Nebraska Solar Rebates and Incentives

Nebraska's vast plains are famous for the state's amazing corn fields. They're also home to a good supply of wind and a decent share of solar energy. Yet in 2008, Nebraska's total solar energy capacity equaled only 44 kilowatts (72 kW for Wind). The reason for these low numbers can be attributed to a general lack of solar incentives from the the state government. Nebraska most notably lacks a renewable portfolio standard requiring utilities to adopt renewable sources of power. However, there are a few options available to Nebraska homeowners. They are as follows.

Dollar and Energy Savings Loans

Projects ranging from new clothes washers to solar water heaters and photovoltaics are eligible for state energy efficiency loans. The loans are leveraged with private sector funds, which, along with Recovery Act funding, has helped the program succeed in facilitating over 25,000 loans.

Homeowners first apply for a loan from their own bank. Then, the State Energy Office purchases 50 or 75 percent of the loan at zero interest so that the loan can be delivered to the homeowner at a low rate between 2.5 and 5 percent. Most of the funding is for energy efficiency, but certain pre-qualified renewable energy systems are eligible, along with projects that are not pre-qualified but come with a home energy audit.

Solar And Wind Easements

Nebraska law allows property owners to create binding easements along their property lines to ensure access to good solar or wind exposure. Also, counties and municipalities are allowed to develop zoning regulations to protect access to solar power, and local governments may grant zoning variances to solar projects as well. For more information, contact Jerry Loos at the Nebraska Energy Office or read a more detailed description of the law at DSIRE.org.

Useful Links

• Nebraska Energy Office
• Nebraska Public Power District
• Solar Power Rocks: Nebraska
• DSIRE: Nebraska