NJ Solar Rebate Changes
The NJ Clean Energy Program changed some of the rules for the solar PV rebate program. The changes can be found HERE.
One small change is how the rebate is figured. The rebate used to be based on the lesser of $5.50 per watt or 70% of the total invoice from the vendor. Now, it’s based on $5.30 per watt. Supposedly, this is intended to foster price competition among installers. For me, based on my installer’s charges, it would have cost me about $900 more – I guess my installer was more expensive than most. I suspect that my installer will eat the decreased rebate rather than lose business.
They also want an “electric bill showing yearly usage”. Now, PSE&G doesn’t produce that. I suppose you could produce two bills a year apart, but the only way I’ve ever gotten yearly usage from PSE&G is via screen prints from their billing system.
They also want a copy of the Completed Interconnection Agreement before they’ll pay the rebate. In my case, the rebate was paid even though PSE&G forgot to sign and return the agreement. I wonder how this works with the new BPU rules that state that the system can be activated if the utility doesn’t reply within 2 weeks.
They’ve also added an inspection charge beyond the first 2 inspections by the state inspector. My installation only required one inspection, but I guess lower quality work might require multiple inspections.
Renewable Energy Feasibility – NJ
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities commissioned a study to determine whether or not it would be feasible to require that 20% of NJ’s energy needs be met by renewables by 2020. They received the results last week. (Press Release)
The study results show that increasing the requirement to 20% by 2020 would only result in a 3.7% increase in electric rates – which is negigible over the 16 year period. It’s important to note that this scenario assumes significant cost-reducing technology changes for wind and PV (solar) production. The report leans heavily on wind-generated power including off-shore wind installations in it’s estimates.
Interestingly, the report promises 11,700 jobs related solely to the production and installation of solar and wind technology in NJ. The report also points to reduction in natural gas prices as a result as demand for natural gas in utility production of electricity declines. And of course there are the health benefits of reducing polluting methods of producing electricity.
I have to admit – I’m a little skeptical of the results. For one thing, they base their estimates on the best case scenario – that we would have significant cost reduction for wind and PV power in the 20 years. However, I’m strongly in favor of anything that makes NJ cleaner and less dependent on fossil fuels.
NJ BPU Commissioner Walks the Talk
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Connie Hughes is the first state utility board commissioner in the country to install a solar electric system on her home. (Press Release)
Her home includes a 9.9 kW solar electric system, a thermal solar system for her pool, and passive solar features on the south side of their house. She shares the home with her husband, James – a Dean at Rutgers University (our alma mater!).
I wonder how long it took her to get the various approvals required?
UPDATE: 7/7/2004 – They have pictures up on the NJ BPU Home Page, at least temporarily. It looks like Sharp panels, and almost definately the same inverters that we have (she has 3).
Inspections
Today, we are scheduled for inspections by the township building department, and the NJ Clean Energy Program. The township inspection is required before filing the PSE&G Interconnection Agreement and before the NJ Clean Energy Program will release the rebate to my installer.
Stay tuned for results!
UPDATE: 10:15am – the Building Inspector has come and gone. He approved us. He used to work for my company a long time ago. He was really interested in the whole solar thing so I gave him the nickel tour.
UPDATE #2: 11:15am – the Electrical Inspector has come and gone. His first question was “Where’s the transfer switch?” (there is none – and he inspected another system a few weeks ago nearby.) I explained the function of the system, showed him the original electrical drawing, and the inverter manual. I think he decided that he didn’t know as much as my installer and approved us. The yellow permit card has now been removed from the window.
I’ll be filing the PSE&G interconnection agreement this afternoon.
UPDATE #3 5:00pm – The NJ Clean Energy Program inspector was here a few minutes ago. He also passed us. He did a more thorough inspection than the township inspector – actually counted the panels, checked the DC voltage at the DC disconnect switches, and turned off the exterior A/C disconnect switches to see the meter speed up (it was running forward).
I mailed the PSE&G interconnection agreement paperwork today at the post office – they should receive it on Thursday. My installer estimates a 6-week wait for the new meter and the ability to turn the system back on again – for now it will sit dormant.
Township Inspection Scheduled
The Township inspection has been scheduled for next Tuesday, May 25. My installer will be trying to schedule the state BPU inspector to come the same day (or he might just choose not to inspect).
After that, the PSE&G paperwork goes in, which might take as long as 6 weeks. It might be mid-July before we’re truly live full-time.
UPDATE: The State BPU inspection is scheduled for the same day. The inspector will be coming by on his way home out of Trenton – we’re conveniently located!
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