AEP Texas North Company: SMART Source Solar PV Rebate Program

American Electric Power Texas North Company (AEP-TNC) offers rebates to customers that install photovoltaic (PV) systems on homes or other buildings. Customers of all rate classes (e.g., residential, commercial) are eligible to participate in the program. The term "customer" means "the entity with financial responsibility for paying the electric bill for the meter behind which the distributed solar energy equipment is to be installed." Rebates may be assigned to the customer, a service provider, or a third party. Rebates for new construction projects are permitted, but could involve complications that conflict with program guidelines. 

Rebates are offered at a flat rate of $1.75 per watt (DC) for residential customers and $1.50 per watt (DC) for non-residential customers. The maximum per project and per customer rebate for residential systems is $17,500 and the maximum rebate for non-residential customers is $37,500. Systems may not be sized to produce energy in excess of that required to meet annual on-site energy consumption. Each customer and point of service is eligible to participate in the program multiple times, subject to other program limitations (e.g., maximum per customer and per project incentive limits).

Systems must be new, connected to the grid on the customer side of the meter, meet minimum estimated performance requirements (80% of optimum), and meet all applicable code and utility interconnection requirements. All installations must be performed service providers who meet program eligibility requirements. Service providers are also subject to ongoing quality assurance standards and are required to attend technical training sessions. Installations may be subject to a variety of inspection and performance monitoring requirements in the short- and long-term. System owners retain title to renewable energy certificates (RECs) produced by their system.

The program budget for 2012 is $180,000.  For 2011 it was $180,000; for 2010 it was $347,040, and for 2009 it was $180,000.