07/17/2006: "July 31 Deadline for Solar, Wind Power Generators"

If solar or wind power producers want to get paid for power they've generated in the past year, they need to send some paperwork to the Washington State Department of Revenue by July 31.
Independent energy producers must submit a certification form to the Department of Revenue in order to receive up to $2,000 a year in payments from their local electric utilities.

Energy producers can receive payments for power generated since July 1, 2005, if they file for certification by July 31. If they submit requests for certification after July 31, they can be compensated only for energy produced after that date.

The new alternative energy law, which takes effect Sept. 1, provides for payment of 15 cents or more for every kilowatt-hour of electricity that renewable energy power producers generate, depending on whether or not they use components manufactured in Washington. The incentive program is retroactive to July 1, 2005 and lasts until June 30, 2014.

The incentives apply to businesses, individuals and local governments that invest in wind and solar energy systems or anaerobic digesters that turn manure into methane used to generate electricity.

More than 100 independent producers have had their systems certified by the Department of Revenue so far. Small electric producers need to file for a one time certification with the Department of Revenue and then separately file an annual application for the incentive payment with their utility. Utilities will make the payments, then apply for credits against their public utility tax liability.

Approved alternative energy producers will get incentive payments for electrical energy that they generate for their own use or to sell to utilities. Incentives begin at 15 cents per kilowatt hour generated and increase to as much as 54 cents per kilowatt hour if the user employs solar modules, inverters or wind-generator blades manufactured in Washington.

For certification forms and other information on the program, please go to http://dor.wa.gov. For annual application forms and procedures, contact your utility.