Up to $37,500 for Solar Electric Systems
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) offers its customers a rebate of $1.50 per watt to install solar-electric systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The maximum rebate is $7,500 for residential customers and $37,500 for commercial customers. GRU will perform a pre-inspection of the applicant's site; results of the pre-inspection will determine rebate eligibility. The final rebate level will be determined following verification of the installed system by a GRU solar field inspector. The rebate only applies to locations within the GRU electric service territory.  For more details on this program, contact: Conservation Services Department, PO Box 147117, Station A114, Gainesville, FL 32614; 352-393-1460; http://www.gru.com/YourHome/Conservation/Energy/Rebates/solarElectric.jsp
Application:  http://www.gru.com/Pdf/YourHome/Rebates/Solar%20PV%20Survey%20Request.pdf and http://www.gru.com/Pdf/YourHome/Rebates/PVrebateform.pdf

$5,000 for Energy Efficient Hot Water Heaters
The JEA Solar Incentive Program provides financial incentives to JEA's residential and commercial customers who install new and retrofit solar hot water heaters on homes and businesses. The highest rebates are available when customers use local installers as outlined below. There is a maximum award of $5,000 for each new commercial installation ($800 for residential installation) and up to 30% of total cost (up to $500) to restore an existing solar water heating system to working order.  More details on these incentives are available by contacting:  JEA, Director, Environmental Programs, 21 W. Church St., Jacksonville, FL 32202; 904-665-8729; http://www.jea.com/community/conservcenter/business/solar.asp

Free Power Rinser Saves Florida Restaurants $1,300/Yr.
Save money and water with a new high-efficiency, stainless steel Power Rinser. UCNSB offers a FREE Power Rinser from Niagara Conservation so that you can save up to 80% on your water consumption without noticing a change in your sprayer's water pressure or flow. Equipped with a 5-year warranty, the Power Rinser is interchangeable with all brands.  Contact:  New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission, P.O. Box 100, 200 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0100; 386-424-3067; http://www.ucnsb.org/conservation-water.aspx

Up to $100,000 in Solar Energy Incentives
The Solar Energy System Incentives Program provides financial incentives for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems from July 1, 2006, through June 20, 2010.  The program provides rebates to Florida residents, businesses, non-profits and public facilities that purchase and install new photovoltaic (PV) systems two kilowatts (kW) or larger in capacity, solar water heating systems that provide at least 50% of a building's hot water consumption, and a solar thermal pool heaters.  Incentive amounts range from $100 up to $100,000.  Applications for the rebate must be submitted within 120 days of the purchase of the solar energy equipment.  Contact:  Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Energy Office, 2600 Blairstone Road MS #19, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400; 850-245-5993; http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/solar.htm
 

$5 Million Tax Credit for Renewable Energy Businesses
A renewable energy production tax credit was established in Florida (SB 888) to encourage the development and expansion of renewable energy facilities in the state. This annual corporate tax credit is equal to $0.01/kWh of electricity produced and sold by the taxpayer to an unrelated party during a given tax year. For new facilities (placed in service after May 1, 2006) the credit is based on the sale of the facility's entire electrical production. For an expanded facility, the credit is based on the increases in the facility's electrical production that are achieved after May 1, 2006.  The combined total amount of tax credits which may be granted for all taxpayers under this program is limited to $5 million per state fiscal year. If the amount of credits applied for each year exceeds $5 million, the DOR will award a prorated amount based on each applicant's increased production and sales.  To find out more, contact:  Taxpayer Services, Florida Department of Revenue, 1379 Blountstown Hwy., Tallahassee, FL 32304-2716; 800-352-3671 or 850-488-6800; http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/incentives.htm
Application:  http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/forms/2008/f1193.pdf

Renewable Energy Technologies Investment Tax Credit
A corporate tax credit was established in Florida (SB 888) to promote investment in 1) hydrogen-powered vehicles and hydrogen vehicle fueling stations; 2) commercial stationary hydrogen fuel cells; and 3) production, storage, and distribution of biodiesel and ethanol.  The tax credit amount for each technology is as follows: 
• Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles and Hydrogen Vehicle Fueling Station: 75% of all capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, and research and development costs, up to a limit of $ 3 million per state fiscal year for all taxpayers, in connection with an investment in hydrogen-powered vehicles and hydrogen vehicle fueling stations in the state, including, but not limited to, the costs of constructing, installing, and equipping such technologies in the state. 
• Commercial Stationary Hydrogen Fuel Cells: 75% of all capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, and research and development costs, up to a limit of $ 1.5 million per state fiscal year for all taxpayers, and limited to a maximum of $ 12,000 per fuel cell, in connection with an investment in commercial stationary hydrogen fuel cells in the state, including, but not limited to, the costs of constructing, installing, and equipping such technologies in the state. 
• Biodiesel and Ethanol Production, Storage, and Distribution: 75% of all capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, and research and development costs, up to a limit of $ 6.5 million per state fiscal year for all taxpayers, in connection with an investment in the production, storage, and distribution of biodiesel (B10-B100) and ethanol (E10-E100) in the state, including the costs of constructing, installing, and equipping such technologies in the state. Gasoline fueling station pump retrofits for ethanol (E10-E100) distribution also qualify as an eligible cost.
This legislation also created a a sales tax refund for products relating to hydrogen-powered vehicles, commercial stationary hydrogen fuel cells, and materials used in distributing biodiesel and ethanol.  To find out more, contact:  Taxpayer Services, Florida Department of Revenue, 1379 Blountstown Hwy., Tallahassee, FL 32304-2716; 800-352-3671 or 850-488-6800; http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/incentives.htm

Faster Permitting Process for Green Projects

In an effort to promote environmentally sensitive design and construction, the Miami-Dade County Commissioners passed an ordinance to expedite the permitting process for green buildings certified by a recognized environmental rating agency. Commercial, industrial, and residential projects are all eligible as long as they are located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County and the City of West Miami. See the Miami-Dade County Building Department website for additional information: http://www.miamidade.gov/building/home.asp or contact:  Miami-Dade Permitting and Inspection Center, 11805 SW 26 Street (Coral Way), Miami, FL 33175-2474; 786-315-2000

$9,000 to Create New Jobs in the Energy Industry

The Targeted Jobs Incentive Fund (TJIF) provides financial incentives for select industries, including Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Manufacturing, Installation and Repair Companies, wishing to relocate or expand within Miami-Dade County. To be eligible, companies relocating to Miami-Dade County must create at least 10 new jobs, and expanding companies must create either at least 5 new jobs or at least 10% of the company's work force at the time of application, whichever is greater. Miami-Dade County will provide a qualifying Company up to $9,000.00 per new job in TJIF incentives as follows: 
• Up to $3,000 for each new job.
• Up to $1,500 bonus for each new job if the Company is located in a Designated Priority Area.
• Up to $1,500 bonus for each new job if the employee resides in a Designated Priority Area.
• Up to $1,500 bonus for companies that operate their businesses out of buildings or facilities that qualify as "green construction" and/or that incorporates alternative energy systems; and an additional bonus of up to $500 if the Company operates its business in a building or facility which incorporates solar thermal, photovoltaic, fuel cell, and/or co-generating energy generation. The alternative energy systems, with the exception of solar thermal, must be grid interconnected to the local utility to qualify. 
• Up to $1,500 bonus, if the company is in the business of Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Manufacturing, Installation and Repair.
Other qualification criteria must be met.  For more information, contact:  The Beacon Council, 80 Southwest Eighth Street, Suite 2400, Miami, FL 33130; 305-579-1300; http://www.beaconcouncil.com/Web/Default.aspx

$200 to Make Your Hot Water More Energy Efficient
Orange County offers a $200 rebate on newly installed solar hot water systems in the county. To be eligible for the rebate, the system owner must complete an application and provide proof of an energy audit, installation date and receipt of a solar hot water rebate from the utility. Only new systems, installed on or after April 22, 2008, are eligible and the rebate application must be received within six months of installation.  For more details, contact:  Orange County Environmental Protection Division, 800 Mercy Drive, Suite 4, Orlando, FL 32808; 407-836-1400; Fax:  407-836-1499; http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/DEPT/CEsrvcs/epd/SolarWaterProgram.htm
Application:  http://www.orangecountyfl.net/NR/rdonlyres/e6crpj7cgd6fvziztldfm5o3ieefxi7lrqa25bwhv6n3xdmuksqjmoxdp3c6dpbnl6hjcllaqormoq3eoiwv6e3oehg/SolarHotWaterApp08182008.pdf

Incentives to Produce Solar Energy
The Pilot Solar Program offers to purchase the environmental attributes or renewable energy credits (RECs) from customers who install a photovoltaic (PV) and/or solar thermal energy system on their property. Incentive payments are equal to $0.05/kWh for PV and $0.03/kWh for solar water heating (SWH) systems and appear in the form of a credit on customers’ monthly utility bills.  To learn more, contact:  Orlando Utilities Commission, 500 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801; 407-423-9100, ext. 2086; Fax:  407-423-9198; http://www.ouc.com/green/solar_pilots.htm
Application:  http://www.ouc.com/green/Commercial%20Solar%20Information%20Packet.pdf

100% Property Tax Exemption for Energy Efficient Homes
In June 2008, Florida enacted legislation that revived a renewable energy property tax exemption that had previously expired in 1990. Under Florida law, improved real property upon which a renewable energy source device is installed and operated is entitled to an exemption in the amount of the original cost of the device, including the installation cost. The exemption does not include the cost of replacing, removing or improving existing property in the course of the installation.  To learn more, contact:  Taxpayer Services, Florida Department of Revenue, 1379 Blountstown Hwy., Tallahassee, FL 32304-2716; 800-352-3671 or 850-488-6800; http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/

No Sales Tax on Solar Energy Systems
Solar energy systems have been exempt from Florida's sales and use tax since July 1, 1997.  The exemption is available to a purchaser as a refund of previously paid taxes. An application, along with the sales invoice or other proof of purchase must be filed with the Department of Environmental Protection. This exemption for fuel cells and other equipment, machinery and materials for renewable energy technologies is effective through July 1, 2010. The exemption for solar energy systems, however, remains a permanent exemption.  Contact:  Taxpayer Services, Florida Department of Revenue, 1379 Blountstown Hwy., Tallahassee, FL 32304-2716; 800-352-3671 or 850-488-6800; http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/incentives.htm
Application:  http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/files/form_feo_06_01_nov_11_07.pdf

Grants for Renewable Energy Technologies
The Renewable Energy Technologies Grants Program was established to provide renewable energy matching grants for demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects relating to renewable energy technologies. Eligible recipients (must be in-state) include municipalities and county governments; businesses; universities and colleges; utilities; not-for-profit organizations; and other qualified entities as determined by the Department of Environmental Protection (the program administrator).  Grant amounts vary. For more details, contact:  Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Energy Office, 2600 Blairstone Road, MS #19, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400; 850-245-8002; Fax:  850-245-8003; http://www.dep.state.fl.us/energy/energyact/grants.htm

Get $450 Back to Install Solar Water Heating
The City of Tallahassee Utilities offers a $450 rebate to homeowners and homebuilders who install a solar water-heating system. This rebate may be applied to a first-time installation or to the replacement of an older solar water-heating system. Homebuilders may also apply for the rebate when installing a solar water heater on a new home.  The homeowner must allow the City of Tallahassee to conduct an energy audit on the home in order to make a preliminary assessment of sun exposure and to provide program guidance.  Contact:  City of Tallahassee Utilities, 300 South Adams St. B32, Tallahassee, FL 32301; 850-891-4968; http://www.talgov.com/you/energy/energy_programs.cfm 

Business Energy Efficiency Rebates
Florida Power and Light offers incentives for its business customers to upgrade their HVAC system, building envelope, water heating, refrigeration or lighting systems with energy-efficient equipment. The rebates vary according to system size and efficiency rating. In addition to these incentives, FPL also offers a free Business Energy Evaluation and a custom incentive that rewards energy-saving innovations that trim at least 25 kW from FPL's summer peak demand. To find out more about these incentives, contact:  Business Care Center, Florida Power and Light, FPL General Mail Facility, Miami, FL 33188-0001; 800-375-5566; http://www.fpl.com/business/savings/rebates_and_incentives.shtml

Up to $40,000 for Businesses to Use Less Energy
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) offers an incentive to its small commercial customers for upgrading the energy efficiency of their heating and cooling units and replacing their exit signs with new LED signs. Larger commercial customers building a new facility or retrofitting old equipment can also take advantage of the custom rebate program. The size of the rebate depends upon how much electricity is conserved and is limited to 50% of the project cost, or $40,000, whichever is less. GRU also offers free Smart Vendor equipment which senses when a facility is unoccupied and turns off vending machines to save energy.  Contact:  Gainesville Regional Utilities, Conservation Services Department, PO Box 147117, Station A114, Gainesville, FL 32614; 352-393-1460; http://www.gru.com/YourBusiness/Conservation/Energy/Rebates/lgBusiRebates.jsp

$$ Back for New Geothermal Heating & Cooling Systems
Gulf Power Company offers a $400/ton rebate on the installation of new geothermal heating and cooling systems for qualified customers. Eligible geothermal systems must meet the minimum Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 13.0 at 86° entering water temperature and a water flow of three gallons per minute per ton.  All participants must be willing to have an existing home energy audit or new home plan review completed to address proper HVAC sizing, proper installation and other conservation measures. Multi-family installations exceeding 50 tons and single-family installations exceeding 10 tons are subject to a cost-effectiveness analysis.   Learn more by contacting:  Gulf Power Company, Marketing Department, One Energy Place, Pensacola, FL 32520; 877-655-4001; http://www.gulfpower.com/residential/pdf/installguide.pdf

$15,000 to Weatherize Your Business’s Roof
Progress Energy Florida offers an incentive to its business customers for building envelope improvements including ceiling insulation, window film, and a variety of products and approaches meant to reduce the amount of heat transferred to and from a building through the roof. Rebates are provided to customers who install either cool roof materials, roof insulation, or green roofs. The rebates can be applied to both retrofits and new construction projects. Upon request, Progress Energy Florida will provide a free Business Energy Check to determine if the facility is eligible for the incentive. Eligible facilities will earn a per-square-foot incentive based on the type of material used. The maximum incentive for roofing materials is $15,000 and for window film/solar screens is $55 per room.  Contact:  Progress Energy Florida, Small/Medium Business Customer Service, PO Box 1551, Raleigh, NC 27602; 877-372-8477; http://progress-energy.com/custservice/flacig/efficiency/index.asp

Free Money to Improve Business Equipment Efficiency
Progress Energy Florida offers an incentive to its business customers for replacing their old equipment with high-efficiency models. Rebates are available for HVAC equipment, including heat pumps and air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, and water-cooled and air-cooled chillers. Rebates are also provided for improvements related to HVAC systems, including duct testing, demand control ventilation, high efficiency energy recovery ventilation, HVAC steam cleaning, and rooftop unit recommissioning. And rebates are also provided for efficient lighting and controls, efficient compressed air systems and efficient motors. Contact:  Progress Energy Florida, Small/Medium Business Customer Service, PO Box 1551, Raleigh, NC 27602; 877-372-8477; http://progress-energy.com/custservice/flabusiness/efficiency/efficiencyservices.asp

Businesses Cool Down with Energy Incentives
Aimed at systems under 760,000 Btu, incentives for installing new equipment that meets Tampa Electric's energy efficiency standards are approximately $30 per ton, or $0.0025 per Btu. (This program covers both direct expansion air conditioners and package terminal air conditioners.)  Tampa Electric also offers incentives to commercial customers for reducing their load during peak hours through their Commercial Load Management Program.  For more information, contact:  Tampa Electric, Energy Management Services, P.O. Box 111, Tampa, FL 33601; 813-223-0800 or 888-223-0800; http://www.tampaelectric.com/business/saveenergy/coolingrebate/

Improve Your Business’s Lighting System
Tampa Electric offers a cash rebate for commercial and industrial customers replacing their existing interior lights with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting systems. Tampa Electric will send a qualified lighting engineer to inspect the facility and make recommendations. Once installed, the facility will earn $0.15 for every watt reduced. Commercial/Industrial customers must achieve a minimum lighting reduction of 1,000 watts within conditioned spaces to be eligible.  Tampa Electric also offers incentives to businesses for reducing their load during peak hours through their Conservation Value Program.  For more information, contact:  Tampa Electric, Energy Management Services, P.O. Box 111, Tampa, FL 33601; 813-223-0800 or 888-223-0800;  http://www.tampaelectric.com/business/saveenergy/indoorlighting/