Rebates and Incentives Free Wind Systems
Federal and state incentives have long been viewed as a means of supporting renewable energy technological developments and to help reduce the up-front cost of purchasing renewable energy systems. As a result, wind-based electricity is becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil-fueled electricity.
Although the state does not have a program at this time that provides funding of renewable energy equipment on an individual basis, there are tax exemptions available in certain instances. For example businesses that either use or manufacture or install wind energy generators can receive franchise tax deductions and/or exemptions. There also exists a property tax exemption involving wind energy generation for business installation or for the construction of such systems. See:
Texas Tax Code Incentives for Renewable Energy Systems
Property tax exemptions, franchise tax exemptions, and franchise tax deductions.
Texas residents can also check with their local utility providers, as some have energy efficiency programs that offer low cost loans/rebates and advice on renewable energy technologies.
Federal & State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) gives information on state and federal efficiency incentives by state, technology type, and incentive type with links to program web sites, legislation, tax credits and deductions, rebates, grants, low-interest loans, property and sales tax exemptions, and bond programs.
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) - Grants (PDF)
This is a U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
Funding Opportunities
Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Program UPDATE
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Program is expecting to open its next grant round on December 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted for both the Emissions Reduction Incentive Grant (ERIG) Program and the Rebate
Grants Program.
Grant application forms will be posted to TCEQ’s Web site on Monday, December 1, 2008. Any previous versions of the application forms will not be accepted.
Eligible counties for this grant cycle include: Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Parker, Rockwall, Rusk, Smith, Tarrant, Travis, Upshur, Waller, Williamson and Wilson.
Economic Stabilization Bill Includes Clean Energy Tax Incentives
The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which was attached to H.R. 1424, provides a one-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy, keeping the credit in effect through 2009. The bill also provides a two-year PTC extension, through 2010, for electricity produced from geothermal, biomass, and solar energy facilities, as well as trash-to-energy facilities, small hydropower facilities using irrigation water, capacity additions to existing hydropower plants, and hydropower facilities added to existing dams. In addition, the bill creates a new PTC for electricity produced by marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems (also called advanced water power systems) with a rated capacity of at least 150 kilowatts and placed in service by 2011. To help on the financing end, the bill authorizes $800 million in new Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for all of the above technologies. See the Department of Energy press release for more information.
New "Freedom Prizes" to Reward Innovative Energy Deployments
Application Due Date: January 2009
DOE and the Freedom Prize Foundation announced that more than $4 million will be awarded to efforts that reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil while enhancing the nation's security, economic prosperity, and health. The new "Freedom Prize" will provide awards of $500,000 to $1 million for the innovative deployment of existing technologies in each of five broad categories: industry, K-12 schools, the military, state and local governments, and communities. Final guidelines and application instructions for the prize will be released this fall, and applications will be due in January 2009, culminating in the award of the prizes in spring. The Freedom Prize was established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which authorized DOE to support the prize.
Incentive Programs
Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP)
TIAP provides information to give consumers and businesses up-to-date information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient projects and technologies passed by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which has been amended several times. TIAP is sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
ENERGY STAR tax credit summaries for consumers, homeowners, home builders, manufacturers, and commercial buildings
Energy-Efficiency Home and Vehicle Tax Credits
This site is a partnership of the Alliance to Save Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy. It examines tax credits and vehicle, home improvement and solar credits available under the Energy Policy Act.
Renewable Fuels Foundation Grants
The RFF seeks to provide funding to universities and non-profit organizations, such as research consortiums, in the United States. RFF reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the eligibility of a project for support.
Federal & State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) gives information on state and federal efficiency incentives by state, technology type, and incentive type with links to program web sites, legislation, tax credits and deductions, rebates, grants, low-interest loans, property and sales tax exemptions, and bond programs.
Financial Assistance
The Borrower's Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview (504 KB)
This U. S. Department of Energy document provides information that can assist assist both lenders and consumers in financing solar energy systems, which include both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems. The guide also includes information about other ways to make solar energy systems more affordable, as well as descriptions of special mortgage programs for energy-efficient homes.
DOE/EERE Financial Opportunities Web Site
The U. S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works with business, industry, universities, and others to increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. One way EERE encourages the growth of these technologies is by offering financial assistance opportunities for their development and demonstration. Also see Doing Business with the Department of Energy and Types of Financial Assistance to learn more about EERE funding mechanisms.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has many programs that help farmers, other rural residents, and the nation respond to energy-related issues and opportunities. These range from basic scientific research to the development and commercialization of new technologies. This USDA web site offers comprehensive information on energy-related programs, funding opportunities, and technical support across all USDA agencies and offices.
USDA Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Program
Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a program to make direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable-energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. This program is known as the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. Eligible renewable energy projects include wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. It includes hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar or geothermal energy sources. During Fiscal Year 2006, Texas provided nearly 1.7 million for this program. For further information contact the USDA Rural Development at (254) 742-9780. Also see USDA Energy Initiatives, and the USDA Rural Development Texas State Office.