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SALT LAKE CITY -- A government program has proven so popular in the last two months that state officials are directing more money into it. And the increase of funds to the program is giving people a chance at thousands of dollars back on a project that needs to be done anyway.
One thing of plenty in Utah is sunshine; and if done correctly, the sunlight can help families cut energy costs, which is why the state of Utah is making more federal funding available to help people reduce energy costs.
The program is called the Utah Renewable Energy Rebate Program, which is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The program aims to stimulate employment in energy construction, while limiting energy consumption.
Even getting 50 percent of our power from the sun is a significant economic benefit to our family.
–Skip Flinn
When Skip Flinn started improving energy efficiency at his Summit County home, he had mixed motives: "Primarily the environment, secondarily the budget," he said.
Flinn upgraded windows and insulation, putting in new high-efficiency appliances in his home.
"You know, we've done just about everything we can to the house to reduce our carbon footprint," Flinn said. The next logical step was installing solar panels to his home, he said. "And with the sunshine we have here is Utah, it's a natural."
Since firing up his solar panels a couple of weeks ago, Flinn has already generated 151 kilowatts of electricity. "We've offset 230 pounds of carbon, which is the equivalent of planting three trees."
And there are days Flinn actually sells power back to Rocky Mountain Power because of his energy efficiency. He expects his electric bill to be cut at least in half, but solar panels are not cheap to buy and install.
- Rebate for residential PV Solar is $1.50 per DC watt with a $4,500 cap fro residential and $25,000 for commercial
- Rebate for solar thermal is $40 per square foot with a $2,500 cap
- Rebate for wind is $1 per AC watt with a $2,500 cap
- Systems will be subject to reasonable cost and 25 percent of total system coast
- Those eligible must have the systems installed by a licensed contractor
*Source: Office of Energy Development
The solar powered system Flinn installed cost $21,000, but he got a lot of help. Federal and state tax credits knocked about $8,000 off the bill. And Flinn recently found out he could get a $4,500 rebate from the Office of Energy Development.
"It's about what the average family can afford," said Jeffrey Barrett of OED. "Skip ultimately will have paid at the end of the day about $8,000 for a system that will support half of his energy needs, which is pretty remarkable."
"Even getting 50 percent of our power from the sun is a significant economic benefit to our family," Flinn said.
The rebate can also be used for wind projects. The money is actually federal funds from the job stimulus program approved in the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. The state decided where the money goes, and the energy rebates have been so popular, they decided to put in another $200,000.
Individuals looking to apply for the program can access the application at www.energy.utah.gov. Application will be accepted until all funds are reserved.
Email: hollenhorst@ksl.com
