Identification of Incentives for the Use of Solar Energy Technology in the MASEC Region

摘要

The findings of a survey of the content, history and effectiveness of solar energy incentives in the 12-state region of the Mid-American Solar Energy Center are reported. The purpose of the survey is to: compile a current catalogue of solar incentives in the MASEC region, assess the effectiveness of those incentives in promoting the use of solar energy, develop a set of recommendations to facilitate the enactment of additional legislation in the MASEC regions. Among the major types of enacted incentives, property tax exemptions, deductions, and rebates are most common, followed by demonstration projects, income tax credits, and solar easement provisions. The states most active in terms of total incentives are Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In general, solar incentives were actively promoted by a core of legislators and public interest groups, and encountered little organized opposition during the legislation process. Three factors appear to have influenced the successful passage of proposed incentives: the attitude of utility companies; state constitutional constraints; and limitations imposed by state tax structures. In most states, implementation of the incentives has been hindered by an absence of specific procedures and definitions in the original legislation. It is clear at this point that an extremely limited number of individuals have utilized the available incentives, and that widespread adoption will not occur without additional public education and the enactment of solar incentives at the federal level. A recommended set of actions for MASEC states includes the modification of existing legislation in cases were deficiencies - especially in implementation procedures - have been identified, and the passage of additional incentives in states which have been slow in developing solar legislation. (ERA citation 07:042754)