NEW JERSEY RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVE PROGRAM (REIP)

This page is designed to provide an overview of the New Jersey REIP along with links where you can find additional information.

Benefits of the New Jersey REIP

Installing a renewable energy system such as a home solar power system offers both environmental and financial benefits over the life of your system. Not only are you helping protect the environment and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but from day one you're saving money on your electric bill and can lock in your electric costs for up to 50 years.

Most significantly, New Jersey's REIP offers rebates intended to help offset the cost of installing a renewable energy system, so you start to recoup your investment even sooner.

REIP Specifications

While specific program incentives are subject to change for each funding cycle, in general the program offers rebates of varying amounts based on what type of system you install, system size and usage.

For instance, under the last funding cycle which opened September 1, 2010, New Jersey residents with a system capacity of 0-10,000 watts could apply for a rebate of $.75/ watt for up to a 7.5 kW system. You can view all of the most recent REIP incentives at http://www.njcleanenergy.com/re.

Be sure to check the Clean Energy Program's website for the latest available incentives, funding and open funding cycles. For 2010, funding cycles began on January 1, May 1, and September 1, 2010.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements established by the New Jersey REIP. For solar electric/photovoltaic systems these include:

• Project must be installed in New Jersey
• Residential applications for existing homes
• Residential applications for new construction only if located in SmartGrowth area
• Non-residential applications only for non-profit and public agencies such as municipalities, schools and state government
• Annual expected energy production of the installed system cannot exceed annual historical energy usage

Certain customer segments and system sizes are not eligible for rebates, so be sure to check with Eclipse Solar to confirm your eligibility.

New Jersey REIP Application Process

Once you have determined eligibility, you must complete and submit an REIP application packet, which includes an application form and supporting documents.

You should receive a letter within 1-3 months indicating whether your application was approved and if sufficient funds are available within the funding cycle. Once approved, solar energy system applicants have 12 months to complete the installation and to submit the "as built" packet to request a state inspection.

After successful completion of the local inspection and utility interconnection, the applicant or installer must submit a final paperwork packet. Once received, a letter containing the New Jersey certification number will be sent to the system owner within 6-8 weeks of receipt and a rebate check is mailed within 60 days.

All program forms and checklists are available at http://www.njcleanenergy.com/reipapps.

How Eclipse Solar Can Help with Your REIP Application

At Eclipse Solar, we're experts on the entire process involved in providing you with an operational, money-saving, energy-efficient solar system. Our turnkey services include evaluating your current home and utility usage, developing an estimate for the system that's right for you, completing all necessary paperwork for your local utility and state grant program, setting up electrical inspections and arranging for any new meters.

And having successfully completed the New Jersey REIP Mandatory Training Requirement, Eclipse Solar can guide you through every step of the application process to ensure you receive all available rebates and start saving even sooner.