10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2010

Bill: 111-s-3460
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2010-06-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy research
Government lending and loan guarantees
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Research and development
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2010-06-07
text: 
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) establish a program to provide funds to states for rebates, loans, or other incentives to eligible participants for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems for properties located in the United States; and (2) provide such funds to states for FY2012-FY2020 in accordance with the formula used to allocate funds to states to carry out state energy conservation plans under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. 
 
Authorizes a state to use such funds to expand or establish a state solar rebate program, a solar loan program, a solar performance-based incentive program, or another solar incentive program or innovative solar financing program as determined by the Secretary. Requires the state to: (1) certify to the Secretary that the funds will be used to supplement, expand, or create new programs and to deploy an increased quantity of solar energy systems; and (2) submit to the Secretary an annual implementation plan that contains projections for solar energy systems deployment, data regarding the number of eligible participants that are assisted under existing applicable state programs, and projections for additional solar energy system deployment and the number of additional eligible participants for the following fiscal year. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to specify the type and capacity of solar energy system that a state receiving such funds may use. Makes each state receiving funds responsible for 20% of the amount of the provided funds. 
 
Provides that a participant who receives a rebate under this Act shall not be eligible for a rebate for expenditures for installation of a renewable energy system in connection with a dwelling unit or small business under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 
 
Sets a goal of installing distributed solar energy systems on not less than 10 million properties located in the United States by January 1, 2020.

action_date: 2010-09-27
text: 
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and local governments to provide rebates, loans, or other incentives to eligible participants for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems for properties located in the United States. 
 
Requires the Secretary to implement criteria for awarding such grants that: (1) provides the maximum leverage of federal funds; (2) provides for the maximum deployment of solar energy; (3) ensures that grants are awarded to a diversity of geographic locations and recipients with different population sizes; (4) provides no less than 2% of the funds available to Indian tribes and consortia of Indian tribes; and (5) provides a preference for grant recipients that have established and maintained, or that agree to commit to establish and maintain, standards and policies to overcome barriers to distributed generation (including interconnection and net metering).
 
 
 Authorizes the use of funds received to expand or establish a solar rebate program, a solar loan program, a solar performance-based incentive program, or another solar incentive program, solar deployment program or project, or innovative solar financing program as determined by the Secretary. Requires a grant recipient to: (1) certify that funds will be used to supplement, expand, or create new programs and to deploy an increased quantity of solar energy systems; and (2) submit to the Secretary an implementation plan that contains projections for solar energy systems deployment, data regarding the number of eligible participants that are assisted under existing applicable state and local programs, and projections for additional solar energy system deployment and the number of additional eligible participants covered. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to specify the type and capacity of solar energy system and type of deployment or incentive program for which the grant funds are made available. Makes each eligible entity receiving funds responsible for 20% of the amount of the provided funds.
 
Provides that a participant who receives a rebate under this Act shall not be eligible for a rebate for expenditures for installation of a renewable energy system in connection with a dwelling unit or small business under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
 
 Limits the aggregate value of the grants, rebates, and tax credits provided to an eligible participant to 50% of the cost to the purchaser of the purchase and installation. 
 
Sets a goal of installing distributed solar energy systems on not fewer than 10 million properties located in the United States by December 31, 2021. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on recommendations in achieving such goal.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 618.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 111-332.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 111-332.
action_date: 2010-08-05
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2010-06-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-699.
action_date: 2010-06-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2010-06-07
text: Introduced in Senate