Description

Note: The Ohio Advanced Energy Fund (AEF) expired as of December 31, 2010. With its expiration, the AEF, which is a public benefit fund, is no longer collecting money and thus unable to financially support ODOD programs. For any questions on the Advanced Energy Fund, please contact the Ohio Energy Resources Division directly using the contact information below. This information is for historical purposes only.

The Ohio Energy Resources Division, which resides within the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD), is offering grants on a first-come, first-served basis for the installation of new residential solar PV systems* in the service areas of the following utilities: American Electric Power, Dayton Power & Light, Duke Energy, and FirstEnergy. Customers of these utilities pay into the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund, which provides funds for the incentive.

* The approved residential solar PV system installer applies for and receives the grant, which is then passed directly to the end-use customer.

Residential Solar Photovoltaic Energy Incentive (NOFA 09-04)
The incentive offered is $3.00/Watt DC of installed capacity, with a maximum incentive of $25,000. The system must be based in Ohio and intended for use on the primary home of the eligible customer. In addition, the system must use new equipment, be grid-tied, use a meter to measure kilowatt-hour (kWh) output and have an output of at least two kilowatts (kW). The grant application must include a Solar Site Analysis Report; systems must be evaluated using a Solar Pathfinder or a substitute approved by the OEO. Grant awards will be reduced by the percent the actual site varies from the ideal site found by the Solar Site Analysis Report.

If selected to receive a grant, project work cannot proceed until a grant agreement has been executed. The project must be completed within 12 months of signing a grant agreement. The funds will be disbursed once the project is completed and has passed a final inspection review.

Project equipment may not be ordered, purchased, or installed prior to the execution of a grant agreement with the ODOD. Incentives are only available for installations performed by an installer approved by the OERD. The AEF Grants website contains information on the criteria and application process for becoming an approved installer and a list of approved installers.

AEF Grant Application Guidelines and Documents
For additional information, application guidelines and related program documents:

1. Visit the Ohio Energy Resource Division’s Advanced Energy Fund Grants website
2. Select the appropriate Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) based on energy project category
3. Review the project relevant NOFA documents to understand complete guidelines, application procedures and minimum requirements for grant eligibility