Property Tax Exemption for Solar Heating and Cooling Systems
Active solar heating and cooling systems may not be assessed at more than the value of a conventional system for property tax purposes. This tax exemption applies only to active solar systems including solar water heat, solar space heat and solar space cooling and does not include any land or structural elements of buildings, such as walls and roofs, or other equipment ordinarily contained in a building. Contact: Taxpayer Assistance - NC DOR, N.C. Department of Revenue, Post Office Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640; 877-252-3052; http://www.dor.state.nc.us/

Building Permit Fee Waiver for Renewable Energy Technologies
The City of Asheville waives fees for building permits and plan reviews for certain renewable energy technologies and green building certifications for homes. Waivers for building permit fees may apply to residences with the following designations: HealthyBuilt Home Certification, Energy Star Rating, geothermal heat pumps, solar-energy systems, wind turbines, storm water (gray water) collection device for reuse in yard sprinkler or elsewhere. The city will also reduce plan review fees by 50% for any building that is seeking LEED certification. Regular fees must be paid in full but will be rebated upon certification. Contact: Building Safety Department, P.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802; 828-259-5628; Fax: 828-250-8785; http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/building_safety/default.aspx?id=344&ekmensel=12_submenu_0_link_4

Loans up to $10,000 with No Money Down for Heat Pumps
Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, in collaboration with The Tennessee Valley Authority, offers low interest loans to help its residential members install new energy efficient heat pumps in their homes through their energy right Heat Pump Loan Program. Through this program, loans of up to $10,000 with terms up to 10 years are available with no money down. In order to qualify, the new heat pump must be installed by a contractor in their Quality Contractor Listing. Contact: Customer Service, Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, 1360 Main St, Young Harris, GA 30582; 706-379-3121; 828-837-1017; Fax: 706-379-4834; http://www.brmemc.com/Services/heat_pump_financing.htm

Rebates Available for Electric Water Heaters
Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, in collaboration with The Tennessee Valley Authority, offers an incentive for its residential members to build their new homes with energy efficiency in mind through their energy right Residential Program. If the home is less than a year old, and it is built to meet the energy right requirements, the homeowner may receive a $300 rebate on a 40 gallon or greater Marathon Water Heater. You may also build to energy right specifications but install a standard electric water heater, pending inspection, you may still be eligible for a rebate of $150 on a 30 gallon or greater conventional electric water heater. Contact: Customer Service, Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation, 1360 Main St, Young Harris, GA 30582; 706-379-3121; 828-837-1017; Fax: 706-379-4834; http://www.brmemc.com/Services/energy right start.htm

Low Interest Loans for Energy Efficiency Improvements To Your Home
Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation offers low interest loans to help its residential members improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The 5% interest loans can be used for a variety of improvements including an electric heat pump, caulking/weather-stripping, and more. The loans are available to homeowners served by BEMC for at least one year and who have a good credit history. Contact: Customer Service, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, PO Box 826, 795 Ocean Highway, Shallotte, NC 28459; 910-754-4391; 800-842-5871; http://www.bemc.org/bemc_programs.html

Low Interest Loans for Energy Efficiency Improvements
Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative (CCEC) offers low interest loans to help its residential members improve the energy efficiency of their homes through their Energy Conservation Loan Program. The loans have a 6% interest rate with terms up to 60 months. These loans may be used to make such improvements as installing storm windows, weather-stripping, insulation, attic ventilation fans, electric system coordinated customer-owned devices that reduce the maximum kilowatt demand on the electric system, energy-efficient water heaters and energy-efficient heat pumps. CCEC can help determine potential conservation improvements through a thorough energy audit. Contact: Customer Service, Carteret Craven Electric Cooperative, PO Box 1490, Newport, NC 28570; 252-247-3107; http://www.carteretcravenelectric.coop/Products & Services/Energy Conservation Loans.html

$400 Rebate for Heat Pumps, $150 for Water Heaters
The City of New Bern Electric Department offers rebates to its residential customers for installing new energy efficient water heaters and heat pumps. Incentive amounts are: electric heat pumps  $400 - minimum 1 ton, and electric water heaters $150 - minimum 30 gallons. Appliances must be electric and load management switches must be installed on the appliances, or the existing switch must be reconnected to the new equipment. Contact: Electric Department, City of New Bern, PO Box 1129, New Bern, NC 28563; 252-639-2837; http://www.newbern-nc.org/Elec/ad_energy_rbt.php

Rebates for Efficient Heat Pumps and Water Heaters
The City of Statesville Electric Utility Department offers rebates to its residential customers for installing new, energy efficient water heaters and heat pumps. To qualify for the heat pump rebate, customers must convert from gas or oil to a new electric heat pump, install a heat pump as part of new construction or install a heat pump for the first time in existing construction. Rebates are: electric heat pumps  $400 - between 1 and 1.5 tons, and electric water heaters $150 - minimum 30 gallons. Rebates are not paid for the replacement of an existing heat pump. Contact: City of Statesville, Electric Utility Department, PO Box 1111, Statesville, NC 28687-1111; 704-878-3573; 704-878-3583; Fax: 704-878-3514; http://www.ci.statesville.nc.us/index.php/content/?cgi-bin=0&session_id=c9d782b865c54ab96ef46c4b69020e34&id=161

5% Discount off Electric Bills
Dominion North Carolina Power offers a 5% discount on electric bills to residential customers who upgrade the efficiency of their homes. Some required improvements include: increased levels of insulation in ceilings, walls and floors; high efficiency heat pump(s) installed according to Energy Saver Home Plus guidelines; sealed ductwork; high efficiency electric water heater; sealants around windows, doors, plumbing, electric, and other areas where air leakage may occur; insulated metal doors or solid wood doors with storm doors to reduce air infiltration. Contact: Dominion North Carolina Power, Customer Service, PO Box 26666, Richmond, VA 23261; 888-667-3000; http://www.dom.com/customer/efficiency/res/ncpower.jsp

Loans up to $6000 for Energy Efficient Technologies
Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation (LREMC) offers low interest loans to help its residential members increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Loans up to $,6000 are available for the purchase and installation of: thermal windows and doors; attic ventilation fans; water heaters; foundation vents; insulation and or mastic sealing of duct work; a heat pump;  a gas pack; insulation of ceilings, walls, floors, storm doors and windows. The structure on which the improvements are to be made must be at least five years old. Contact: Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation, PO Box 830, Red Springs,, NC 28377; 910-843-4131; http://www.lumbeeriver.com/energy_services/weatherization_loan.aspx

Production Incentives for Renewable Energy
NC GreenPower, a statewide green-power program designed to encourage the use of renewable energy in North Carolina, offers production payments for grid-tied electricity generated by solar, wind, small hydro (10 megawatts or less) and biomass resources. Owners of small solar-energy systems and small wind-energy systems (10 kilowatts or less) may apply to receive program incentives at any time. The incentives, which include payments from utility power-purchase agreements, are made on a per-kWh basis and vary by technology. Contact: Public Information - NC GreenPower, NC GreenPower, 909 Capability Drive, Suite 2100, Raleigh, NC 27606-3870; 919-716-6398; 866-533-6247; http://www.ncgreenpower.org

Loan up to $5000 at 5% for Electric Heat Pump
Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation's Conservation Loan Program is available to eligible consumers to finance the purchase and installation of an energy efficient electric heat pump in their home at low interest rates. Approved consumers may borrow up to $5,000 for five years at a five percent interest rate. Contact: Customer Service, Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation, Post Office Drawer 1179, Hillsborough, NC 27278-1179; 919-732-2123; http://www.pemc.org/conservation.php

Rebates for Energy Efficient Heat Pumps
Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation offers a financial incentive for its residential members to install energy efficient heat pumps in their homes. Rebates are available to PEMC members who install an electric heat pump with a SEER of 13 or higher and have a completely electric home. The rebate equals $50 per ton, up to four tons per system. Contact: Customer Service, Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation, Post Office Drawer 1179, Hillsborough, NC 27278-1179; 919-732-2123; http://www.pemc.org/rebates.php

Loans up to $20,000 to Install Energy Saving Products
Progress Energy Carolinas provides financing to help its residential customers install energy saving products in their homes. Loans are available for up to $20,000 with up to 10 years to repay for energy efficient heating and cooling systems, storm windows and doors, insulation and other energy-saving home improvements. The loans are backed by Fannie Mae and administered through Volt VIEWtech. All work must be completed by an approved EEF contractor. Contact: Progress Energy Carolinas, Customer Service, P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, NC 27602; 800-452-2777; http://www.progress-energy.com/custservice/carres/financing/index.asp

5% Discount on Power Bills
Progress Energy Carolinas offers an incentive to its residential customers for improving the energy efficiency of their homes. To qualify the home must meet the standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star-labeled home program and be verified by a registered third party. Eligible houses will receive a 5% discount on their monthly electric bills from Progress Energy. Contact: Progress Energy Carolinas, Customer Service, P.O. Box 1551, Raleigh, NC 27602; 800-452-2777; http://www.progress-energy.com/custservice/carres/energyhome/index.asp

Property Tax Abatement
In August 2008, North Carolina enacted legislation that exempts 80% of the appraised value of a "solar energy electric system" (also known as a photovoltaic, or PV, system) from property tax. For the purposes of this assessment, the term "solar energy electric system" means "all equipment used directly and exclusively for the conversion of solar energy to electricity." This incentive is effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2008. Contact: Taxpayer Assistance - NC DOR, N.C. Department of Revenue, Post Office Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640; 877-252-3052; http://www.dor.state.nc.us

Electric Bill Discounts for Energy Efficient Homes
Randolph Electric Membership Corporation offers a special electric bill discount to its members who increase the energy efficiency of their homes through their Energy Efficient Rate Program. Members who have all-electric homes and who meet the qualifying efficiency levels are eligible for a 2% electric bill discount during the summer months (June - October), and a 6% discount during the winter months (November - May). Contact: Randolph Electric Membership Corporation, 879 McDowell Rd., PO Box 40, Asheboro, NC 27204; 336-625-5177; 800-672-8212; http://www.randolphemc.com/Products/energyefficient.html

Tax Credits up to $10,500 for Renewable Energy Systems
North Carolina offers a tax credit equal to 35% of the cost of eligible renewable energy property constructed, purchased or leased by a taxpayer and placed into service in North Carolina during the taxable year. The credit is subject to various ceilings depending on sector and the type of renewable-energy system. The following credit limits for various technologies and sectors apply: a maximum of $3,500 per dwelling unit for residential active space heating, combined active space and domestic water-heating systems, and passive space heating; a maximum of $1,400 per dwelling unit for residential solar water-heating systems, including solar pool-heating systems; a maximum of $10,500 per installation for photovoltaic systems (also known as PV systems or solar-electric systems), wind-energy systems or certain other renewable-energy systems for residential use. Contact: North Carolina Solar Center, Campus Box 7401, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7401; 919-515-3954; http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu

Sales Tax Holiday in November for approved Electric Appliances
In July 2008, North Carolina enacted legislation (H.B. 2436) establishing a "sales tax holiday" for certain Energy Star-certified products. Energy Star appliances sold between 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday of November and 11:59 p.m. on the following Sunday qualify for the sales tax exemption. The exemption is generally available for products that carry the Energy Star label including: clothes washers; freezers and refrigerators; central air conditioners and room air conditioners; air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps; ceiling fans; dehumidifiers; and programmable thermostats. Contact: Taxpayer Assistance - NC DOR, N.C. Department of Revenue, Post Office Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640; 877-252-3052; http://www.dor.state.nc.us Contact: North Carolina Solar Center, Campus Box 7401, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7401; 919-515-3954.

Loans up to $25,000 Available for Energy Efficient Home Improvements
South River EMC offers financing to its residential customers to help pay for energy efficiency improvements in their homes through their EC Home Improvement Loan Program. Loans between $1,000 and $25,000 can be awarded for HVAC improvements, as well as insulation, storm windows and doors. The loans are financed by EnerBank USA and the interest rates vary from 7.56% to 17.71%, dependent on the credit history of the customer and the amount being financed. Contact: South River EMC, PO Box 931, 17494 US 421 S, Dunn, NC 28335; 910-892-8071; 800-338-5530; http://www.sremc.com/

Loans up to $5000 for Energy Efficient Measures
Tideland Electric Membership Cooperative (TEMC) is a electric cooperative that serves customers in Craven, Dare, Washington, Pamlico, Beaufort and Hyde counties. Home  owners are able to take advantage of TEMC's Weatherization Loan Program. This loan will cover the purchase and installation of energy efficient measures such as caulking, weather-stripping, storm doors and equipment insulation. Loans of up to $3000 are available for single-family dwellings at  up to 5% interest. If a heat pump is installed, this amount may be raised to $5000. Contact: Customer Service - TEMC, Tideland EMC, P.O. Box 40, Pantego, NC 27860; 252-943-3046; 800-637-1079; Fax: 252-943-3510; http://www.tidelandemc.com/p&sincentives.htm

Loans up to $7500 for Energy Efficient Heat Pumps
Union Power Cooperative offers low interest loans to help its residential customers finance new, energy-efficient heat pumps. Interest rates, currently at 9%, will be fixed for the term of the loan. Loans can be up to $7,500 over five years. Contact: Union Power Cooperative, 1525 Rocky River Rd. N., Monroe, NC 28110; 704-289-3145; 800-922-6840; http://www.union-power.com/page.php?p=3&s=19

$500 Incentive for Solar 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 residential/small-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. Under the residential/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. Qualifying sources for residential/small-commercial projects include photovoltaic and wind turbine systems with a minimum output of 500 watts AC and a maximum of 50 kW. Until a total capacity of 150 kW has been reached, the owner of a qualifying residential system will receive a $500 payment when the site is connected to the grid. The goal for the entire program is 5 MW. The credit of $0.15/kWh is available for a minimum of 10 years from the signing of the contract, regardless of the amount produced. Contact: Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 W. Summit Hill Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902-1499; 865-632-2101; http://www.gpsgenpartners.com/