriving solar industry to find uses for $4 million? About three hours, it turns out. On Friday, one of two solar rebate programs in Massachusetts opened to applications at 9:00am and closed before noon, all of its quarterly-allocated funds having been spoken for. The Commonwealth Solar Stimulus Program [...]

The Massachusetts Solar Stimulus Rebate Program opened to new applicants at 9am–and closed before noon.

The California Solar Initiative manages solar incentives for the state’s three investor-owned utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). PG&E and SDG&E just met their last CSI goals for residential solar capacity and have scaled their rebates back accordingly, from the previous $1.10/w to the [...]

Once again, New Jersey’s solar boat has been rocked: due to revisions to a previously approved budget, the state’s Clean Energy Rebate will not accept new applications for the month of April, and all applications currently in queue will be frozen until the program reopens in May. If the solar rebate is reduced from current [...]

Everyone knows the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” Well, when it comes to solar PV installations, the relevant phrase is, “If you subsidize it, they will build it.” Just look to the case of Pennsylvania. PA Governor Edward Rendell announced yesterday that the state’s Sunshine Solar Rebate Program has helped to double [...]

Good news from the Lone Star State. Oncor Electric Delivery Company has announced plans to provide cash rebates for Texas residents and businesses who install solar PV systems. Dubbed the “Take a Load Off, TexasSM Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program,” the initiative will disperse $16 million over four years. As reported by the Dallas Business Journal, [...]

In recent weeks, a number of state governments have announced plans to cut back the per-watt rebate offered to residents who purchase a solar energy system. In October, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) announced a downward revision ranging between $1.00 and $1.80 per watt, depending on system size. Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest investor-owned utility [...]