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Public Law
123rd Legislature
First Regular Session
Chapter 29
S.P. 42 - L.D. 134
An Act To Encourage the Use of Solar Energy
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§2,  as reallocated by RR 2005, c. 1, §17, is amended to read:
 
2. Solar energy rebate program.   To the extent that funds are available in the fund established in subsection 3, an owner or tenant of residential or commercial property located in the State is entitled to a rebate for a qualified solar energy system that is installed in accordance with this subsection after July 1, 2005 that will be connected to the electrical grid. The commission shall set rebate levels for qualified solar energy systems. In setting rebate levels, the commission may consider market demand for qualified solar energy systems, program implementation experience and other factors relevant to the solar energy rebate program.
 
A. ATo qualify for a rebate, a solar photovoltaic system qualifies for a rebate of $3 per watt on the first 2,000 watts of installed capacity and $1 per watt for the next 1,000 watts ifmust meet the following installation requirements:
 
(1) For a system installed after July 1, 2005 but before January 1, 2007, the system ismust be installed by a master electrician who has completed a training course to prepare for certification by a North American board of certified energy practitioners or by a master electrician working in conjunction with either a person who has been certified by a North American board of certified energy practitioners or a person who has completed a training course to prepare for certification by a North American board of certified energy practitioners; or
 
(2) For a system installed on or after January 1, 2007, the system ismust be installed by a master electrician who has been certified by a North American board of certified energy practitioners or by a master electrician working in conjunction with a person who has been certified by a North American board of certified energy practitioners.
 
B. ATo qualify for a rebate, a solar thermal system designed to heat water qualifies for a rebate of 25% of the cost of the system, including installation, or $1,250, whichever is less, if the system ismust be installed by a licensed plumber who has been certified by the commission to install such systems or by a licensed plumber working in conjunction with a person who has been certified by the commission to install such systems.
 
C.   A solar thermal system designed to heat air qualifies for a rebate of 25% of the cost of the system, including installation, or $1,250, whichever is less. 
 
In the case of a newly constructed residence, the rebate must be available to the original owner or occupant.
 
Effective September 20, 2007