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Fri, March 19, 2010
Solar Power Incentives
Emily Malik
Conservation Coordinator

(435)716-9792
emily.malik
@loganutah.org

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Solar Power Policy and Incentive Program

Solar Panels

Click on the following links for more information or click here to read more about the solar program.

 

Download the SOLAR INSTALLATION APPLICATION

 

 

Print a copy of the information about the SOLAR POWER POLICY & INCENTIVE PROGRAM

 

 

Read about Logan City's NET METERING program

 

 

Find a SOLAR DEALER, DISTRIBUTOR, OR INSTALLER IN UTAH  

or click here to see the State Energy Program's List           

 
Please note, if you are a solar dealer, installer, or distributor and would like to be included on this list, please e-mail the Conservation Cordinator.

 

For Information about State & Federal Incentive Programs, Click HERE

 

 

Solar Power Policy & Incentive Program

 

Logan City Light and Power (LCL&P) is offering a Solar Power incentive program to encourage and facilitate the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Logan City.  This incentive is intended to encourage our residential and commercial customers to install “grid-tied” solar panels and associated equipment to supply a portion of their own electricity that would otherwise be purchased from LCL&P.

 

The incentive will be available on a “first come first serve” program year basis, to customers of LCL&P. 

 

How to Apply

Applications and forms may be obtained online at the Program web site or by contacting the Conservation Coordinator at (435) 716-9792. All applications must be completed by hand and submitted by mail or fax. Receipt of the application is the responsibility of the applicant. Logan City is not responsible for lost or improperly submitted applications.

 

Program Steps:

 

                                Logan City Light and Power
                                Solar Power Incentive Program
                                450 N 1000 W
                                Logan, UT 84321

 

 

Discrepancies

If it is determined that there are differences from the Application Form and the on-site inspection, the applicant will receive a letter detailing these findings. This letter provides an opportunity for the applicant (or assigned contractor) to dispute the inspection results. After a period of 10 days, if the applicant has not responded it will be assumed the applicant has accepted the revised incentive level.

 

Changes After Application Approval

Any proposed changes to an approved application must re-submit application.   
Note: Any change resulting in an increase in the system size may not result in an increase in the incentive.

The following items must be re-submitted for change:

 

Effective Dates for the Program – Application and Notification Requirements

Funding for the Program is administered on a first come, first served basis. The effective dates of the Program and application submittal requirements are as follows:  No project installations are allowed prior to approval by LCL&P.  All applications must be received by June 1 to be eligible for the current budget year.

 

Incentives and Caps
The Program offers a cash incentive of $2.00 per watt for PV systems of LCL&P customers:  Residential 1-3 kilowatts; Commercial or Industrial 1-15 kilowatts.  Size requirements are specified per facility/campus/residence, and per meter basis for each Program year.  For example, a residential customer that has two different properties could be eligible for funding for up to a 3 kilowatt system at each property.

 

Incentives Calculation
The incentive will be calculated based upon the AC wattage (WAC) production of the PV array. The WAC is calculated using the following considerations:

 

WAC is then calculated using the following equation: WAC = PTC wattage x # of modules x Inverter efficiency.  The cash incentive is calculated using the following equation: Incentive = WAC x $2.00 per WAC

 

Customer Eligibility
Applicants must be an existing grid-connected customer of LCL&P, at the time of incentive. Customer’s account must be active and current at the site of the installation.

 

Equipment Specifications and Requirements
A complete PV system installation is defined as a having a PV array, inverter, net metering socket, grid interconnection, and AC and DC disconnects.  The equipment list for PV modules and inverters is provided by the Consumer Energy Center certified equipment lists. These lists can be found on the following web sites:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/cgi-bin/eligible_pvmodules.cgi
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/cgi-bin/eligible_inverters.cgi

 

If a product is removed from the Consumer Energy Center lists after approval of application, the product will remain eligible.

 

All equipment installed must be new to be eligible for an incentive under the LCL&P Incentive Program. This must be evident in the documentation (invoice or signed contractor proposal) required by the Program. The Net Metering Design Standards are available for download from the LCL&P web site.

 

 

Logan City building codes and inspectors will require specific inspections and submittal of plans and other information in order to issue a building permit required under this program. Building inspections and a “signed-off” building permit are required prior to final inspection by LCL&P and setting of the meter. Any inspections performed by LCL&P are not to be considered a safety inspection in lieu of inspections required by building officials.

 

Siting Requirements
Siting a PV system requires many considerations. The most prominent constraint is space and an unobstructed south facing location. Sometimes the ideal location for a system is not the best for producing the maximum output of electricity. It is encouraged to consider the importance of producing peak output during periods of utility peak loads. The three major factors in determining output amount are:

 

 

The siting of a system will be required to meet the standards set forth in this document. Finally, the location of the inverter is a factor in PV system production. Efficiency diminishes substantially when inverters are subjected to heat. It is advised to locate the inverter in a shaded northerly location or inside a garage or other structure. Direct sunlight is not advised.

 

Requirements Recommended
Wiring: No recommendations or requirements are provided. We highly recommend that the installer be familiar with NEC 690 and good installation practices. The wiring greatly contributes to the performance of a PV system. Contractors should be well versed in electrical codes and utility standards.

 

Shading: The application may be rejected if the total annual production of the PV array is reduced by more than 25% relative to an un-shaded array.  Shading plays a major role in decreasing the output of a system.  PV panels should be exposed to the sun’s rays for most or all of the day, with minimal or no shadows from trees, chimneys or cables between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. To determine actual shading effects, it is recommended to have a good understanding of the percent of shading of the location throughout the year. A contractor may use a Solar Pathfinder (or equivalent) to determine how surrounding objects affect PV output. This calculation can provide a percent reduction in output as compared to an unobstructed system in that latitude and angle of inclination and orientation.

 

Orientation:  There must be a location on the property for a system facing +/- 90° true solar South. Ideally, a system should be sited at +/-15° of true solar South.

 

Tilt:  No Requirement, but ideal tilt angles for northern Utah are between 36° and 51°

 

Inverter Location: Inverter should be installed according to manufacturer’s recommendations. It is recommended that the inverter be installed out of the sun. For low voltage (48V or less) inverters, it is recommended to minimize the distance from the PV array to the inverter.

 


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