an informational website
We offer and objective view of the State of CT plan and also provide other useful facts and data about Solar feasibility in CT
HOME PAGE
This website is designed to keep consumers informed on The CT Solar Lease
Program and the developments and changes in this program. This site
will also keep you up-to-date on the CT Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and the State of CT Solar Rebate
Program. The reason this website is an important source of information
is because we are OBJECTIVE. We
don't sell anything, and our site is updated constantly, according to changes
in
Dec 15 2008 CCEF update, latest rebate status.
Check out more solar fun facts or solar lease facts
or info about the financial
analysis of a solar system in CT. You can contact us at info.CTSolarlease@gmail.com with comments questions, photos etc. Or you can also use the contact form to
request a free solar evaluation by a qualified, State of
There is another little known option to financing your solar project, and that
is through CT Housing
Investment Fund (CHIF), which also has income limits. The difference,
however, is you own the system, as opposed to leasing it. Currently, the
problem with this program is that it doesn’t qualify for the State of CT Solar Rebate
Program but it does qualify for the new federal Investment Tax
Credit (ITC).
The Investment
Tax Credit (ITC) was approved by the Feds for Solar (Photovoltaics PV)
in October 2008. Solar was about to
become more justifiable until CT Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) cut its rebate program in November 2008. The nice part about
the Federal Investment Tax Credit is that it is not based on the efficiency of
your system, unlike the State rebate program, which is reduced for various
factors like orientation, shading and roof pitch. Installations on houses
with marginal conditions benefit and are almost as well off with the ITC as
they are with the State
of CT Solar rebate program.
Please check back with this site often because articles are updated
frequently. We will provide you the
latest on solar technology, solar manufacturers, vendors, Ct solar lease facts, and new
installations; and we will provide helpful hints on monitoring and maintaining
your system. We will periodically offer articles written by local experts on
subjects like local building regulations and tax implications, in addition
to tips on how to monitor and maintain your system in tiptop condition.
We also have useful tips in finding the correct system for your home,
regarding pricing and installation considerations. Please check out the great lease
vs electric savings page that
you will find useful in determining whether solar is feasible for your home.
Finally, this site is intended for you to voice your opinion and share your
knowledge and insight. Please feel free to send us your comments, photos,
opinions and insight. Please send them to our email: info.CTSolarlease@gmail.com
or use the contact
form section of this website or mail to
You can also use the contact
form to request a free solar evaluation by a qualified, State of
DO YOU KNOW YOUR ROOF SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST FIFTEEN YEARS OF LIFE LEFT TO
IT BEFORE INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS? IF NOT SAVE YOURSELF SOME TROUBLE AND
INSTALL A NEW ROOF 1ST
2008 has been a bit of a roller coaster ride because of CT Clean energy fund (CCEF) rebate program. The rebate started out the year as one of the golden jewels of the solar industry. Throughout the year CT was one of the busiest solar markets in the country.
The rebate program started the year at $5 per kw on the 1st 5 kw and $4.30 on the next 5 kw with a maximum rebate of $46,500. Late summer and early fall the economy started to crumble.
On Oct 10. 2008 the feds passed the Emergency Economic Stablization package which includes the new Federal tax credit for solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This credit which lifts the current $2000 maximum from the bill and allow taxpayers to take a full 30% tax credit on their out-of-pocket expenses.
The following is a sequence of events that occurred during the last few months with the State Rebate program:
November 10, 2008
Dear CCEF Installers:
As you are aware, on October 27th, 2008 the CCEF Board of Directors approved a reduction in the solar rebate cap levels (excluding solar lease applications) as follows:
Rebate on $/watt basis:
|
Previous Rebate Level |
New Rebate Level |
|
· $5.00 for the first 5kW
|
· $4.00 for the first 5kW
|
|
· $4.30 for the next 5kW
|
· $2.50 for the next 5kW
|
In a special Board meeting the CCEF Board of Directors approved today the following:
a. The new incentive cap level applies to all Solar PV Rebate Program applications received after October 27, 2008.
b. The prior incentive cap level applies to all Solar PV Rebate Program applications received on or before October 27, 2008.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
____________________________________________________________________________________
November 13, 2008
Dear CCEF Installers:
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund would like to inform you of the following:
· As of 10/31/08 there is approximately $800,000 available under the Solar PV Rebate Program.
· CCEF estimates that funds for the Rebate Program will be exhausted by the end of 2008.
· We have received at least 20 applications in November so far, which is in our pipeline to be approved.
· The rebate is reserved to customers on a first-come first-serve basis. Due to the limited availability of funds, we would like to emphasize that a rebate application does not guarantee that the rebate will be reserved for that customer until a Rebate Reservation letter is issued.
We would like to encourage CCEF installers to direct your efforts to the Solar Lease Program where more than $23 million has been allocated for rebates alone. CCEF through its Board of Directors have allocated the following to the Solar Lease Program:
· $15.2 million - to capitalize the solar lease program
· $23.4 million – rebate funding to match the lease funding
The goal of the Solar Lease Program is to provide leases for the purchase and installation of approximately 1,000 solar systems in a three-year period. Thus far, only a very small amount of this funding has been committed.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Angela Perondi-Pitel
On 11/18/08 installers received this memo from ccef
November 18, 2008
Dear CCEF Installers,
On behalf of CCEF, I regret to
inform you that we are no longer accepting applications for the Residential
Rebate Program at this time.
Even though funds for the Rebate Program are exhausted, there are adequate funds for our Solar Lease Program. For information on the solar lease program’s support materials for installers please check out our website at www.ctsolarlease.com .
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Angela Perondi-Pitel
So where does this leave us now? Well as of right now there is no CCEF
rebate. The only state incentive program for solar right now is the CT Solar Lease which has income limits and
has the normal underwriting restrictions like Income to debt ratio's of less
than 50% and minimum credit score of 640. With the tightening of
credit markets in general, the CT Solar Lease is not any exception as it seems
that the leasing company AFC First has tighten underwriting requirements.
All indications are the with a cooling economy, and less solar demand as
a result, we definitely could see lower silicon prices and therefore lower PV
panels which account for over 50% of the cost of a solar system. There is
a comprehensive study called utility solar assessment
study which discusses numerous solar technology and where the industry and
prices are predicted to be going.
Useful site to determine State
and federal incentives for renewable energy.
Useful spreadsheet to determine solar costs ,
incentives, and Kw production for CT installations
Income
restrictions by Town for CT Solar lease program
Explore fun
facts about solar technology
Information and facts about the CT Solar lease program
For information concerning solar's future check out the utility solar assessment
(USA) study
To be contacted for a free solar evaluation
by a State licensed Solar Contractor
For informational updates on the CT Clean Energy Fund
(CCEF) rebates, programs etc.
For income limits for the CHIF solar financing program
