If you are a resident of Wyoming and want to make energy efficiency improvements in your home or install a solar energy system, there are financial incentives to help offset part of the cost. Wyoming offers grants to residents who install solar photovoltaic systems or photovoltaic hybrid systems, utility companies offer rebates on energy efficient water heaters and heat pumps, and residents who generate their own electricity can get credits on their electric bills through net metering.
Residential Photovoltaic Incentive Program
Wyoming’s Residential Photovoltaic Incentive Program, funded and administered by the Wyoming Business Council, provides grants of 50% of the cost of installing a solar photovoltaic or photovoltaic hybrid system, up to a maximum grant of $3,000. These systems can be on or off the grid.
According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp; Efficiency, the program is funded with $75,000 per year. Applications are accepted in June each year and grants are awarded to up to 25 projects. If more than 25 applications are received a random drawing is held to determine which applicants will receive grants.
You can download the application form from the Wyoming Business Council website at www.wyomingbusiness.org under Business Assistance – State Energy Program – Residential Phtovoltaics. You will need to provide a copy of your invoice for the equipment, pictures of the installed system, and quarterly reports during the system’s first year of operation.
Net Metering
If you install a solar, wind, hydroelectric, or biomass system at home that has a capacity of up to 25 kW and is connected to the grid, you can receive credit on your electric bill for the net excess electricity you generate. According to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp; Efficiency, the excess is credited to your next bill, and at the end of the 12-month billing cycle, the balance is purchased by the utility company in Wyoming at the avoided-cost rate.
Utility company rebates
Two of Wyoming’s utility companies – Black Hills Power and Carbon Power amp; Light offer various rebates for energy efficient hot water heaters, heat pumps, and geothermal systems.
Black Hills Power
If you are a customer of Black Hills Power, you can have a Demand Controller installed in your home and receive special low electric rates. A demand controller levels out your electricity usage over periods of high and low demand. You can receive free installation in an existing home up to a $300 value, or a cash rebate of $200 when you purchase a demand controller from Black Hills Power for installation in a new home.
According to Black Hills Power, all types of permanently installed electric resistance heat installed along with a Demand Controller qualify for a rebate of $15 per kW up to a maximum rebate of $500 per customer.
Black Hills Power also offers cash rebates to its customers for the purchase of energy efficient water heaters, heat pumps, and geothermal heating and cooling equipment. The rebate is $1.00 per tank gallon for electric water heaters with a minimum capacity of 30 gallons. If you also have a Demand Controller installed along with a new electric water heater you qualify for a $100 Water Heater Bonus.
New generation electric heat pumps or geothermal systems with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 13.00 or higher qualify for a $150 rebate per ton. The maximum rebate is $600 for an air-source heat pump and $1,500 for a geothermal or water-source heat pump.
To claim a rebate from Black Hills Power you should download the Energy Efficient Electric Equipment Rebate Form from their website at www.blackhillspower.com under Products amp; Services – Cash Rebates – Customer Rebate Program, clicking on the link How to Process a Rebate. Send the completed application with a copy of your receipt to Black Hills Power at the address indicated in the instructions.
Carbon Power amp; Light
Carbon Power amp; Light collaborates with the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association to offer rebates on water heaters, and electric and geothermal heat pumps. Tri-State provides a standard rebate of $50 on energy efficient water heaters, and Carbon Power amp; Light supplements that with an additional rebate of from $1.50 to $3.00 per gallon, depending on the type of water heater.
Central, air-source heat pumps with electric resistance backup qualify for a rebate of $125 per ton of heating capacity, with no maximum. Central, air-source heat pumps with electric thermal storage or non-electric backup, and ground-source or water-source heat pumps are eligible for a rebate of $150 per ton of heating capacity, with no maximum.
Electric motors of from 10 to 200 HP are eligible for a combined rebate from Carbon Power amp; Light and the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association that ranges from $8 to $13 per HP, depending on the type and efficiency of the motor.
To claim a rebate from Carbon Power amp; Light, you will need to present a copy of your receipt, and sign an Inspection and Qualification Report, which must also be signed by an authorized employee, and the Carbon Power amp; Light Manager. A pre-inspection of your existing unit may be required before you replace it, and an inspection will need to be done of the new installation.
Sources:
Black Hills Power – Customer Rebate Program: www.blackhillspower.com
Carbon Power amp; Light – Rebates – CP L;/Tri-State Energy Efficiency Credit Program: www.carbonpower.com
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) – Wyoming Homeowner Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency: www.dsireusa.org
Wyoming Business Council – Residential Photovoltaics: www.wyomingbusiness.org
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