We Energies - Direct Financial Incentives for Renewable Energy Projects

We Energies, a Wisconsin-based investor-owned utility, offers non-profit and local government customers grants up to $100,000 to support the installation of renewable energy projects such as photovoltaic (PV), wind, biomass, anaerobic digestion, small hydroelectric systems. The Direct Financial Incentives Program is available to nonprofits (including schools and academic institutions) and units of government (including special districts and authorities defined as government entities under Wisconsin law). In most cases, customers retain ownership of the renewable-energy credits (RECs) associated with the generation of electricity using eligible renewables. The following conditions apply: Proposed PV and wind projects must have a site-assessment completed by a site assessor certified by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. All renewable energy systems must be manufactured and installed in compliance with all requirements of the latest edition of the National Electric Code (American National Standards Institute/National Fire Protection Association-70). A North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified installer must serve as the project lead, and a licensed electrician must be used. All installations must comply with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter PSC 119 for interconnecting distributed generation facilities. All projects must include a strong and clearly identified outreach and educational component that will be used to inform and educate the public in an ongoing manner. The current Request for Proposals (RFP) from We Energies lists a total of five rounds of funding. The application deadlines for each round of potential funding is noon on the following dates: : February 25, 2011 April 22, 2011 June 24, 2011 August 19, 2011 October 21, 2011 See the program web site for more information, to view the current solicitation, or to find out about the next round of funding.