An Act To Extend the Solar Energy Rebate Program
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0795
Committee Amendment CA_A_S67 (Senate)
Amends: 35-A MRSA §3211-C

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 244, L.D. 795, Bill, "An Act To Extend 
the Solar Energy Rebate Program" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act Regarding the Solar Energy Rebate Program' 
Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause and before section 1 the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2007, c. 29, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
2. Solar energy rebate program. To the extent that funds are available in the fund 
established in subsection 3 and the requirements of subsection 2-A are satisfied, 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. To qualify for a rebate, a solar photovoltaic system must meet the following 
installation requirements: 
(1) For a system installed after July 1, 2005 but before January 1, 2007, the 
system 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 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to S.P. 244, L.D. 795 
(2) For a system installed on or after January 1, 2007, the system 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 
conjunction with a person who has been certified by a North American board of 
certified energy practitioners. 
B. To qualify for a rebate, a solar thermal system designed to heat water 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. 
In the case of a newly constructed residence, the rebate must be available to the original 
owner or occupant. 
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A. Energy audit requirement; solar photovoltaic system. To qualify for a 
rebate for a solar photovoItaic system under this section, an owner or tenant of residential 
or commercial property located in the State must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
commission that an energy audit, as defined by the commission by rule, has been 
completed. 
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §3211-C, sub-§4, as reallocated by RR 2005, c. 1, § 17, is 
amended to read: 
4. Rules. The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions 
of this section, including procedures and standards for demonstrating qualification for a 
rebate under this section and a definition of "energy audit" for the purposes of subsection 
2-A. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.' 
Amend the bill by inserting after section I the following: 
'Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION 
Solar Rebate Program Fund Z012 
Initiative: Provide funds to extend the solar energy rebate program until December 31, 
2010 to help consumers buy solar energy systems. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
2007-08 
$0 
$0 
2008-09 
$250,000 
$250,000 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'j't " to S.P. 244, L.D. 795 
SUMMARY 
This amendment adds a provision to the bill to require that in order to qualify for a 
rebate for a solar photovoltaic system under the Public Utilities Commission's solar 
energy rebate program, the homeowner or tenant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of 
the commission that an energy audit of the property has been completed. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/23/07 frac 
LD795 
LR 2057(02) 
An Act To Extend the Solar Energy Rebate Program 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ';4 " 
Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2007-08 
2008-09 
Projections 
2009-10 
Appropriations! Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
$0 
$250,000 
$500,000 
Revenue 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
$0 
$250,000 
$50.0,000 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Projections 
2010-11 
$250,000 
$250,000 
Extending the assessment on transmission and distribution utilities to fund the solar energy rebate program for two 
years will result in an increase in Other Special Revenue Funds. The bill includes allocations of $250,000 in fiscal 
year 2008-09, $500,000 in fiscal year 2009-10 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2010-11 to provide funds for consumers to 
buy solar energy products. 
LR2057(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1