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Last Updated: 1/27/2017 Renewable Energy Programs Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources that are replenished at a human scale, such as sunlight, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal activity. Local renewable energy projects can benefit Alpine County by creating jobs and generating energy from sources that are abundant and widely available. Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit Residential Program A taxpayer may claim a credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for a renewable energy system that serves a dwelling unit located in the United States that is owned and used as a residence by the taxpayer. Expenditures include labor costs for on-site preparation, assembly or original system installation, and piping or wiring to interconnect a system to the home. Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a developer arranges for the design, permitting, financing and installation of a solar energy system on a customer’s property at little to no cost. The developer sells energy to the host customer at a fixed rate that is typically lower than the local utility’s retail rate. The lower price offsets the purchase of grid electricity while the developer receives the income from these sales of electricity as well as any tax credits and other incentives generated from the system. Tax Exemption for Farm Equipment and Machinery Non-Residential Program This partial exemption from state sales and use tax applies to solar photovoltaic systems that are primarily used to power farm equipment and machinery. Qualifying systems can be connected to the local electricity grid and used to offset the farm's electricity use via a net metering agreement with the local utility. This tax exemption is also applicable to wind machines and could apply to other energy efficient farm equipment. Federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit Non-Residential Program A taxpayer may claim an investment tax credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for solar, fuel cells, small wind systems or 10% of qualified expenditures for geothermal, microturbines and combined heat and power systems (CHP), aka co-generation systems. Expenditures include labor costs for onsite preparation, assembly or original system installation, and for piping or wiring to interconnect a system. New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) Non-Residential Program The NSHP provides financial incentives and other support to home builders, encouraging the construction of new, energy efficient solar homes that save homeowners money on their electric bills and protect the environment. Single Family Affordable Solar Housing (SASH) Low-Income Program The California Solar Initiative SASH program provides qualifying low-income homeowners up-front rebates to defray the costs of installing a solar electric system. Depending on the income level, homeowners may be eligible for a highly subsidized or entirely free system. The SASH program is administered by GRID Alternatives. ---PAGE BREAK--- Last Updated: 1/27/2017 Solar Permit Information EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR SMALL SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS Follow the process outlined in this document to obtain a solar permit from Alpine County. Necessary permit documents are hyperlinked. Follow these links to learn more about incentives and financing options for PG&E customers who are looking to upgrade to solar energy and save: PG&E Solar and Renewables PG&E Solar Water Heating PG&E Financing Options for Solar and Renewable Energy Systems Prepared by: