Funds available to Wyo. residents to install renewable energy systems on homes
Grants of up to $10,000 for installing solar, small wind, and ground source heat energy systems at their homes
by Wyoming Business Council
December 8, 2009
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming State Energy Office (SEO) is using over $2.2 million in federal funding to launch a program that will help homeowners defray the cost of installing renewable energy systems.
The funding is part of the $3.1 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) appropriation to the U.S. Department of Energy to fund state programs that prioritize energy savings, increase the use of renewable energy, and create or retain jobs.
Wyoming homeowners may apply to the SEO for grants of up to $10,000 or 50 percent of project costs, whichever is less, for installing photovoltaic (solar), small wind, and ground source heat energy systems at their homes. Grant awards are based on project size, will be allocated on a first-come basis, and are not retroactive for systems already installed or under contract to be installed.
"This round of federal funding will expand the state’s already successful photovoltaic program, giving residents more than one way to implement a renewable energy system at their home," said Shannon Stanfill, SEO program manager. "Additionally, residents who install one of these systems may apply for a 30 percent tax credit from the federal government, bringing further savings at tax time."
Provisions for each renewable energy system include:
• Ground source heat installations: Grant reimbursements are $2,000 per ton (the measure of the output of a heating or cooling system equaling 12,000 BTU) with a maximum of 5.5 tons in a closed loop vertical or horizontal system. Ground source heat installations must be replacements for other residential heating and cooling systems.
• Small wind generation and photovoltaic (solar panel and components) installations: Residents may apply for grants of up to $2,000 for every installed kilowatt (kW) up to a maximum of 5kW ($10,000). Grant reimbursements are calculated once the award recipient sends documentation of the installed kW amount to the SEO. No name plate installation of 20kW or above will be allowed. Solar panel components without solar panel installations, such as batteries, are eligible for reimbursement of 50 percent or up to $2,000 whichever is less. A maximum of 20kW for installations applies.
Applications are available Dec. 1 and may be downloaded at http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/economic_stimulus.aspx#energy. Applications may be electronically submitted, or mailed to: Wyoming State Energy Office, 214 W. 15th St., Cheyenne, WY, 82002.
Residents may apply for multiple grants, but only one grant application per renewable energy category is allowed. Applicants may not enter into any contracts using or committing these funds until after a grant award is made and a grant agreement is signed by all parties.
For questions regarding the program, please contact the State Energy Office toll-free at 1-888-232-5390.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.wyomingbusiness.org.
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