An Act To Encourage the Use of Solar Energy I I
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0134
Committee Amendment CA_A_S11 (Senate)
Amends: 35-A MRSA §3211-C

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 42, L.D. 134, Bill, "An Act To 
Encourage the Use of Solar Energy" 
I I 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§2, as reallocated by RR 2005, c. 1, § 17, is 
amended to read: 
2. Solar energy rebate program. To the extent that funds are available in the fund 
established in subsection 3, an owner or tenant of residential or commercial property 
located in the State is entitled to a rebate for a qualified solar energy system that is 
installed in accordance with this subsection after July 1, 2005 that will be connected to 
the electrical grid. 
The commission shall set rebate levels for qualified solar energy 
systems. 
In setting rebate levels, the commission may consider market demand for 
qualified solar energy systems, program implementation experience and other factors 
relevant to the solar energy rebate program. 
A. 
A To qualify for a rebate, a solar photovoltaic system qualifies for a rebate of $3 
per watt on the first 2,000 'watts of installed capacity and $1 per watt for the next 
1,000 watts if must meet the following installation requirements: 
(1) For a system installed after July 1, 2005 but before January 1, 2007, the 
system -i-s must be installed by a master electrician who has completed a training 
course to prepare for certification by a North American board of certified energy 
practitioners or by a master electrician working in conjunction with either a 
person who has been certified by a North American board of certified energy 
practitioners or a person who has completed a training course to prepare for 
certification by a North American board of certified energy practitioners; or 
(2) For a system installed on or after January 1, 2007, the system -i-s must be 
installed by a master electrician who has been certified by a North American 
board of certified energy practitioners or by a master electrician working in 
Page \- 123LR0763(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
t-.'" 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A" to S.P. 42, L.D. 134 
conjunction with a person who has been certified by a North American board of 
certified energy practitioners. 
B. 
A To qualify for a rebate, a solar thermal system designed to heat water qualifies 
for a rebate of 25% of the cost of the system, including installation, or $1,250, 
whichever is less, if the system is must be installed by a licensed plumber who has 
been certified by the commission to install such systems or by a licensed plumber 
working in conjunction with a person who has been certified by the commission to 
install such systems. 
C. 
A solar thermal system designed to heat air qualifies for a rebate of 25% of the 
cost of the system, including installation, or $1,250, \vhichever is less. 
In the case of a newly constructed residence, the rebate must be available to the original 
owner or occupant. ' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the committee. The amendment retains the 
provision in the bill that gives the Public Utilities Commission discretion to set rebate 
levels for solar thermal systems and adds a provision to give the commission discretion to 
set rebate levels for solar photovoltaic systems. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
-
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Revised: 02/22/07 Mac.. 
LD 134 
LR 763(02) 
An Act To Encourage the Use of Solar Energy 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ';L)" S -/ 1 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Current biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
This legislation authorizes the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to revise rebate levels for solar thermal systems and 
solar photovoltaic systems to encourage consumer participation. Current law provides for a rebate of 25% of the cost 
of a solar thermal system or $1,250 whichever is less and for rebates of $3 per watt on the first 2,000 watts of installed 
capacity and $1 per watt for the next 1,000 watts for a solar photovoltaic system. Allowing the PUC flexibility to set 
the rebates is intended to increase use of the solar thermal rebate program and allow wider participation at lower 
rebate amounts for the photovoltaic rebate program. The bill does not change the assessments on transmission and 
distribution utilities that fund the program. The PUC has a proposed solar rebate budget of $500,000 in fiscal year 
2007-08 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2008-09 contained in the Governor's 2008-09 Biennial Budget. 
LR0763(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1