Florida's Energy Act —
Applications for Solar Incentives Are Now Available

The Department of Environmental Protection has announced the availability of applications for rebates and tax credits for purchase and installation of new solar equipment. For homeowners who have watched their rising electricity bills in recent months, this is good news.

Floridians who have been considering installation of a solar water heating system can now receive a rebate of up to $500 after purchase and installation of the system on a residence ($100 for pool heating system).

Rebates on water heating systems on commercial properties will be calculated at $15 per 1000 Btu per day with a maximum $5000 rebate.

Also available are rebates for purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems for solar-generated electricity (Calculated at $4.00 per rated Watt). Rebates will be allowed at a maximum of $20,000 for residential installations, while systems on commercial property may qualify for up to $100,000 rebate.

Application for a rebate must be made within 90 days after the purchase of the solar energy equipment.

Application forms for incentives:

Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program Rebate Application
DEP Form 62-16.900(3). pdf | doc
FAQ - Solar [pdf]

Rebate Applicants: Florida law (F.S. 377.705) requires that all solar energy systems sold in Florida be certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center. Ask your contractor if the system you are buying has a Florida Solar Energy Center certification.

Click here for approved solar hot water and pool heating systems.
Click here for approved photovoltaic systems.

The following applications may be used by qualifying Florida businesses for tax credits:

Renewable Energy Technologies Investment Tax Credit Program Application,
DEP Form 62-16.900(4). pdf | doc
Renewable Energy Technologies Sales Tax Program Application,
DEP Form 62-16.900(5). pdf | doc

Also available are application forms for grants to businesses and academic institutions conducting research and development in Renewable Energy Technologies:

Renewable Energy Technologies Grant Program Application,
DEP Form 62-16.900(1). pdf | doc
Renewable Energy Technologies Grant Program Application for Bioenergy,
DEP Form 62-16.900(2). pdf | doc

In order to ensure orderly and consistent implementation of new laws, the Florida Legislature has provided for state agencies to establish rules for implementation. The Legislature designated the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Revenue) to develop the rules for the implementation of Florida’s Energy Act.

The rule development for implementation of the Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act (Florida’s Energy Act), passed during the 2006 Legislative Session, will create the new rule Chapter 62-16, Florida Administrative Code, relating to Florida’s Energy Act, Sections 377.801-377.806, Florida Statutes.

The proposed rule will provide for application requirements, provide for ranking of applications and administer the awarding of grants under the Renewable Energy Technologies Grants Program. The proposed rule will also develop rebate applications and administer the issuance of rebates for the Solar Energy Systems Incentives Program. Additionally, it will implement the provisions of the corporate tax incentives provided for renewable energy technologies pursuant to Section 220.192, F.S.

Draft of Proposed Rule 62-16:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/files/DRAFT-PROPOSED-RULE-62-16_02.09.07.pdf

Contact:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Energy Office
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 19
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
(850) 245-8002

Additional Information:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/default.htm

Florida's Energy Act — Applications for Solar Incentives Are Now Available

Florida's Energy Act —
Applications for Solar Incentives Are Now Available