Property Tax Exemption for Energy Conservation Improvements
Qualifying energy-conservation improvements to homes are exempt from real property taxation to the extent to the addition would increase the value of the home. The exemption includes general municipal property taxes, school district taxes, and special ad valorem taxes, but does not apply to special assessments. Eligible properties include single-family to four-family dwellings. The exemption applies directly to a variety of equipment and measures, but the statute also states that any conservation-related state or federal tax credit or deduction is also exempt from New York's property tax under this statute.  To learn more, contact:  Public Information Officer, Office of Real Property Services, 16 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12210-2714; 518-486-5446; Fax:  518-474-9276; http://www.orps.state.ny.us/assessor/manuals/vol4/part1/section4.01/sec487-a.htm

Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption
Section 487 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law provides a 15-year real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy systems constructed in New York State. As currently effective, the law is a local option exemption, meaning that local governments are permitted decide whether or not to allow it. The exemption is valid unless a government opts out of the exemption, as opposed to the more common practice of requiring governments to opt-in in order to offer an exemption.  The law intends to encourage the installation of solar, wind and farm-waste energy equipment systems and to ensure property owners that their real property taxes will not increase as a result of the installation of these systems. The amount of the exemption is equal to the increase in assessed value attributable to the solar, wind or farm-waste energy system. The exemption applies only to general municipal and school district taxes; it cannot be applied to special assessments or special ad valorem levies.  For a list of local bodies that have opted not to offer the exemption, see: http://www.orps.state.ny.us/legal/localop/487opt.htm To learn more, contact:  Public Information Officer, Office of Real Property Services, 16 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12210-2714; 518-486-5446; Fax:  518-474-9276; http://www.orps.state.ny.us/assessor/manuals/vol4/part1/section4.01/sec487.htm

Up to $600 for Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
The Cool Homes Program provides rebates for energy-efficient central air conditioning systems and air-source heat pumps. The minimum efficiency ratings for both items are SEER 14 and EER 12, which qualifies the owner for a $250 per unit rebate. However, if the units have a SEER greater than or equal to 15 and an EER greater than or equal to 12.5, the rebate amount is increased to $400 per unit and to $600 per unit for systems with a minimum SEER of 16 and a minimum EER of 13. The units must be installed by a participating Cool Homes Contractor:  http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/coolhomes.contractors.html  Contact:  Customer Service, Long Island Power Authority, 131 South Hoffman Lane, Suite 100, Islandia, NY 11749; 800-692-2626; http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/coolhomes.html
Application:  http://www.lipower.org/pdfs/cei/coolhomes_rebates.pdf

$1,000 for Geothermal Heat Pumps
The Geothermal Energy Wise Program provides rebates for new and replacement geothermal heat pumps. Rebate amounts range from $200 to $1,000 per unit depending on the efficiency rating and whether the unit is new or replacing an existing geothermal system.  For more details, contact:  Customer Service, Long Island Power Authority, 131 South Hoffman Lane, Suite 100, Islandia, NY 11749; 800-692-2626; http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/geothermal.home.html
Application: http://www.lipower.org/pdfs/cei/resi_geotherm08.pdf

$$ Cash Back for Energy Upgraded Appliances
Long Island Power Authority offers incentives for its residential customers to increase the energy efficiency of their homes through a variety of programs.  Prescriptive rebates are available for certain lighting applications, clothes washers, and dehumidifiers. The latter two are mail-in rebates while the former is an in store rebate available at participating retail establishments. Here is an example of the rebate amounts:  clothes washer - $50; dehumidifier - $10; cold cathode lights - $2.00 per pack; specialty compact fluorescents (CFLs) - $2.00 per pack; and high heat reflector lamp - $2.50 per pack.  For more information, contact:  Customer Service, Long Island Power Authority, 131 South Hoffman Lane, Suite 100, Islandia, NY 11749; 800-692-2626; http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/lighting.html
Application: Individual rebate applications for each incentive are available on the above website.

Cash Incentives for Solar System Installations
The Solar Pioneer Program offers rebates that are approximately 50% of the costs for a PV system. LIPA grid connected customers are eligible for a rebate.  Currently, LIPA offers rebates for (PV) system installations of $3.50 per watt (DC) for residential and commercial customers. LIPA also offers additional rebates of $1 per watt above the current rebate levels ($4.50/watt total) for school, not for profit, and government facilities to help compensate for tax incentives available to residential and commercial customers. The maximum eligible system size is 10 kW.  To learn more, contact:  Customer Service, Long Island Power Authority, 333 Earle Ovington Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11553; 800-692-2626; http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/solar.html
Application:  http://www.lipower.org/efficiency/solar.forms.html

$1,000 Rebates for Energy Saving Boilers & Furnaces
National Grid's High Efficiency Heating Rebates are offered to any residential heating customer in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Metro New York. Eligible technologies include boilers and furnaces. Rebates of up to $1,000 are available, depending on equipment type. All equipment must meet certain energy standards.  Find out more by contacting:  National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

$$ Rebates to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
National Grid offers $10 rebates to residential heating customers for every ENERGY STAR replacement window with a U-factor of .35 or less installed in their home, and $50 rebates are available for the purchase and installation of programmable thermostats.  In addition, National Grid offers a rebate of up to $300 for energy efficient on-demand tankless water heaters and high efficiency in-direct water heaters.  Learn more by contacting:  National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

$750 to Weatherize Your Home
National Grid Residential Weatherization Program is for heating customers in New England. The program provides a rebate covering 20% of the cost, up to $750, for various weatherization measures, including: attic, wall, basement, crawl space, rim joist, and heating system duct insulation; attic ventilation; and air infiltration and ductwork leakage testing and sealing. Work must be completed by a National Grid approved contractor.  To learn more, contact:  National Grid Energy Efficiency; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

$1,500 for Solar Thermal System Technologies
National Grid provides funding support to residential, commercial, industrial, and multifamily customers who install solar thermal technologies. Recommended solar thermal applications include solar hot water heating, solar pool heating, and in some cases solar space heating or high temperature process applications.
*    Residential customers:  You can apply for a rebate of 15% off project costs up to a maximum of rebate of $1,500 for solar water heating systems. This rebate requires that participating customers share their water heating usage data for a period of 12 months in order to receive funding.
*    Commercial and Industrial and Multi-Family customers:  National Grid requires a free energy audit to interested participants to identify appropriate solar thermal technologies as well as estimated natural gas savings. Commercial, industrial, and multi-family customers receive a one-time rebate of $3 per therm of estimated first-year savings, up to 50% of the project costs or $100,000 per project. To learn more, contact:  General Information, Solar Thermal, National Grid; 800-292-2032; http://www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com/

$62,500 in Property Tax Abatements for Installing PV Systems
The State of New York enacted allows property tax abatements for photovoltaic (PV) system expenditures made on buildings located in cities with a population of 1 million or more people. Eligible buildings include all real property except utility real property.  The abatement allows building owners to deduct from their total real property taxes a portion of the expenditures associated with installing a PV system on an eligible building. The maximum abatement during a year is $62,500 or the amount of real property taxes owed during the year. Unused balances may not be carried forward to subsequent years. Eligible expenditures include reasonable expenditures for materials and labor associated with planning, designing, and installing the system.  Contact:  Customer Assistance, New York City Department of Finance, Property Taxes, P.O. Box 32, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008-0032; 212-504-4080; http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/home/home.shtml and http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11202&sh=t

$1.0 Million Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity Rebate
The Anaerobic Digester Gas-to-Electricity program is designed to support smaller sized electricity generation where the energy generated is used primarily at the electric customer's location. Eligibility is generally limited to customers that pay the RPS surcharge on their electric bills. Incentives are limited to $1 million per Anaerobic Digester Gas (ADG) system. Incentive payments are available for both new installations and for the installation of new equipment on existing facilities.  Here are the two incentive options:
*   Capacity Incentive:  This incentive is available only for equipment installed on or after Feb. 12, 2007 and valued at $500/KW. Eligible equipment includes controls, meters, biogas clean-up equipment, emissions control equipment, interconnection equipment, and costs associated with engineering services. The capacity incentive is capped at $350,000 or 50% of new equipment costs, whichever is less.
*   Production Incentive:  Performance incentives are offered for verified ADG-fueled electricity generation, and may be provided for up to three years. The incentive for electricity generated by equipment installed on or after Feb. 12, 2007 is valued at $0.10/kWh. For systems installed or substantially upgraded on or after Jan. 1, 2003, but before Feb. 12, 2007, a Maintenance incentive payment of $0.02 kWh is available. To learn more, contact:  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 518-862-1090, ext. 3301; http://www.nyserda.org/funding/funding.asp?i=2

Up to $4.0 Million for Energy Projects
The Distributed Generation as Combined Heat and Power (DG-CHP) program is a multi-faceted initiative designed to support the advancement of DG-CHP technology within the state.  The available incentives are broken down into three unique categories in accordance with these goals.  
*    Category A: Demonstration - Category A projects at single sites are eligible for grants up to the lesser of 30% of project costs or $2 million. Category A-1 projects are multiple site projects where the where the sites have similar electrical and thermal load, and are under common ownership. These projects are eligible for a maximum award of $4 million. However, an additional cost share of up to 20% (for a total of 50%) may be provided for both types under certain circumstances.
*    Category B: Recommissioning Studies - This category will provide the lesser of $75,000 or 50% of the cost of recommissioning studies of existing DG-CHP systems for the purpose of identifying cost-effective changes that would increase the value of the system. To be eligible, a DG-CHP system must have received assistance under a previous NYSERDA demonstration program, have been put into service prior to June 1, 2005, and be presently operational or be able to be rendered operational with minimum effort.
*    Category C: Technology Transfer Studies - Proposals for technology transfer studies designed to broaden the market penetration of DG-CHP systems are eligible to receive funding up to the lesser of $100,000 or 75% of total costs. In general, proposers must be able to demonstrate that their study can build upon or be integrated into other NYSERDA DG-CHP efforts. Studies proposing to examine completed or ongoing efforts from outside of New York must emphasize a New York focus lacking in the original study. All studies must be completed within two years of the NYSERDA award notification.
Further information on this program, including additional eligibility details, applications and informational workshop dates, see:  http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/1241pon.asp or contact:  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 518-862-1090, ext. 3269 or 866-697-3732; Fax:  518-862-1091; http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/funding.asp?i=2

FREE Energy Efficient Home Improvements
The focus of EmPower New York is on cost-effective electric reduction measures, particularly lighting and refrigerator replacements, as well as other cost-effective home performance strategies such as insulation, and health and safety measures.  In order to qualify for electric efficiency incentives, customers must live in a building with 100 or fewer units, and either participate in a utility assistance program or have a income at 60% or less of the median income. Income-qualified natural gas customers of Con Edison and National Grid residing in 1-4 family homes are eligible for additional gas efficiency incentives. Eligible measures may include building insulation, heating system upgrades, draft reduction, and fuel conversion for certain appliances.  Participants must be electric customers of one of the following utilities to be eligible for this program: Central Hudson, Con Edison, National Grid, NYSEG, Orange & Rockland, or Rochester Gas and Electric. There is no cost to the customer for these efficiency improvements. In rental situations, certain measures that directly benefit the eligible tenant are eligible without a landlord contribution. Additional measures generally require a 25% landlord contribution. Contact: EmPower New York, Honeywell International, P.O. Box 2489, Syracuse, NY 13220; 800-263-0960; http://www.getenergysmart.org/LowIncome/EmPower.aspx

$2.5 Million Low-Interest Loans for Energy Efficient Projects
The New York Energy $mart Loan Fund provides reduced-interest rate loans through participating lenders to finance renovation or construction projects that improve a facility's energy efficiency or incorporate renewable energy systems. Any commercial, industrial, retail, agricultural, non-profit, residential, or multi-family facility that is an electric distribution customer of one of the State's six investor-owned utilities is eligible for this interest rate reduction program.  All facilities excluding one- to four-family homes may also qualify for Green Building Improvement, up to $500,000. To be eligible for a loan for Green Building Improvements, the borrower must provide evidence that the building has been registered for LEED certification with the United State Green Building Council. All existing multi-family buildings must have received technical assistance through the NYSERDA Multi-family Performance Program or another NYSERDA offered technical assistance program or solicitation.  For grid-connected photovoltaic and wind turbine systems, a customer must first be approved to receive incentives through NYSERDA's Powernaturally program (http://www.powernaturally.org/). Once a customer has been approved to receive these incentives, they may then apply to the Loan Fund for a low-interest loan for their out-of-pocket expenses. Wind and photovoltaic (PV) systems are included as eligible measures for all customer classes.  Contact:  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 518-862-1090, ext. 3412 or 866-697-3732; Fax:  518-862-1091; http://www.nyserda.org/loanfund/

Up to $1.0 Million Fuel Cell Rebate and Performance Incentive
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority offers incentives for the purchase, installation, and operation of customer sited tier fuel cell systems used for electricity production. Because such systems will help fulfill the CST component of the state RPS requirement, eligibility for incentives is generally limited to customers who pay the RPS surcharge on their electricity bills. There are no minimum or maximum size limits for projects, though incentives will generally be granted only for installed capacity not exceeding the customer's electrical load.  Incentive levels and limitations vary by system size, customer sector, and system performance. Bonus capacity incentives are available for projects that provide secure/standalone capability at sites of Essential Public Services (e.g., police stations, hospitals, public utilities). Performance incentives can be received for up to 3 years at different levels ($/kWh) depending on the system capacity factor. The total value of incentives is capped at $50,000 for systems smaller than 25 kilowatts (kW) and at $1 million for larger systems.  For more details, contact:  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 518-862-1090, ext. 3208 or 866-697-3732; Fax:  518-862-1091; http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1150pon.asp

$20,000 Loans for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Projects
NYSERDA offers an unsecured loan for the installation of qualified energy efficient and renewable energy measures in owner-occupied 1-2 family homes.  To initiate the loan, a Comprehensive Home Assessment (CHA) must be performed by a certified Building Performance Institute (BPI) contractor, which may cost a small fee. After the CHA is performed, the borrower will work with the contractor to decide what improvements should be made.  The loan amount can be for up to 100% in costs; for a total of $2,500 to $20,000.  For more information, contact: Public Information Officer, Energy Finance Solutions, 431 Charmany Drive, Madison, WI 53719; 800-361-5663 or 800-969-9322; Fax:  608-249-5788; http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner/Financing.aspx#

$150,000 Incentives for Small Wind Systems
The NYSERDA provides incentives for eligible small wind systems. Incentive payments are not paid directly to the owner of the wind system. Instead, they are paid to eligible installers that have been approved to participate in this program, but the entire incentive must be passed on to the owner of the wind system by the eligible installer.  NYSERDA has identified a total of 29 wind system models made by 12 different manufacturers as being eligible for the incentive. The eligible models range in size from 800 W to 250 kW. Each model is eligible for a different base incentive which can be increased or decreased depending on the height of the tower used for the system.  A total of $150,000 is available per site.  To learn more, contact:  Public Information Specialist, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 866-697-3732 or 518-862-1090; Fax:  518-862-1091; http://www.powernaturally.com/Programs/Wind/incentives.asp?i=8

$$ Cash Incentives for PV Systems
NYSERDA provides incentives of $3 to $5 per watt (DC) to eligible installers for the installation of approved, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. The maximum capacity supported by the program is 50 kW for non-residential systems and 10 kW for residential systems. Larger systems are permitted, but incentives are based on these capacity caps. Incentives are only available to eligible installers, and incentives must be passed on to customers. PV incentives are available for many end-uses (building or non-building) and sectors, including the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, educational and non-for-profit facilities, and government sectors.  To learn more, contact:  Public Information Specialist, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 866-697-3732 or 518-862-1090; Fax: 518-862-1091; http://www.powernaturally.org/Programs/Solar/incentives.asp

Discount on Permit Fees for Solar Panel Installations
The Town of Riverhead on Long Island has made a special allowance in its building permit fee structure to provide a discount to people wishing to install energy conservation devices on residential or commercial buildings. The provision in the town code applies to any energy conservation device, but explicitly mentions solar panels as eligible for favorable treatment. Those wishing to install such devices now pay a flat permitting fee of $150, whereas prior to the code revision permitting fees for solar panel installations often approached $1,000. Contact: Building Department Administrator, Town of Riverhead, 201 Howell Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901; 631-727-3200, ext. 264; http://www.riverheadli.com/building.html

$5,000 Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
The Solar and Fuel Cell personal income tax credit originally applies to solar-electric (PV) equipment as well as solar-thermal equipment used on residential property. The credit is capped at $3,750 for solar-energy systems placed in service before September 1, 2006, and capped at $5,000 for solar-energy systems placed in service on or after September 1, 2006.  In addition, fuel cells installed at a principal residence are eligible for a 20% tax credit, with a maximum credit of $1,500. To qualify, fuel cells must provide a maximum rated baseload capacity of 25 kW and must utilize proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology.  Any amount of credit that exceeds a taxpayer's liability in a given tax year may be carried forward for the five following taxable years.  For more information, contact:  Taxpayer Assistance, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Taxpayer Assistance Bureau, W.A. Harriman Campus, Albany, NY 12227; 800-225-5829; http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/NY03F.htm and http://www.tax.state.ny.us/

Solar Sales Tax Exemption
New York exempts the sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state's sales and compensating use taxes. The exemption applies to solar-energy systems that utilize solar radiation to produce energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water and/or electricity. The exemption does not apply to solar pool heating or other recreational applications.  To learn more, contact:  Taxpayer Assistance, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Taxpayer Assistance Bureau, W.A. Harriman Campus, Albany, NY 12227; 800-225-5829; http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/NY24F.htm and http://www.tax.state.ny.us/

$2 Million Tax Credit for Green Buildings
The Green Building Tax Credit for business and personal income taxpayers can be applied against corporate taxes, personal income, insurance corporation taxes and banking corporation taxes. The incentive applies to owners and tenants of eligible buildings and tenant spaces which meet certain green standards. These standards increase energy efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and reduce the environmental impacts of large commercial and residential buildings in New York State, among other benefits.  There is a maximum incentive of $2 million per building.  For more information, contact:  Public Information Officer, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1750; 518-402-9167; Fax:  518-402-9168; http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/1540.html

$10,000 Loans for Energy Efficient Improvements
The Assisted Home Performance Program provides grants to low-income homeowners for up to 50% of costs for energy efficient improvements. Single-family homeowners that meet the income eligibility guidelines qualify for grants of up to $5,000. An income qualified owner that occupies a unit in a 2-4 unit building can receive a subsidy of up to $5,000 for the whole building without any income verification required for the tenants. A higher subsidy, up to a total of $10,000 per building, may be available if tenants also are income eligible. The remaining costs of installation and purchase can be covered by one of the NYSERDA Home Performance with Energy Star or the Energy $mart Loan Fund. For more details on this program, contact:  Public Assistance, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399; 518-862-1090 or 866-697-3732; Fax: 518-862-1091; http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner/LowIncomeEligible.aspx

$$ Incentives for Builders to Improve Energy Efficiency
Under NYSERDA's Energy $mart Multifamily Performance Program, new construction of multi-family buildings and existing multi-family buildings are eligible for incentives that improve energy savings through energy efficiency or innovative energy solutions, such as renewable energies. Through this program, interested building owners work with a Multifamily Performance Partner. Additional incentives are available for projects that serve or are expected to serve low-income tenants, as well as income qualified housing that meets certain sustainability guidelines.  To be eligible for affordable housing incentives, the building owner must demonstrate that the property is publicly-subsidized or that at least 25% of residents receive public assistance or earn below 80% of the State Median Income.  Eligible buildings must have five or more units regardless of the number of stories. Buildings may contain nonresidential-related commercial space, if that space does not consist of more than 50% of the gross heated square footage of the entire project.  For more information, contact:  Energy $mart Multifamily Performance Program - Existing Buildings, TRC Energy Services, 10 Maxwell Drive, Suite 200, Clifton park , NY 12065; 877-697-6278 or Energy $mart Multifamily Building Performance - New Construction, TRC Energy Services, 1430 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York , NY 10018; 877-697-6278; http://getenergysmart.org/MultiFamilyHomes/Default.aspx