An Act To Improve Residential Renewable Energy Use

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3218  is enacted to read:

§ 3218.  On-bill financing of certain projects

A transmission and distribution utility may provide to residential or small commercial customers on-bill financing of customer costs of installing solar energy systems in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The rules must establish standards and an approval process for the transmission and distribution utility to offer financing and must limit eligibility to solar energy systems that would qualify the customer for net energy billing under the commission's rules adopted pursuant to section 3209-A. All costs of financing must be recovered from the customer receiving the financing. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §10110-A  is enacted to read:

§ 10110-A.  Program for certain photovoltaic systems

The trust shall establish a program to provide technical and financial assistance to persons installing residential photovoltaic systems in accordance with this section. Only a residential photovoltaic system that is able to supply energy to operate a heat pump system in the residence is eligible under the program. Notwithstanding section 10110, the trust shall allocate to this program from one of the funds established pursuant to sections 10109, 10110 and 10119 at least $500,000 but no more than $1,500,000 each year. Financial assistance provided under the program may be in the form of customer rebates for the costs incurred in the installation of a residential photovoltaic system.

summary

This bill:

1. Allows a transmission and distribution utility to provide to residential or small commercial customers on-bill financing of customer costs of installing solar energy systems in accordance with rules adopted by the Public Utilities Commission; and

2. Directs the Efficiency Maine Trust to establish a program to provide technical and financial assistance to persons installing residential photovoltaic systems that can supply energy to operate heat pump systems in residences.