Thanks to our friend Jan Hubbard at Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) for pulling this information together.
Jan Hubbard at MRES heard some concern that Solar*Rewards 2012 program funding is already exhausted, so he gave John Wold, the program manager for Xcel Energy in Minnesota, a call to get the story.
“There are funds available for 2012, and we update the Solar*Rewards webpage each week with the status under the ‘Benefits’ section,” said John Wold, Xcel Energy marketing manager. “While we do have unapproved projects in the application process that could use all the 2012 funds budgeted, there are some solar PV projects that are difficult to approve, because they have complex ownership issues, zoning variances needed, or are simply speculative. Installers and customers should know that good quality south facing sites with no complex issues will still get approved and funded for 2012,” said Wold.
The current information for the Minnesota program on the Xcel Solar*Rewards website is:
| 2012 Solar*Rewards Funding (updated – 11/4/2011) | |||
| Budget | Committed | Reserved | Remaining |
| $4,600,000 | Jan. 2012 | $2,229,355 | $2,370,645 |
| 2011-12 MN Bonus Funding (updated – 11/4/2011) | |||
| Budget | Committed | Reserved | Remaining |
| $6,000,000 | $91,206 | $4,133,896 | $1,774,898 |
For both programs, Xcel indicates that no funds will be committed until January 2012, when funds reserved have been guaranteed to customers through a Solar*Rewards Acknowledgement Letter. Therefore, Xcel Energy customers interested in getting 2012 Solar*Rewards funding can still get new solar PV project funded starting in January 2012, and they can send in project applications anytime funds remain available.
If you have not heard of Solar*Rewards before, here is how Xcel Energy describes it on their website:
Get rebates, reimbursed for solar energy in Minnesota: Minnesota customers, are you considering a solar power system to produce renewable energy for your home or business? We can help. Solar*Rewards offers incentives and rebates for installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Reduce your energy bill by producing your own renewable energy. In addition, if you do not consume all of your PV production, the excess generation will be credited on your bill.
Currently, the state of Minnesota also offers an additional rebate if you buy solar panels involving Minnesota manufacturers. See Minnesota Bonus Rebate Program for more information. Other rebates, grants or tax credits may be available. We must have done our Home Energy Audit or On-Site Energy Assessment in the last three years on the property where you plan to install the system. Assessments and audits by other organizations do not qualify.
You can visit the Solar*Rewards webpage to learn more and apply.
