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Idaho

Idaho

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Printable Version
Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs

Last DSIRE Review: 04/20/2009
Program Overview:
State: Idaho
Incentive Type: State Loan Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Water Heaters, Lighting, Furnaces , Heat pumps, Air conditioners, CHP/Cogeneration, Energy Mgmt. Systems/Building Controls, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Motor-ASDs/VSDs, Agricultural Equipment, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Custom/Others pending approval
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Heat Pumps, CHP/Cogeneration
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Residential, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Agricultural, Institutional, Hospitals
Amount:Residential: $1,000 to $15,000
Commercial: $1,000 to $100,000
Agricultural: Up to $100,000
Renewable Loans: Up to $100,000
Schools, Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities: Up to $100,000
Maximum Incentive:Residential: $15,000
All others: $100,000
Terms:4% interest with 5-year term
Web Site: http://www.energy.idaho.gov/financialassistance/lowinterestenergy...
Summary:
The Idaho Office of Energy Resources administers low-interest loan programs for energy efficiency projects, and for active solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and biomass energy projects. The interest rate is 4% with a 5-year repayment term. Loans are available for retrofit only, with the exception of some renewable resources.  
 
Residential customers may chose one of two loan options: the standard Residential Loan Program or the Home Performance with Energy Star program. Eligible energy efficiency improvements for residential customers under both programs include insulation, space heating upgrades and water heating system improvements. The Home Performance with Energy Star loan program also provides funds for improvements to windows and air conditioning.  
 
Non-residential customers may undertake projects to improve insulation, windows and doors, heating systems, building commissioning, or custom-designed projects. Specific energy-efficient agricultural equipment may also be eligible. Note that the commercial and industrial loan has a minimum lending amount of $1,000, but loans for the agricultural and public sectors do not have a minimum loan amount.  
 
Certain restrictions apply to this program. For existing homes or businesses, the savings from reduced usage of conventional fuel must be sufficient to pay for the project’s installation cost (e.g. simple payback of 15 years or less). For new off-grid projects, use of a renewable energy resource must be the least cost alternative. For grid-tied renewable energy projects, the payback period must be 15 years or less. Renewable energy projects that are intended to sell the energy generated or the commodity produced are not eligible. While the program’s financing requires repayment within five years, this further stipulation for existing homes and businesses states that the project’s cumulative energy savings over a fifteen year period must be great enough to offset the cost of the project.


 
Contact:
  Terry Hoebelheinrich
Office of Energy Resources
322 E Front St., Suite 560
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0199
Phone: (800) 334-SAVE
Phone 2: (208) 287-4899
Fax: (208) 287-6713
E-Mail: terry.hoebelheinrich@oer.idaho.gov
Web Site: http://www.energy.idaho.gov
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Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.

© 2009 N.C. Solar Center / N.C. State University / College of Engineering