Tax Incentives and Financing

Commercial Incentives PDF
 

Idaho

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

  
Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs
Last DSIRE Review: 04/21/2010
Program Overview:
State: Idaho
Incentive Type: State Loan Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Water Heaters, Lighting, Furnaces , Heat pumps, Central Air conditioners, CHP/Cogeneration, Energy Mgmt. Systems/Building Controls, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Motor-ASDs/VSDs, Agricultural Equipment, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Custom/Others pending approval
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Geothermal Direct-Use
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Residential, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional, Hospitals
Amount: Residential: $1,000 to $15,000
Commercial: $1,000 to $100,000
Agricultural: Up to $100,000
Renewable Loans (with the exception of solar photovoltaic loans): Up to $100,000
Solar Photovoltaic Loans: Up to $15,000
Schools, Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities: Up to $100,000
Maximum Incentive: Residential: $15,000
All others: $100,000
Terms: 4% interest with 5-year term
Web Site: http://www.energy.idaho.gov/financialassistance/energyloans.htm
Summary:
The Idaho Office of Energy Resources administers low-interest loan programs for energy efficiency projects, and for active solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and biomass energy projects. The interest rate is 4% with a 5-year repayment term. Loans are available for retrofit only, with the exception of some renewable resources.  
 
Residential customers may chose one of two loan options: the standard Residential Loan Program or the Home Performance with Energy Star program. Eligible energy efficiency improvements for residential customers under both programs include insulation, space heating upgrades and water heating system improvements. The Home Performance with Energy Star loan program also provides funds for improvements to windows and air conditioning.  
 
Non-residential customers may undertake projects to improve insulation, windows and doors, heating systems, building commissioning, or custom-designed projects. Specific energy-efficient agricultural equipment may also be eligible. Note that the commercial and industrial loan has a minimum lending amount of $1,000, but loans for the agricultural and public sectors do not have a minimum loan amount.  
 
Certain restrictions apply to this program. For existing homes or businesses, the savings from reduced usage of conventional fuel must be sufficient to pay for the project’s installation cost (i.e., simple payback of 15 years or less). For new off-grid projects, use of a renewable energy resource must be the least cost alternative. For grid-tied renewable energy projects, the payback period must be 15 years or less. Solar photovoltaic systems are not subject to this requirement; there is no payback requirement for solar photovoltaic systems, though loans for solar photovoltaic systems are limited to $15,000. Renewable energy projects that are intended to sell energy generated or the commodity produced are not eligible. While the program’s financing requires repayment within five years, a further stipulation for existing homes and businesses states that the project’s cumulative energy savings over a fifteen year period must be great enough to offset the cost of the project.

 

 
Contact:

  Terry Hoebelheinrich
Office of Energy Resources
304 N. 8th Street, Suite 250
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0199