Renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions are now more affordable than ever thanks to the abundance of available rebates and incentives.
View the Residential, Commercial, or Builder incentives that may be available for you, or to learn more about how you can take advantage of these great incentives, call the SRE Energy Experts at (225) 341-8322.
Residential
Solar Electric (PV), Solar Water Heating, and Wind Energy Systems
Federal Income Tax Credit
A federal income tax credit of 30% of the system cost is available for solar electric (PV) solar water heating, and wind energy systems.
Louisiana State Incentives for Renewable Energy
Incentive Type
Personal Income Tax Credit
Solar System Exemption
Eligible Renewable Technologies
Solar Electric Systems Solar Water Heating Solar Space Heating Wind Energy Systems Solar Pool Heating
Solar Electric Systems Solar Water Heating Solar Space Heating Solar Pool Heating Passive Solar Space Heat
Sectors
Residential Multi-Family Residential
Residential
Amount
50% of the first $25,000 of the cost of each system
Energy Efficiency – Air Conditioning, Heating, Insulation, and Other Energy Efficiency Improvements
Federal Income Tax Credit
A federal income tax credit of up to $1,500 is available for qualified home energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, high-efficiency air conditioning systems, high-efficiency heat pumps and more.
Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO)
The Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) Program is offered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for residents to receive cash rebates for energy efficient improvements to existing homes.
The rebate amount is either 20% of the cost of energy efficiency improvements or 20% of the present value of energy saved by the improvements over the useful life, whichever is less. Any homeowner of an existing home is eligible to apply under this program.
All applications must be submitted prior to the start of any renovation. The homeowner contacts a certified home energy rater listed on the Louisiana DNR site and, pending funding, gets a preliminary rating containing proposed improvements.
In order to receive the rebate, the improvements must increase the energy efficiency of the home by at least 30%. After the home has been rated, the homeowner must make the improvements within six months. Following a final verification rating by the home rater, the HERO Program will issue a rebate to the homeowner.
Since inception, 17,025 rebates totaling $23,953,477 have been issued.
New homes no longer are eligible under the program; existing homes must have improved energy efficiency of at least 30%
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
Through the HELP program, administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, homeowners can get a five-year loan to improve the energy efficiencies of their existing homes. A homeowner may qualify for an energy improvement loan in two ways – either through an energy audit in which an Energy Home Rater makes recommendations, or by choosing pre-approved home improvements as designated by the program.
Since inception, HELP loans totaling $842,155 have been issued.
Incentive Type
HELP State Loan Program
Elgible Efficiency Technologies
Clothes Washers, Dishwasher, Refrigerators/Freezers, Dehumidifiers, Ceiling Fan, Water Heaters, Lighting, Chillers, Furnaces, Boilers, Heat pumps, Air conditioners, Programmable Thermostats, Building Insulation, Windows, Custom/Others pending approval
Eligible Renewable / Other
Solar Electric Systems, Solar Water Heating, Solar Space Heat, Geothermal Heat Pump
Sectors
Residential
Amount
50% of Costs
Max Amount
$6,000 from LA DNR
Term
5-year maximum term
Equipment Requirements
On prescriptive list or as advised by Energy Rater
Louisiana Electric Service Providers
Electric Utility Companies
Entergy
Pointe Coupee Electric
Dixie Electric Membership Corporation (DEMCO
Lafayette Utility Systems (LUS)
Slemco
Baton Rouge
x
x
x
Lafayette
x
x
x
New Orleans
x
Local Utility Incentives
Cleco Power - Power Miser New Home Program
Louisiana's Cleco Power offers a rate discount for residential customers who build homes that meet the Power Miser Program specifications. A customer that is building a new home that meets the standards will receive a rate discount of 10% between November and April for the first five years they live in the house.
Power Miser Standards include:
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump has minimum SEER rating of 14
Metal ductwork has 2 inches foil-backed or vinyl-backed insulation
Non-metal ductwork made out of insulating material with branch duct R-6 and plenum R-4
Electric water heater is well-insulated
Floor and wall insulation with minimum rating of R-13
Ceiling insulation with minimum rating of R-30
Kitchen and laundry equipment must be all-electric
Adequate attic ventilation
Incentive Type
Cleco Power Utility Rate Discount
Eligible Efficiency Technologies
Water Heaters, Furnaces, Air conditioners, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Doors, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Ventilation, Kitchen and Laundry Equipment
Sector
Residential
Amount
10% discount on energy from November through April for the first five years that the customer lives in their house
Requirement / Certification
Home must be built to Power Miser Standards
DEMCO - Touchstone Energy Home Program
DEMCO, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, provides residential customers who have a qualified Touchstone Energy Home a rebate of up to $0.10 per square foot of living area.
The main features are:
R-19 composite wall insulation
R-30 ceiling insulation
Attic ventilation
R-19 floor insulation over crawl spaces
Double pane windows or low-E windows
Metal insulated door or solid core wood door
Infiltration control to help prevent air from leaking into the home
Exhaust systems in bathrooms and kitchen
An exterior house wrap
Metal duct systems with minimum 3" insulation wrap or locate duct in conditioned space
An energy-efficient electric water heater from DEMCO
A high-efficiency electric heat pump
Incentive Type
DEMCO Utility Rate Discount
Eligible Efficiency Technologies
Custom/Others pending approval
Sector
Residential
Amount
$0.10 per square foot of living area
Requirement / Certification
House plans must be submitted, and load calculations must be done by cooperative
To learn more about qualifying for these rebates, please contact us.
Commercial
Solar Electric (PV), Solar Water Heating, and Wind Energy Systems
Federal Investment Tax Credit
A federal investment tax credit of 30% of the system cost is available for solar electric (PV), solar water heating, and wind energy systems.
Treasury Grant
Commercial projects may opt to apply for a Treasury Energy Grant in lieu of the investment tax credit (ITC). This applies to equipment placed in service by December 31, 2010 or construction has begun by December 31, 2010 and is completed by December 31, 2013. The grant is paid out by the Treasury within 60 days of the project completion and application is filed.
Federal 5 Year Accelerated Depreciation Schedule
Under the federal Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS), businesses may recover the cost of a solar electric, solar water heating, or wind energy system on an accelerated 5-year schedule. . In 2008 and 2009 the above investments qualify for the 50% Bonus Depreciation schedule. The owner is entitled to deduct 50% of the adjusted basis of the property in the first year of operation. The remaining 50% of the adjusted basis of the property is depreciated over the ordinary depreciation schedule. The Depreciation Basis is calculated as the System Installation Price – (1/2) Federal Investment Tax Credit.
Louisiana State Incentives for Renewable Energy
Incentive Type
Corporate Tax Credit
Eligible Renewable Technologies
Solar Electric Systems Solar Water Heating Solar Space Heating Wind Energy Systems Solar Pool Heating
Sectors
Commercial Residential Multi-Family Residential
Amount
50% of the first $25,000 of the cost of each system
Max Incentive
$12,500 per installed system
Carryover Provision
Excess credit is refundable
Effective Date
1/1/2008
Builders
Energy Efficiency
Federal Tax Credit – Energy Efficient Homes
Tax credits of up to $2,000 are available to builders for construction of new energy-efficient homes.
Homes qualify for a $2,000 credit if they are certified to reduce energy consumption by 50% relative to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standard and meet minimum efficiency standards established by the Department of Energy.
Building envelope component improvements must account for at least 20% of the reduction in energy consumption, but specific energy efficiency measures are not restricted.
The statements contained herein are not intended to and do not constitute an opinion as to any tax or other matter, and may not represent all potential incentives available to you. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to any taxes or incentives that you may qualify for.
