Ken Jurman shares the latest incentives and policies for solar energy available in the state of Virginia. Ken Jurman is the Renewable Energy Director at the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. This presentation was given December 4, 2009 at the Solar Energy Focus Conference: Fall 2009 hosted by the Maryland, DC, Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA) in Gaithersburg, MD. To learn more please visit: www.mdvseia.camp7.org

1. Virginia Update on Solar
Energy Policies & Programs
Ken Jurman
Virginia Department of Mines,
Minerals and Energy

2. 2008 RE Legislative Activities

3. 2009 RE Legislative Activities

5. Net Metering – 2009 Update
•2000 – Net metering begins. Residential systems up to 10 kilowatts,
non-residential capped at 25 kW
•2004 - non-residential capacity raised to 500 kW
•2006 - extended eligibility to other renewable technologies and
permitted lease financing for net-metered systems
•2007 - aggregate limit on raised from 0.1% to 1% & Utility required to
purchase customer net excess at a rate approved by the Virginia State
Corporation Commission.
•2008 – SCC established buy-back rate: PJM Interconnection zonal
day-ahead annual, simple average locational marginal price.
•2009 - Utility can elect a higher capacity limits for NM facilities;
•Permits customers served on time-of-use tariffs to
participate;
•Eligible customer-generator owns the renewable energy
certificates with option to sell to utility.

6. 227 PV installations
Interconnected 20 small wind installations
872 total installed kilowatts:
Renewables
Kilowatts Installed as of October 2009
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

7. Local Option Property Tax Exemption
Allows counties and localities to exempt, or
partly exempt renewable energy system from
the property taxes paid each year.
AS OF 2009 only 19 of 130 counties and
cities allow the exemption.

8. Clean Energy Financing
Local governments authorized to establish a
loan program to provide financing for clean
energy improvements to property owners via
local ordinance.

9. Toothless in 2007: Prohibition
against covenants restricting solar
“Except to the extent provided in the
condominium instruments,
declaration, or rules and regulations
duly adopted pursuant thereto, no
community association shall
enact any provisions restricting
solar power or the use of solar
energy collection device on units
or lots that are part of the
development”

10. 2009 Amendment

11. A few teeth in 2009
Sort of…

12. The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009

13. Virginia’s $86 million
Bundle of
Joy
(and pain…)

14. $38 Million for Renewables
$10 million in Competitive Grants for Local
Government and School Facilities
$13 million in Grants for State Government
Facilities
$15 million for in Rebates for
Residential/Commercial/Nonprofits

15. $15 million for Residential, Commercial
and Nonprofit Rebates
Divided (flexibly) between solar thermal,
wind and PV.
$2.00 per watt for PV
$1.50 per watt small wind
$1.00 per watt (equivalent) solar thermal

16. PV Rebate Amounts:
Residential: 10 kW for PV and wind (based on Va.
net metering de minimis).
Commercial/Nonprofit:
$2.00/watt for 1-10 kilowatts
$1.75/watt 10-20 kW
$1.50/watt 20-30 kW
$1.25/watt 30-40 kW
$1.00/watt 40 kW up to maximum of 200 kilowatts.

17. Original Program Requirements
Solar thermal: certified to meet the Solar Ratings and
Certification Corporation’s (SRCC) OG-300
Photovoltaic/Wind: grid-interconnected and which
meet all state requirements under Virginia’s “net
metering” regulations.
Awarded first come-first served basis. Not retroactive.

18. Installer Requirements
Must be licensed contractors registered with all
relevant agencies to legally perform business in
the Commonwealth.
Must demonstrate proficiency (training,
experience, certification, etc.)
No homeowner do-it-yourself allowed

19. You win some – you lose
some…
Off-grid installations must be allowed
OG-300 out the window
Lower commercial cap
Requirement to demonstrate competency
Retroactive back to June 26, 2009
Homeowner “do-it-yourselfers” allowed

20. Do it yourself solar thermal…

21. Initial Breakdown ~$18 million
$7,000,000.00
$6,000,000.00
$5,000,000.00
$4,000,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,000,000.00
$1,000,000.00
$0.00
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22. Initial Cleaning ~ $13 million
$5,000,000.00
$4,500,000.00
$4,000,000.00
$3,500,000.00
$3,000,000.00
$2,500,000.00
$2,000,000.00
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$500,000.00
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23. Unresolved “Issues”
NEPA (“categorical exclusion” for wind < 20kW and ground-
mounted PV <60 kW)
Davis Bacon Wage Act
National Historic Preservation Act

25. Questions?