State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:

Public Utilities Commission Programs

Manchester Community College, April 7th, 2011Kate Epsen

Public Utilities CommissionKate.epsen@puc.nh.gov

(603) 271-6018

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Renewable Energy Fund (REF)

• REF was created as a component of the RPS law, HB 873, enacted in 2007 (RSA 362-F:10)

• Purpose is to support thermal and electrical renewable energy initiatives

• RPS law establishes renewable energy portfolio requirements for electric service providers

• Requirements ramp up to 24% by 2025

• Compliance: Renewable Energy Credits (4 Classes) or Alternative Compliance Payments (ACPs)

• ACP’s are sole source of revenue for REF

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REF Revenues

• Received annually, July 1, with RPS compliance report from electric providers

• Fund revenues in 2008 = $4.48 million• Fund revenues in 2009 = $1.34 million• Fund revenues in 2010 = ???

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Residential PV/Wind Program

Rebate Program for residential generating installations under 5 kW

• REF program launched July 2009

• In Sept. 2010 rebate reduced to $1.25/Watt up to $4,500

• Program suspended: now has waiting list

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Residential Solar Hot Water

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• Program established April 21, 2010

Residential Solar Hot Water (cont.)

• 2 rebates offered:• State-funded rebate of $600 - $900, plus• ARRA-funded rebate of $2,000

• Program Budget: $ 1 million• 164 applications requesting total of

$374,000• Funds disbursed: $254,000• Unspent federal $$ may be revoked

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Residential wood pellet heating system rebate program

• Funded solely with ARRA funds from OEP- $500,000

• Program launched in July• Rebates of up to $6,000• Applications received: 12• Pending changes to program

– Outdoor boilers

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Commercial and Industrial PV/SHW rebate program

• Program began November 2010• Program funding: $1 million• Rebates for PV at $1 per watt up to

maximum of $50,000• Rebates for SHW at $.07 per kBtu/year up

to maximum of $50,000• 25 applications requesting $300,000 to date

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C&I RFP

• $1 million available to all renewable energy projects in the C&I sectors

• Proposals due May 3

• RFP found here: http://www.puc.nh.gov/Sustainable%20Energy/RFPs.htm

• Submit questions to rfp@puc.nh.gov

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Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)• 1 REC = 1 MWh of eligible renewable energy

generation. • RECs are created through the NEPOOL GIS • REC prices fluctuate (by resource class, time)

• 3 ways to generate a REC:– NEPOOL market settlement (asset ID)– Adjacent out of state delivery into control area– 3rd party independent verification (behind the

meter systems)

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What else?

• Net metering– Expansion of net-metering to systems up to 1 MW

• RGGI funds for energy efficiency – Programs include www.NHp4p.com, Retail Merchants

Assoc., NH Community Loan Fund, BFA, NHHFA: http://www.puc.nh.gov/Sustainable%20Energy/GHGERF/2010%20Grant%20Awards.html

• CORE funding for energy efficiency

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Thank You

Kate EpsenPublic Utilities Commission

Kate.epsen@puc.nh.gov (603) 271-6018

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