Important Update: The Green Energy Fund ARRA Relief Program closed to new applications on November 1, 2011. However, the traditional Green Energy Programs are still accepting new grant requests. Please review the requirements of the Green Energy Programs by clicking here and selecting your utility company.
Introduction
Delaware has provided incentives to individuals who install photovoltaic, geothermal heat pumps, solar water heating systems, and wind turbines since 1999. These incentives have helped reduce Delaware’s dependence on fossil fuels. However, in recent years monthly collections of Green Energy Program funds have not been able to keep pace with requests for funds for renewable energy projects. While this is an encouraging sign for a growing renewable energy market, it also has meant that grant applicants faced extended delays to receive grant payments. Traditional program funds collected each month from electric bills have not provided a sustainable source of funding to support growing consumer renewable energy demand.
Fortunately, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has directed unprecedented funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy, reduce pollution, and create jobs. To shorten payment wait times, the Delaware Energy Office will use Recovery Act funds in place of traditional renewable energy dollars to pay grants.
Effective August 5, 2011, the Delaware Energy Office is re-launching the ARRA Relief Program to allow for more equitable access to these Recovery Act funds and to increase participation in the final months of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The program will now offer a standard grant calculation for applicants to the Green Energy Fund ARRA Relief Program so applicants have more equitable access to ARRA Relief Program funds for their renewable energy installations, regardless of electric utility company. Most notably, property owners in municipalities that currently do not participate in the Green Energy Program (Clayton, Smyrna, Seaford, and New Castle) will be eligible for renewable energy system funding through the ARRA Relief Program. Additionally, non-residential GEF applicants are now able to apply for funding through the ARRA Relief Program. The current Delmarva Power Green Energy Program incentives will be used to provide a consistent grant award for new Relief Program participants. As with the original ARRA Relief Program, renewable energy systems must have been installed after April 20, 2009 to be eligible for funding through this program. Details regarding how to take advantage of this opportunity and receive an accelerated grant payment are included on this webpage.
ARRA Relief Program incentive levels
A copy of the ARRA Relief Program Incentive levels and limits for new applicants can be found here.
Applicants with previously approved Green Energy Program grants will be eligible for whichever incentive is greatest.
If a new applicant would be eligible for a higher incentive through their current electric utility program, the applicant will be able to claim that amount for accelerated payment in the ARRA Relief Program.
Eligibility conditions
In order to receive Recovery Act funding through the Green Energy Fund ARRA Relief Program the following program eligibility conditions must be met:
Residential applicants
UPDATE: For energy audits completed after August 31, 2011, the energy audit reports and energy efficiency improvement invoices should be submitted directly to the Green Energy Program Team while the Energize Delaware Home Performance with Energy Star Program is closed to new applications. Energy audit reports must be completed using Beacon reporting software. The energy efficiency improvements implemented must be selected from the recommendations listed in the home energy audit report. Energy efficiency improvement invoices must be descriptive and itemized. All invoices submitted must be marked paid in full.
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You must own property in Delaware and install an eligible renewable energy system on this property.
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Your renewable energy system must have been installed after April 20, 2009.
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You must have an energy audit performed through the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility’s Energize Delaware Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) Program.
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Geothermal systems over 5.5 tons and all open loop system cannot receive funding through the ARRA Relief Program at this time due to federal restrictions related to the National Environmental Policy Act.
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If your home is more than 45 years old and/or located within a historic district, your project must pass a historical preservation review (please contact the Delaware Energy Office for more information).
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Your complete application must be submitted to the Delaware Energy Office by November 1, 2011. All stages of the project (including the submission of all final application documents) must be completed by March 1, 2012.
Non-residential applicants
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You must own property in Delaware and install an eligible renewable energy system on this property
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Your renewable energy system must have been installed after April 20, 2009;
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You must have an energy audit performed through the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility’s Energize Delaware Efficiency Plus Business Program.
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You must install of energy efficiency improvements valued at least 10 percent of the value of the Green Energy Program grant through the Efficiency Plus Business Program. (Example: for a project receiving a $20,000 PV grant incentive, the applicant must complete at least $2,000 of energy efficiency improvements.)
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Your project must comply with federal prevailing wage requirements (including the Davis Bacon Act). More information about prevailing wage and other Recovery Act requirements can be found here.
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Projects involving federal, state, or local government buildings must comply with federal Buy American requirements.
More information can be found
here or contact the Delaware Energy Office for additional guidance.
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Geothermal systems over 5.5 tons and all open loop system cannot receive funding through the ARRA Relief Program at this time due to federal restrictions related to the National Environmental Policy Act.
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If your building is more than 45 years old and/or located within a historic district, your project must pass a historical preservation review (please contact the Delaware Energy Office for more information).
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Your complete application must be submitted to the Delaware Energy Office by November 1, 2011. All stages of the project (including the submission of all final application documents) must be completed by March 1, 2012.
Step-by-step instructions
If you are interested in this opportunity to obtain accelerated renewable energy grant funding through the Green Energy Fund ARRA Relief Program, instructions for getting started can be found below:
Residential Applicant Instructions
Non-Residential Applicant Instructions
Application Checklist and Documentation Requirements
ARRA Relief Program application forms
Residential Applications:
Photovoltaic
Geothermal
Solar Water Heating
Wind
Non-Residential Applications:
Photovoltaic
Geothermal
Solar Water Heating
Wind
Other Forms:
Renewable Energy System Job Hours-Reporting Worksheet - REQUIRED for ALL applicants. This form should be completed by renewable energy system installing contractor and signed by both the applicant and contractor.
Important notes:
The ARRA Relief Program Grant Confirmation and Claim Form is not an approval for traditional Green Energy Program funding. If an applicant decides not to complete the ARRA Relief Program requirements, an application for traditional Green Energy Program funds will have to be resubmitted to the Delaware Energy Office. Applicants opting not to participate in the ARRA Relief Program must still comply with the renewable energy program polices of their respective electric utility grant programs.
If you have any questions about the program requirements after you review the program materials, please do not hesitate to contact the program manager at DNREC_GreenEnergyProgram@state.de.us or by phone: 302-735-3480.
