MassCEC is pleased to announce the launch of Block 7 of the Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program, currently scheduled for 1:00 pm EDT on Friday, July 15, 2011. The Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program helps finance the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for all residential projects and for commercial projects up to 10kW in capacity. Block 7 will consist of $1 million and will last until the funds are expended or until the end of the third quarter 2011, whichever is earlier. Funding is available for customers of investor owned utilities or Municipal Light Plants that have opted into MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust.
Program Update
MassCEC has continued to make programmatic changes to provide a more streamlined rebate process. Please see below for important changes and updates for Block 7:
ยท Rebate levels have not changed for Block 7
- The funding carve-out for Non-Expedited Installers is now 5% of the total funding block.
- The criterion to qualify for the Moderate Income Adder will only be based on an individual’s or domestic household’s 2010 tax return.
- Version 7 of the Participant’s Agreement, including the completed checklist, will need to be submitted with all Block 7 applications. In addition, System Owners must initial next to the certification bullets on the Participant’s Agreement in order for it to be accepted. (A “check” or other “X” will not be accepted.)
- Please remember that site photos must be included in the application documentation. In particular, MassCEC must receive an aerial photo of the project site. If it is unclear where the system will be located, please indicate it on the aerial photo.
- If the PV project System Owner is planning on selling SRECs, please do not select “Non-Reporter” in the PTS Reporter Field in PowerClerk.
- Please note that the physical address of the PV project must be an official Massachusetts city or town. If this differs from the mailing address, please provide separate addresses in the application.
- Any changes to the system size, specifications, or cost between rebate award and project completion must be noted on the Change Request Form. In addition, please provide accurate information on the initial meter read and the date in service on the project completion form. Failure to provide the most accurate information may result in delays in the rebate payment process, as well as delays in registering systems in the Production Tracking System for the purposes of selling SRECs.
- At project completion, please provide the customer and any SREC aggregator or broker with updated system information. This will help prevent delays in the SREC registration process.
- MassCEC requires awarded System Owners to submit a signed W-9 form prior to remittance of the rebate check. Directions on how to submit the form will be included in the rebate award packet. Please note that delays in submitting a signed W-9 form may result in delays in processing the rebate payment.
- Projects using Evergreen Solar modules that submit completion paperwork after March 31, 2011 will be eligible to receive the Massachusetts Company Components adder only if the Evergreen Solar modules were purchased on or before March 31, 2011. Installers will need to submit purchase order documentation demonstrating the purchase date of the modules at project completion. Projects using Evergreen Solar modules that have a purchase order date after March 31, 2011 will not be eligible to receive the Massachusetts Company Components adder for those modules.
All changes cannot be captured in this email, so please read the program documents carefully!
PowerClerk Installer Training (for new Expedited Installers)
All solar PV installers who have successfully completed one Commonwealth Solar PV installation will now be required to participate as Expedited Installers through our online application system PowerClerk. To ensure that your installation company is set up to use PowerClerk, please email .moc.1336595129cecss1336595129am@sc1336595129
Expedited Installers who have already received a Username and Password will be able to continue to log in and enter applications as they have in the past.
All Installers who are new to PowerClerk are required to view the virtual PowerClerk training session by clicking here:
http://web3.streamhoster.com/mtc/PowerClerk/MRET_Commercial_2_5.htm
This will be your training tool to familiarize yourself with the PowerClerk application tool and the process for submitting an electronic application.
As a reminder, all Expedited Installers are required to print, sign, and submit their PowerClerk generated application. Expedited Installers should not submit a paper application from our website (this form is for Non-Expedited Installers only.)
Note: First-time installers (Non-Expedited Installers) will still be able to download a Commonwealth Solar II Application (Attachment A) from our website. These applications, along with all back-up documentation, should be submitted via email to .moc.1336595129cecss1336595129am@sc1336595129
Questions
All inquiries related to the Commonwealth Solar II Rebate Program should be emailed to moc.c1336595129ecssa1336595129m@sc1336595129. MassCEC will respond to your inquiry in a timely fashion.
We look forward to the launch of Block 7 and hope you are able to participate. Thank you for your support of solar power in Massachusetts!