Long Island - Residential
Solar Pioneer Program

Incentive Type: Utility Rebate Program

Eligible Technologies: Photovoltaics

Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Residential

Rebate: $5/watt for first 500 kW installed; $4.50/watt for next 1 MW installed capacity

Terms: up to 10 kW

Effective Date: 1999

LIPA launched its Solar Pioneer Program to encourage the use of clean solar energy among Long Island homeowners and businesses and to help make the installation of a PV system more affordable. The Solar Pioneer Program, a five-year initiative that is part of LIPA's $32 million commitment to developing clean energy alternatives.

LIPA's Solar Pioneer Program offers you, direct incentives of $5 per watt towards the installation of a PV system up to 10kW, or a maximum rebate of $50,000.

In addition, you can take advantage of:

Net Metering. Homeowners can use solar power to run their LIPA meter backwards and sell excess energy production back to LIPA
New York State's 25% tax credit towards the total cost of a PV
system, with a maximum credit of $3,750. If your tax credit is
greater than the amount of tax you owe New York State, the balance will not be refunded to you. However, any credit amount in excess of the tax due can be carried over for a maximum of up to five years.

A 15-year real property tax exemption through New York State's Real Property Tax Law for solar systems installed in New York State.

The following is an example of what a 3 kW PV system would cost:

Homeowners also can take advantage of 1998 legislation that allows New York State taxpayers to claim a state income tax credit of 25% of their net cost on the PV system, up to a maximum credit of $3,750. The LIPA Solar Pioneer program's rebate, combined with New York State's Solar Tax Credit and Net Metering Law, is making the installation of PV systems on Long Island among the most affordable in the country.

LIPA Residential Solar Pioneer Rebate Program Application Form