Government Incentives

Incentives are available from Federal, State and some local agencies to underwrite the purchase and installation of a renewable energy system as well as to fund projects that improve energy efficiency. Finding and applying for these incentives isn't always easy, so AllGreen tries to make the process simpler.

The following sections describe some of the incentives and link you to relevant websites. Our listing isn't complete but it's a good place to get started (and we update it frequently).

Federal Tax Incentives
The 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, includes host of new tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for homes and business. A consumer tax credit of 30% (up to $1,500) is available in 2009 and 2010 for the purchase of a 75% efficient biomass-burning stove. Other credits are available for wind, solar, electric vehicles and a variety of other programs.

For more information about the tax credit for biomass stoves (note: biomass boilers fall under the same definition), see the Patio and Barbeque Association (HPBA) website.

Another useful website is maintained by the Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) . This group is sponsored by a coalition of public interest nonprofit groups, government agencies, and other organizations in the energy efficiency field, and is designed to give consumers and businesses information they need to make use of the federal income tax incentives for energy efficient products and technologies.

AllGreen has compiled a general listing of credits: Federal Home Improvement Tax Credits

For a broader overview of incentives available in the 2009 Economic Stimulus legislation, the law firm of Stoel Rives LLP has written an indepth analysis: "Show Me The Money"

State and Local Agency Tax Incentives
Each state has a different set of incentives and rules that apply. The best overall source of information is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) which is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), primarily through the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis (PBA). The site is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which is operated for DOE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Here are some examples of what you will find on the DsireUSA.org site:

To learn more about incentive programs for energy efficiency or renewable energy in your state, or to find information about related rules regulations and policies, visit the DSIREUSA.ORG website and click on the link for your state.