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NY installers invited to join $25m solar heating program

SunMaxx Solar, the New York State-based solar thermal manufacturer of the TitanPower Plus system, said the incentives program would be "an excellent first step" to creating a robust solar thermal market in the state

Solar installers in New York State are being invited to become part of the state’s $25 million financial incentive program for solar hot water systems.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) opened its doors for applications for qualified solar companies to become eligible installers under the Solar Thermal Incentive Program, known as PON 2149.

Initial applications are being accepted through December 31, 2010, but installers will be able to apply for eligibility at any time while the program is running.

The program does offer alternatives to NABCEP certification for installers to demonstrate their qualifications to become eligible, although will have to be NABCEP-certified by June 30, 2012, to remain eligible.

Once an eligible installer on the program, installers will be able to apply for up to $4,000 to support each residential solar heating project, and up to $25,000 for a commercial sector solar heating project.

Funding for the program was allocated by the New York State Public Service Commission from the state’s Renewable Portfolio Program. It aims to support installation of 45.54MW of solar heating capacity in the state by 2015.

First come, first served

Incentives will be provided on a first come, first served basis up to the end of December 2015 or until funds are depleted. Depending on how the program progresses, NYSERDA said it could set a per-month limit on applications for incentives.

NYSERDA said it expected on average that financial incentives from the program would cover 15-20% of project costs for solar thermal systems.

Ithaca-based solar thermal system manufacturer SunMaxx Solar said the state’s first solar thermal incentives program was an “excellent first step” in creating a robust solar thermal market place in New York State.

In a statement, the company said: “We were pleased to see that PON 2149 recognizes many of the concerns expressed by NYSEIA and provides that individual incentives will start at a rate of $1.50 per kWh (or mmBtu equivalent for Non- RPS funding based on estimated displaced electrical usage).

“While these incentive levels may be adjusted as necessary in order to meet the program goals, they are an excellent first step in creating a robust solar thermal marketplace in New York State,” added the company.

Separately, SunMaxx Solar has now received a new Solar Rating and OG-100 certification for its TitanPower Plus-SU2 2.4 flate plate collector. The collector uses a high-density copper absorber and titanium oxide coating that the manufacturer said could deliver “an astounding 81% efficiency” based on absorber area.