USA - Small wind rebate programs: As Nevada’s gathers momentum, Illinois’s kicks off

Twenty installations totaling 58.4 kW have been completed and another 110 applications are pending under NV Energy’s WindGenerations small wind rebate program, the Nevada electric utility said.

NV Energy began offering its WindGenerations program to most of its 1.2 million Nevada customers in August 2008. Rebates for residential customers and small businesses, including agricultural power users, are $2.50 per watt for turbines up to 10 kW and $1.50 per watt for installations over 10 kW. Incentives for schools and public buildings are $3 per watt up to 10 kW and $2 per watt over 10 kW. Thus far, $147,300 in incentives has been paid.

Among the program participants is Jared Fisher, who installed a 5-kW wind turbine at his home in Las Vegas. “[The program] helped us financially by providing a sizeable contribution to our project costs, gave us guidelines as to which equipment we should purchase, and provided friendly advice along the way,” he said.

The Nevada State Legislature created the wind program in 2007, along with a micro hydroelectric program that offers incentives for farmers and ranchers to harness power from streams. Nevada’s successful photovoltaic incentive program, SolarGenerations, has been available since 2004.

“The greatest challenge for a program like ours is starting with a fledgling industry,” said John Hargrove, project manager for NV Energy’s wind, solar and hydro incentive programs. “When we started we didn’t have many contractors who understood wind power. As we continue to train the contractor base and make our customers aware of wind energy and our incentive programs, the industry is taking off.”

The WindGenerations program installation goal is 5 MW. “The program is just getting the wind under its wings and moving forward,” said Hargrove. “We hope this effort becomes as popular as our SolarGenerations program.”

Meanwhile, Illinois just added small wind to its previously solar-only rebate initiative. The state’s Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program is now open to accept applications, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said.

In addition to adding wind to the program, the maximum rebate has increased from $10,000 to $50,000. In addition, public sector and non-profit entities are now eligible for an incentive of 50% of total project cost (up to the $50,000 maximum rebate). The program guidelines and application form are available at www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy/Clean+Energy/01-RERP.htm.