Production Incentives for Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Projects

Participating power distributors in TVA’s Green Power Switch Generation Partners program offer production-based incentives for solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind projects to small-commercial customers and incentives for PV projects to large commercial customers. The energy generated from participating projects will be counted toward the green power resources for TVA's green pricing program, Green Power Switch. Consumers participate as either small-commercial or commercial customers. Under the small-commercial contract, TVA will purchase the entire output of a qualifying system at $0.15 per kWh through a participating power distributor, and the consumer will receive a credit for the power generated. Under the larger commercial contract, TVA will purchase the output at $0.20 per kWh. Qualifying sources for small-commercial projects include photovoltaic and wind turbine systems with a minimum output of 500 watts AC and a maximum of 50 kW. For commercial consumers, qualifying sources are restricted to PV only. Although the maximum output for commercial generation systems remains at 50 kW, the power distributor may elect to permit larger systems with mutual agreement of TVA on a case-by-case basis. Qualifying systems must be used primarily to provide all or part of the energy needs at a particular site and must not have previously generated into the grid. Contact: Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals Office, PO Box 1010, Muscle Shoals, AL 35662; 256-386-2431; http://www.gpsgenpartners.com/

Up to $75,000 In Interest Subsidy Payments for Biomass Energy Systems
The Biomass Energy Program assists businesses in installing biomass energy systems. Program participants receive up to $75,000 in interest subsidy payments to help defray the interest expense on loans to install approved biomass projects. Technical assistance is also available through the program. Industrial, commercial, institutional facilities, and agricultural property owners are eligible. Interested parties must obtain loans from commercial lending institutions and submit repayment data to ADECA for interest payment assistance. Interest rates on loans should be no greater than 2% above the prime rate. With an initial emphasis on wood waste, the program also promotes landfill gas as a potential source of energy for industrial processes and other uses. Several landfill waste disposal facilities across Alabama have been identified as prime candidates for landfill gas recovery and utilization. Contact: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Energy, Weatherization and Technology Division, P.O. Box 5690, 401 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36103-5690; 334-242-5290; 334-242-5330; Fax: 334-242-0552; http://www.adeca.state.al.us/C16/Biomass Energy Program/default.aspx

Zero Interest Loans to $500,000 for Schools for Energy Efficient Measures
Through a private/public partnership with PowerSouth and U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) Rural Development, Alabama's Local Government Energy Loan Program offers zero-interest loans to schools in rural areas for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements that will eventually have a payback through utility savings. Under the program, qualifying schools may receive up to $350,000 per campus or $500,000 per school system for eligible projects. Eligible renewable energy resources generally include biomass, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy. Contact: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Energy, Weatherization and Technology Division, PO Box 5690, Montgomery, AL 36103-5690; 334-242-5321; Fax: 334-242-0552; http://www.adeca.alabama.gov/C3/Local Government Energy Loan P/default.aspx