|
Frequently Asked Questions
Installer
- What is a NYSERDA eligible installer?
- NYSERDA eligible installers are the only individuals approved to apply for PV incentives on behalf of customers. They have been selected on the basis of factors including: their previous experience with installing grid-connected PV systems; their completion of recommended training and certification programs; and their agreement to meet the terms and conditions of NYSERDA’s PV incentive program.
- What are the application requirements for becoming a NYSERDA eligible installer?
- Required:
- A completed “Installer Eligibility Application Form-Attachment C”
- A signed copy of the complete “Terms and Conditions”
- Documentation of training and educational background
- Proof of insurance, listing both NYSERDA and the State of New York as additional insured parties
- Three references
- Strongly recommended:
- What training is required of a NYSERDA eligible installer?
- Due to the varied nature of PV installer training programs, NYSERDA has not established specific training program requirements for interested installers. However, NYSERDA strongly recommends that individuals complete an ISP-accredited course, and either hold or actively pursue NABCEP certification.
- How much will the required training cost?
- Training costs vary widely, and the individual should directly contact the training programs to get specific cost information. Plan on spending $50-$150 for a one-day training course, or $250-$1,000 for a week-long course.
- I am an electrician. Am I already qualified to install PV systems?
- Regardless of previous experience, individuals from all backgrounds must submit a complete application to become a NYSERDA eligible installer and apply for incentives. While all electricians are familiar with the National Electric Code and other such requirements, installing a PV system requires skills such as site evaluation and assessment of orientation and shading.
- If I already hold NABCEP certification, or am an installer in another PV program, do I still need to apply to be a NYSERDA eligible installer?
- All individuals must apply to become NYSERDA eligible installers, even if they already hold the recommended certifications and experience.
- How can I complete the recommended three installations if I am not yet an eligible installer and can’t apply for the incentives?
- Individuals who are not yet NYSERDA eligible installers may obtain the recommended three installations through a variety of mechanisms. New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) offers a PV Installer Internship Program, which helps new installers gain the experience they need. Individuals also may wish to contact local eligible installers who may be willing to accept apprentices, or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which may be able to assist. Finally, New York schools that offer PV installer training may have opportunities available to gain experience.
- What are the insurance requirements for eligible installers under NYSERDA’s PV incentive program?
- NYSERDA’s insurance requirements for eligible installers are as follows:
- Proof of $1 million in general liability insurance
- $500,000 in respect of claims arising out of personal injury, or sickness or death of any one person
- $1,000,000 in respect of claims arising out of personal injury, sickness or death in any one accident or disaster
- $500,000 in respect of claims arising out of property damage in any one accident or disaster
- NYSERDA and the State of New York listed as additional insured
- I am a new NYSERDA eligible installer. Can I now apply for incentives on previous installations?
- No. All eligible installers must apply for NYSERDA incentives before a project is undertaken.
- What are the incentive limits for residential systems?
- Customers classified as residential on their utility bills qualify for residential incentive rates. Each residential customer may receive incentives for up to 10 kW. The incentive for the first 5 kW is $4.00/watt for traditional PV systems, and $4.50/watt if the system is either building integrated or installed on an ENERGY STAR® home. For additional watts above 5 kW, all residential incentives will be reduced by $1.00/watt.
- What are the incentive limits for non-residential systems?
- All customers not classified as residential on their utility bills qualify for non-residential incentive rates. Incentives are limited to 50 kW per individually metered system, although there is no cap on the number of systems for which a non-residential customer can receive incentives. For the first 25 kW, the incentives are $4.00/watt for traditional systems, $4.50/watt for building integrated, and $5.00/watt for schools, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities. All non-residential incentives will be reduced by $1.00/watt for additional watts above 25 kilowatts. The chart below outlines the incentive rates that a non-residential customer may receive when completing multiple installations of traditional PV systems.
System 1 |
System 2 |
1st 25 kW-$4.00/watt incentive |
1st 25 kW-$3.00/watt incentive |
2nd 25 kW-$3.00/watt incentive |
2nd 25 kW-$3.00/watt incentive |
Top of Page
Customer
General questions:
- What are photovoltaics or solar-electric systems?
- Solar electric, or photovoltaic (PV) technology, makes use of the abundant energy in the sun, and has little impact on our environment. Photovoltaics can be used in a wide range of products, from small consumer items to large commercial solar electric systems. Commonly known as solar cells, individual PV cells are electricity-producing devices made of semiconductor materials. PV cells come in many sizes and shapes—from smaller than a postage stamp to several inches across. They are often connected together to form PV modules. Modules, in turn, can be combined and connected to form PV arrays of different sizes and power output. These connected systems integrate easily with existing energy supplies.
- What is the NYSERDA PV incentive program?
- NYSERDA has cash incentives available for the installation of small PV systems. The cash incentives are only available for PV systems purchased and installed through an eligible installer. Typical PV cash incentives can help offset the total installation costs of a PV system by 40-50%.
- How much of my electric demand will a PV system offset?
- Based on system size, building size, location, and other factors, the amount of your home’s electric demand that can be offset by a PV system will vary widely. Use the Clean Power Estimator to approximate your potential electric savings.
- How much will the installation of a PV system cost?
- The cost of a PV system installation will vary due to a variety of factors, including the installer and the PV components selected. Visit the Clean Power Estimator to approximate the cost of a system at your location. For graphs summarizing current program costs and enrollment, click here.
- How much time is required to install a PV system?
- The time required to complete a PV installation will vary widely. The actual installation of a PV system can be completed in 1-3 days, and the chart below outlines the typical timeline for the entire process.
- What factors should I consider to determine if a PV system is appropriate for my home/business?
- The PV system needs unobstructed access to the sun's rays for most or all of the day, throughout the year.
- Adequate roof or ground space to mount your PV system is necessary. Most residential systems require as little as 100 square feet (for a small system) or up to 1,000 square feet for larger systems.
- The age and material of your roof will determine both the cost and suitability of installing a PV system at your site. Since PV modules should last over 20 years, you should install them on a roof that will not need replacing for some time.
- The size of your system will be dependent upon your particular energy needs, available space, and budget.
Top of Page
PV system questions:
- What does a typical PV system look like?
- A typical PV system consists of solar cells connected electrically to form a module that can measure two to four feet wide and four to six feet long. Many interconnected PV modules are called an array. An array is often mounted on the roof of a building, facing south at an angle, so the modules receive the maximum amount of sunlight. Another typical feature of a PV system is the inverter, which changes your electricity from direct current to alternating current so it can be used by most standard appliances and computers. Batteries may also be added for emergency backup in the event of power outages or in cases where your PV system is not connected to utility power lines.
- How is power measured from a PV or solar electric power system?
- The capacity of a PV system is stated in terms of the number of watts, kilowatts or megawatts it produces in standard sunlight conditions. A good estimate for New York is that each kilowatt of PV capacity (alternating current) will produce approximately 1,000 to 1,300 kWh (kilowatt hours) per year, depending on the angle at which the solar panels are mounted. Thus, a 3 kW system will generate about 3,000-3,900 kWh per year, or about 50-60 percent of the average residence’s electric consumption.
- How is solar energy stored and measured?
- A PV system is not inherently capable of storing electricity unless it is combined with a battery system to store the energy it produces. Although battery storage is available, it adds additional costs to a system and is therefore less common. Instead, most homes use energy from the electrical grid when their PV systems are not generating an adequate amount of electricity. Solar energy output can be measured by a monitor for small systems, and by a more sophisticated data acquisition system (DAS) for larger systems.
- How much roof space do I need for a PV system?
- Most PV systems produce about 10 watts of power for each square foot of PV module. This means that you can install a small starter system on as little as 50 square feet of roof space, or as much as 1,000 square feet for a more powerful system. A typical four kilowatt system will need 400 to 800 square feet of unobstructed area, but always make sure you are able to access your system easily. This access space can add up to 20 percent to the total space you need for your system.
- What are the maintenance requirements and life span of the PV modules?
- Cleaning a PV system is generally unnecessary, except when it is located in close proximity to a high pollution source. Beyond the system warranty period, the wiring connections should be analyzed annually by a professional. Photovoltaic systems, properly designed and installed, commonly last for decades.
- How can I optimize the performance of my solar electric system?
- Your PV system can provide a greater fraction of your electricity if the electricity is used more efficiently. Changing your lighting from incandescent to compact fluorescent and buying ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances will reduce your electrical consumption without altering your lifestyle.
- Will severe weather adversely impact my PV system?
- PV modules are relatively unaffected by severe weather. In fact, some PV cells actually work better in colder weather. PV modules are angled to catch the sun, not snow, so any snow that does collect melts quickly. Even hail will not harm them.
- What happens if PV panels are shaded by objects such as trees and buildings?
- Shading PV panels decreases a system’s output. While some shading can be acceptable during certain times of the day (early morning and late afternoon) it is important to minimize the impact that shading from trees, nearby buildings, and other factors can have. Ensure that your installer assesses the impact of shading.
- Can a system still receive the NYSERDA incentive if it does not face due south?
- Yes, as long as the system still generates enough energy to meet NYSERDA’s output requirements. To receive the maximum incentive, total system losses (from shading and orientation) cannot exceed 20 percent of optimal output for non-building integrated systems, and 35 percent for building integrated systems. If losses will exceed these amounts, incentives will be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, any available incentives for these systems will be calculated at the lowest available incentive level for that application, and then the incentive will be prorated by the output loss.
- Must a PV system be grid-connected to receive NYSERDA’s PV incentive?
- Yes, your PV system must connect to the electric utility system or grid. Additionally, you must sign an interconnection agreement with your utility company. The interconnection agreement sets the terms and conditions under which a PV system can be safely connected to the utility grid, and outlines metering arrangements for your PV system.
- Does the New YorkState System Benefits Charge/Renewable Portfolio Standard impact my eligibility?
- Yes - PV systems must be installed at a site that pays into the System Benefits Charge/Renewable Portfolio Standard. If you pay into the SBC/RPS, it will say so on your utility bill. If you are uncertain, please contact your electric utility. Commercial and industrial customers should also contact their utilities, as some do not pay into the SBC/RPS. Electric customers of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) are not eligible for funding under this program.
- How does net-metering impact the economics of a PV installation?
- Net-metering allows the PV system to send excess electricity back through the electric meter to the utility. The meter actually runs backwards! Through net-metering, excess electricity is "sold back" to the utility. Your utility will credit the excess power produced at the same rate paid for electricity purchased. Only residential PV systems of 10kW and smaller are eligible for net-metering.
- Is there a maximum size for systems that are eligible to participate in NYSERDA’s PV incentive program?
- No. However, incentives are capped at 10 kW for residential systems, and 50 kW for non-residential installations.
Top of Page
Financial assistance questions:
- What cash incentives does NYSERDA have for PV systems?
- Cash incentives vary depending on the installation, and are subject to change:
- Residential Incentives
$4.00 per watt up to 5,000 watts or 5 kW
$4.50 per watt Energy Star up to 5,000 watts or 5 kW
$4.50 per watt for all building-integrated PV systems up to 5,000 watts or 5 kW
For additional watts above 5 kW, all residential incentives will be reduced by $1.00/watt and all residential incentives will be capped at 10 kW.
- Non-Residential Incentives
$4.00 per watt up to 25 kW
$4.50 per watt for all building integrated PV systems up to 25 kW
$5.00 per watt for schools, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities up to 25 kW
All non-residential incentives will be reduced by $1.00 per watt for additional watts above 25 kW and non-residential incentives will be capped at 50 kW per site/meter. Exemptions related to systems per customer may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Some customers may also be able to receive additional financial assistance through the New York Energy $martSM Loan Fund.
- How do I apply for an incentive for a PV system?
- Contact at least three Eligible Installers to request information and bids for a PV system. Be mindful that many installers charge a site assessment fee. Once you select an Eligible Installer, the Eligible Installer will apply for an incentive.
- What paperwork will I need to fill out to participate in the program?
- Eligible installers are responsible for all paperwork required under this program.
- Incentive application form
- Customer purchase agreement - this will outline total installed costs, provide detailed costs of all major components, identify the expected cash incentive(s), and provide an installation schedule.
- Packing slip - this indicates that all system components have been delivered to the installation site.
- How and when are the cash incentives paid?
- Incentives are paid to eligible installers that have been approved to participate in this program.
- Incentive payments are not paid directly to the owner of the PV system; however, they are passed on to a customer in full.
- The entire incentive must be passed on to the owner of the PV system by the eligible installer.
- The eligible installer determines how the incentive will be paid to the customer. In most cases, the installer will discount the system cost by the incentive amount at the time of purchase. Others require full payment in advance, and the incentive is refunded to the customer when it is received from NYSERDA.
- Incentives are paid to the installer in two installments. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the incentive is paid after the equipment is delivered to the installation site, with the remaining twenty-five (25%) paid when the PV system is grid-connected and approved by your utility.
- NYSERDA reserves the right to review any installation prior to final incentive payment being made.
- Incentives will not be paid for PV systems installed by contractors or individuals who are not on NYSERDA’s list of eligible installers.
- Incentives are not available for systems that are installed (partially or completely) prior to the submission and approval of an incentive application.
- Are tax credits available for my PV system?
- Residential PV systems are typically eligible for both state and federal tax credits. Commercial PV systems are generally eligible for a federal tax credit. For further tax credit questions, contact the IRS or the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
- Are there any other NYSERDA incentives available?
- The New York Energy $martSM Loan Fund may be available to some customers. It provides interest rate reductions on loans for energy efficiency projects and renewable technologies. Interest rates for loans can be reduced by 4.0% for up to 10 years.
- Can I combine an incentive from LIPA or NYPA with the NYSERDA incentive?
- No, NYSERDA incentives are only available to customers who pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC). LIPA customers do not pay into the SBC. LIPA has its own PV Incentive Program, and NYPA may provide customers with funding assistance.
- What are some of the other benefits of buying a PV system under NYSERDA’s PV incentive program?
- All PV systems installed under this program will come with a full 5-year parts and labor warranty.
- The PV system will include an easy-to-read digital meter allowing customers and installers to monitor system performance.
- All PV systems will be monitored for energy production, at least twice a year, for two years. However, systems larger than 25 kW may have more extensive data collection and reporting requirements. If the PV system is not operating at specified performance goals, an installer will inspect the system components.
- NYSERDA will review each proposed PV system design, all incentive applications, and every customer purchase agreement. The scope of the NYSERDA review will be limited solely to determining whether NYSERDA's program conditions have been met and will not include any type of safety review.
- NYSERDA will work closely with each eligible installer and monitor the installer’s performance throughout the program.
- What is the average payback time for a PV system, and how can I estimate what my system’s payback time might be?
- Payback time will vary considerably among PV systems. With the NYSERDA incentive and various tax credits, the payback time is generally about 15 years. To approximate the payback period for your system, visit the Clean Power Estimator.
Top of Page
Application/installer selection questions:
- What is a NYSERDA eligible installer?
- NYSERDA eligible installers are the only individuals approved to apply for NYSERDA’s incentives on behalf of PV customers. They have been selected on the basis of factors including: their previous experience with installing grid-connected PV systems; their completion of recommended training and certification programs; and their agreement to meet the terms and conditions of NYSERDA’s PV incentive program.
- Can you recommend eligible installers?
- NYSERDA maintains a complete and current list of its eligible installers. However, NYSERDA is not permitted to recommend any specific installers.
- What criteria should I use to select an eligible installer?
- There are many factors to consider in addition to price when selecting an installer. In addition to soliciting price quotes, you should also consider location, experience (both in years and number of completed projects), certification (e.g. NABCEP), average installation timeframe, and company size. You should also request a minimum of three customer references from previous installations.
Schools
- Can my school still be involved in the School Power…Naturally program?
- While the 50 schools to receive PV systems through the program have already been chosen, there are still many opportunities available. All schools have access to performance data from the 50 systems, as well as lessons related to the technology. Additionally, schools without their own PV systems can become “Solar Buddies” with participating schools, allowing them to share resources and spread solar education through clubs and other outreach activities.
- Can my school receive the same funding for equipment and installation as the schools in the School Power…Naturally program?
- No. However, schools may receive funding through NYSERDA’s PV incentive program. Through this program, schools are eligible for a $5.00/watt incentive for up to 25 kW, and a $4.00/watt incentive for the next 25 kW.
- Are there academic materials or teaching aids available to incorporate solar energy education into the classroom?
- Yes! There are 64 lessons covering solar energy topics available to schools. Of these, 15 lessons use small PV demonstration kits that provide hands-on classroom instruction. All of the lessons, which are geared toward various grade levels, are designed to address New York learning standards. These curricular materials are available at the School Power…Naturally page.
- Where can demonstration kits be purchased?
- Many of the items in the demonstration kits are commonly available to teachers. For information on how to assemble your own demonstration kits, click here.
- How can my school access data from the School Power…Naturally program, and can my school submit data?
- All of the solar output data from participating School Power…Naturally schools are available here. Schools that are not participating in the School Power…Naturally program cannot currently post their data on NYSERDA’s website. However, schools are free to monitor and display their solar energy output data on their own websites, and NYSERDA will happily link to the websites of schools that do so.
- Is my school’s roof suitable for a PV system?
- No matter what kind of school building you have, an installation can accommodate your roof type. In the past, schools have installed PV systems on flat roofs, sloped roofs, as awnings, and on ground-mounted poles.
- What are some of the unique costs and considerations associated with installing a PV system at a school?
- Special rules and situations unique to schools can cost more than a typical residential system: approvals by local education boards or state education departments, urban considerations, local building codes, design issues, worker requirements for school access, and interconnection rules.
- What are the benefits associated with installing a PV system at my school?
- There are numerous benefits associated with school PV systems. These include:
- Education: Installing a PV system at your school accords an excellent opportunity to provide hands-on, science based learning about important energy issues.
- Community: Schools can extend their influence by bringing solar energy awareness into their communities.
- Outreach: Schools have the opportunity to share their experiences by networking with other institutions and organizations. Additionally, schools could create media and promotional opportunities.
- Energy: Depending on the size of the system, a school can generate enough electricity to power one office’s lights, a classroom’s computers, or more.
- Will the 2 kW system used in the School Power…Naturally program provide significant cost savings?
- The 2 kW system is appropriate as an educational and tracking tool, but in most schools it will not provide significant cost savings.
- Where can I find more information about starting a PV program for my school?
- Click here to view a paper on how to develop a solar program at your school. Additional information is available at the School Power…Naturally website, and information about current NYSERDA PV incentives is available here. For general questions about NYSERDA’s PV incentive program, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Does NYSERDA offer programs to help incorporate wind energy at my school?
- Yes! For those schools wishing to install a small wind turbine, NYSERDA offers financial incentives to offset costs. Schools and universities that install these turbines and incorporate them into their lessons can receive a higher incentive rate than is traditionally available. Additionally, there are other workshops where teachers can learn innovative wind education techniques that they can bring into the classroom. Visit the Kidwind website to learn more about upcoming workshops from one such program.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
