Rebates/Incentives

Qualified small wind turbines are eligible for 30% tax credit, homeowners and businesses benefit from American Recovery and Re-investment Act (2009 Stimulus Package). View Stimulus Package FAQ.

The American Recovery and Re-investment Act of 2009 improved upon the 2008 tax credit, by removing “cost caps.” This change allows consumers and small businesses to take a 30% tax credit off the installed cost of a wind turbine. To a consumer or business purchasing a single 2.4KW residential wind turbine, it will double their credit. Additionally, businesses will also have the option of receiving their credit in the form of a cash grant.

Wisconsin - Focus on Energy

Renewable Energy Cash-Back Rewards

Type State Rebate for Wind-Energy Systems 20kW or less

Amount Maximum incentive is the lesser of $35,000 or 25% costs for residential/commercial and 35% of costs for non-profits and governments. Varies by technology and type of project. $500 bonus available for Wisconsin Energy Star Homes/Home Performance participants.

Details

The current application is valid through December 31, 2009, although the program itself has no specified expiration date.

Incentive based on a combination of cost, rated capacity, and expected annual electricity production

Focus on Energy also offers a Site-Assessment Program for residents and businesses. This program provides prospective renewable-energy system owners with site-specific information on how a solar-energy or wind-energy system could meet the owner's energy needs. A site assessment is encouraged for projects seeking Cash-Back Rewards; it is required when applying for a reward for wind-energy systems. Residential and non-residential participants can receive this service for only 50% of the cost, while Focus on Energy pays the remaining 50%. Non-residential wind site assessment customers may be eligible for a 100% cost reimbursement.

Wisconsin – Focus on Energy

Renewable Energy Grant Programs

Type WI State Rebate for Wind-Energy Systems 20kW Max

Amount Varies by technology and type of project: $500 bonus available for Wisconsin Energy Star Homes/Home participants

Incentive varies by technology and type of project: $500 bonus available for Wisconsin Energy Star homes/home performance participants.

Expiration Date: 12/31/09 (current application)

Maximum incentive is the lesser of $35,000 or 25% costs for residential/commercial and 35% of costs for non-profits and governments.

Wisconsin Interconnection Standards

Distributed Generation Interconnection Procedure

Type: Interconnection

Investor owned utilities, municipal utilities

15MW

Application and study fees vary by category, but systems 20 kW and smaller are not required to pay any fees for application reviews, engineering reviews, or distribution system studies.

Wisconsin – Net Metering

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Type
Net Metering

Amount
Generally credited at retail rate for renewable and avoided-cost non-renewables.

Wisconsin Power & Light (Alliant Energy)

Photovoltaic (PV) Advanced Renewable Tariff

Type
Production Incentive

Amount
$0.12 /kWh on-peak; $.0735/kWh off-peak; no max specified

Wisconsin – Xcel Energy – Renewable Energy Buy-Back Rates

Experimental Advanced Renewable Energy Purchase Service
Wisconsin Renewable Portfolio Standard and Renewable Resource Credit Program

Type
Production Incentive

Amount
$0.066 /kWh; no max specified. Minimum size of 20 kW. Aggregate capacity limit of .25% retail sales for previous year

Details

Xcel Energy, an investor-owned utility offering services in eight states, will purchase 100% of the electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by its Wisconsin customers using qualifying renewable energy systems.

Federal – Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Residential Energy Efficient Property Definition

Type
Personal Tax Credit

Amount
30% No maximum if placed after 12/31/2008

Expiration Date
12/31/2016

Details

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 does not allow taxpayers eligible for the residential renewable energy tax credit to receive a U.S. Treasury Department grant instead of taking this credit.

Systems must be placed in service on or after January 1, 2008 or on or before December 31, 2016.

The home served by the system does not have to be the taxpayer’s primary residence.

Federal – Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Energy Credit Defined

Type
Corporate Tax Credit

Amount
30% for small wind; No maximum if placed after 12/31/2008

Details

Small wind turbines 100 kW or less