Solar Water Heater Rebate Program:
Eligibility

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligibility: Eligible solar water heating (SWH) units must be installed in an owner-occupied, single-family home, which is the Member’s primary residence. Participants must be Blue Ridge Electric (BRE) Members with good credit worthiness. Only one (1) rebate is allowed per residential account. Vacation homes and investment properties will not qualify for a rebate as a residential project. The primary function of the system is to provide domestic hot water and at least half of the energy used to heat the dwelling’s water must be from solar in order to be eligible for the rebate. The SWH system must be saving or displacing electricity. SWH systems saving or displacing other fuels are not eligible for the BRE rebate. At minimum, a SWH system must be designed for a family of four. Heating is permitted if connected to domestic hot water, but the space heating load is not eligible for an incentive in addition to the rebate.

Location of System: The SWH system must be installed on the property of a BRE Member and located in the service area of the cooperative. You must receive electric service from BRE in your home. Members must have a previously operable electric hot water heater in service in the participating residence prior to the installation of the SWH system, as certified by the Authorized Installer. The SWH system must incorporate electric water heating backup as part of the system design. Gas hot water back-up heaters do not qualify for the rebate.

Shading: The solar collectors (panels/tubes) must be at least 80% shade free as calculated from the middle of the lowest edge of the collector(s) as shown by the SWH site assessment. If the system pump(s) are powered by a photovoltaic (PV) module, there should be no shading of the PV module year round. To ensure power delivery to the DC pump corresponds with solar incidence on the thermal collectors, the PV panel must be attached to the frame of the solar hot water collectors or mounted adjacent to the collectors. Member agrees to manage trees and/or other potential shade sources in order to prevent future shading of the collector array.

Ineligible Systems: Ineligible Systems—Solar pool heating systems of all types, including spas, are ineligible for a rebate. Additional solar thermal technologies such as solar heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment are also excluded. The SWH system must be new. All solar water heating components (collectors, valves, piping, tanks, pumps, controllers, etc.) must be new and must not have been previously placed in service in any other location for any other application. Rebuilt, refurbished, or relocated equipment is not eligible for a rebate.

Assignment of Renewable Energy Credits: Member must sign an agreement, which allows BRE the rights to any Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) produced from the solar water heating unit in exchange for the rebate. By participating in this rebate program, the Member/homeowner agrees that BRE shall have the sole right to obtain and retain ownership of, and to qualify for and receive the full benefit of, any and all existing and future credits, certificates, benefits, environmental attributes, emission reductions, offsets and/or allowances, however entitled, attributable to the installation and/or operation of the eligible solar water heating system. The owner of the SWH system shall not be allowed to sell or transfer the Renewable Energy Credits/Certificates or Environmental Attributes to any other party or representative.

Member Responsibilities: Rebates are conditional on meeting all guidelines outlined in the SWH Rebate Program. The Member must correctly complete and submit an application form and agree to the terms and conditions listed in the application form. Member agrees to maintain the installed SWH system in proper working condition for a minimum period of five years. Failure to do so may constitute a repayment of a prorated portion of the rebate that shall become due and payable to Blue Ridge Electric. In addition, customer agrees to allow Blue Ridge Electric to perform SWH equipment inspection(s) upon scheduled notification.

Time Frame: The solar water heating system must have been installed and placed in service after 1/01/2007 to qualify for the rebate. For systems installed prior to 9/01/2009, the rebate application must be filed prior to 7/31/2010. For systems installed after 9/01/2009, the rebate application must be filed within 184 days (six months) of the date the system was placed in service.

Incentive Amount: The SWH rebate will not exceed $500 for single family homes. System must be checked for compliance by an authorized Blue Ridge Electric employee or designated representative before a rebate is issued. Checks are issued monthly and will be made to the BRE Member and mailed to the address of record. Please allow 2-3 weeks to process this application and schedule an appointment to request access to your property in order to perform a visual verification of you system. Permission to inspect the SWH system will be requested, advance notice will be provided, and care will be taken to minimize an inconvenience for the Member. The BRE inspection does not include any kind of safety review or code enforcement and should not be relied upon as one.

System Requirements: The solar energy system must be designed and installed to meet the “System Requirements” described in this application. You must notify BRE if there are deviations to the system requirements set forth in the System Requirements and this may result in the SWH system being ineligible for a rebate.

Authorized Installers: Members must select an approved Contractor/Installer as referenced in the List of Authorized Installers that is maintained and updated by BRE. Building permits for the installation of the thermal solar system must be obtained by the commercial contractor. No incentive will be paid for a homeowner installed or non permitted system. BRE does not make recommendations of contractors, however for informational purposes, it is suggested that you visit the website of the Installers to learn more about SWH options.

Consumer Education: Authorized Installer must provide system owner with instructions and a maintenance schedule and information about how to identify whether the system is working properly. An owner’s manual must be given to the Member in order to receive a rebate.

Tax Liability: Members who receive a rebate from BRE may be subject to tax liability for the rebate received pursuant to state or federal tax codes. BRE is not responsible for any imposed tax liability and it is the Member’s responsibility to determine applicability.

Privacy: BRE will not share your personal information with third parties for the purpose of solicitation. BRE may from time to time send surveys regarding the operation and performance of the SWH system and completion of the requested information would be greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: Acceptance of this rebate by the Member does not constitute the approval, acceptance, warranty, guarantee or endorsement of BRE. The Member understands and agrees that BRE is not a party to any contract pertaining to the SWH system installation. BRE makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the design, sizing, installation, construction, reliability, efficiency, performance, operation, maintenance, or use of any SWH system or any make or model of equipment analyzed, discussed, selected, rejected, installed or otherwise considered by the Member. Any decisions regarding the selection, design, installation, use and operation of the SWH system and equipment shall be at the sole discretion and are the sole responsibility of the Member. BRE is not liable or responsible for any act or omission of any contractor whatsoever.

Additional Terms: Blue Ridge Electric reserves the right to:

a) Inspect or monitor the system to ensure that it is consistent with rebate program guidelines.
b) Withhold the rebate until any identified problems with the solar system are resolved.
c) Alter the program at any time without notice. Check the www.blueridgeemc.com for the most current terms.
d) Change the parameters of the program to align terms and conditions that would more readily coincide with requirements of other state
and/or federal solar water heating rebates or tax credits.
e) Render the system ineligible for the rebate for failure to follow the requirements listed within the System Requirements.

Application Form

Program Description

Suggested Site Requirements and Analysis

System Requirements

Renewable Energy Certificates Assignment Agreement

Authorized Dealer List

External Links

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