SENATE FILE 99

BY  BOLKCOM

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a solar energy rebate program and fund, and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  469.12  Solar energy rebate program.
   1.  The office shall establish a solar energy rebate program. The purpose of the program is to offer financial incentives to encourage the installation of solar thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems in the commercial, agricultural, and residential sectors.
   2.  Sixty percent of the moneys deposited in the solar energy rebate program fund pursuant to section 469.13 shall be allocated for the awarding of rebates to qualifying commercial or agricultural applicants, and forty percent of such moneys shall be allocated for awards to qualifying residential applicants. A rebate may be received for up to thirty percent of the costs of installation, subject to a maximum award of fifteen thousand dollars for a commercial or agricultural installation and three thousand dollars for a residential installation. The amount of a rebate for which an applicant may be eligible shall be reduced by the amount of any similar rebate or incentive for the development of alternate or renewable energy awarded by the applicant’s electric utility for the same installation. 
   3.  Eligibility criteria for the program shall include the following:
   a.  An applicant shall complete and submit an energy audit conducted either by or on behalf of the applicant’s electric utility or through a private energy audit service.
   b.  The solar thermal or photovoltaic system must qualify for the energy star efficiency rating developed by the United States environmental protection agency. 
   c.  The installation must be performed by a licensed or certified installer qualified to install solar energy systems and equipment, and must meet or exceed all applicable local building codes and ordinances.
   d.  An applicant must meet eligibility criteria for the awarding of any similar rebate or incentive for the development of alternate or renewable energy offered by the applicant’s electric utility, if applicable. 
   4.  Application forms and additional approval criteria shall be established by the office by rule.
   Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  469.13  Solar energy rebate program —— fund established —— appropriation.
   1.  A solar energy rebate program fund is created in the state treasury to be administered by the office. Moneys deposited in or appropriated to the fund shall be used to administer the solar energy rebate program and award rebates pursuant to section 469.12.
   2.  There is annually appropriated from the general fund of the state to the office the sum of ten million dollars for deposit into the fund to administer the solar energy rebate program. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated in this section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes designated until the close of the succeeding fiscal year.
EXPLANATION
   This bill establishes a solar energy rebate program administered by the office of energy independence to encourage the installation of solar thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems in the commercial, agricultural, and residential sectors.
   The bill provides that moneys appropriated for the program shall be allocated on the basis of 60 percent for rebates to qualifying commercial or agricultural applicants, and 40 percent to qualifying residential applicants. The bill states that an applicant may receive a rebate for up to 30 percent of system installation costs, subject to a maximum award of $15,000 for a commercial or agricultural installation and $3,000 for a residential installation, but reduced by the amount of any similar rebate or incentive for the development of alternate or renewable energy awarded by the applicant’s electric utility for the same installation. 
   To be eligible for a rebate, the bill states an applicant shall complete and submit an energy audit, the installation must qualify for the energy star efficiency rating developed by the United States environmental protection agency, the installation must be performed by a licensed or certified installer qualified to install solar energy systems and equipment and meet or exceed all applicable local building codes and ordinances, and an applicant must meet eligibility criteria for the awarding of any similar rebate or incentive for the development of alternate or renewable energy offered by the applicant’s electric utility, if applicable. The bill provides that application forms and additional approval criteria shall be established by the office by rule.
   The bill establishes a solar energy rebate program fund in the state treasury under the control of the office, and appropriates $10 million annually from the general fund of the state for deposit into the fund to administer the program and award rebates. The bill provides that amounts so appropriated remaining unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure for the purposes designated until the close of the succeeding fiscal year.