Solar Programs and Policy Support

Overview

There are a number of approaches that a state can take to support the deployment of renewable energy technologies. From requiring a certain percentage of renewable electricity generation using a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to providing incentives for the production of energy from renewable technologies, each state has developed its own unique policy portfolio tailored to take advantage of its unique renewable resources potential, environmental opportunities and economic development.

This section of the website divides state support mechanisms into three general categories: 1) Financial Incentives, 2) Rules, Regulations and Policies, and 3) Federal Policies. Incentives are used to encourage the installation of solar energy technologies by providing a monetary incentive in the form of a tax credit or financial return on electricity production to lower the upfront cost of solar technologies. Solar-friendly rules, regulations and policies are employed to either require or support the use of solar energy technologies.