Title
Amending Chapter 9-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Energy Conservation,” to establish a Solar Panel Incentive Program, under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 9-3400 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-3400. ENERGY CONSERVATION
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§ 9-3403. Solar Panel Incentives.
(1) There is hereby created a Solar Panel Incentive Program.
(2) Definitions. As used in this Section, the following words shall be defined as follows:
(a) Commercial Property. Any building designed for office use, retail sales use, or commercial services use, as those terms are used in the Zoning Code, § 14-601(5), (6), (7).
(b) Residential Property. Any building designed for residential use, as that term is used in the Zoning Code, § 14-601(2).
(c) Photovoltaic System. Those total components, systems and subsystems that, in combination, convert solar energy into electrical energy for a connection to a utilization load.
(d) Program Administrator. The Office of Sustainability, provided that the Office of Sustainability may, by written agreement, delegate the administration of this program to the Philadelphia Energy Authority.
(3) Incentive payments.
(a) The owner of any Commercial Property or Residential Property shall be entitled to an Incentive Payment on account of installation of a photovoltaic system on such property. The Program Administrator is hereby authorized to establish standards for eligible photovoltaic systems and for documentation needed to demonstrate eligibility.
(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (4), below, Incentive Payments shall be paid by the Program Administrator in the following amounts:
(.1) $0.10 per watt of solar installed on Commercial Properties.
(.2) $0.20 per watt of solar installed on Residential Properties.
(c) Incentive Payments shall only be made upon documentation to the satisfaction of the Program Administrator that installation of the photovoltaic system has been completed and is in operation.
(d) A property owner shall be liable for the repayment of any Incentive Payments if the photovoltaic system does not remain in operation on the subject property for at least thirty-six (36) months following installation.
(4) There shall be made available for Incentive Payments such total amount as shall be certified by the Director of Finance to the Program Administrator prior to the start of each fiscal year, provided that such total shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). In the event the Program Administrator receives applications for Incentive Payments that exceed, in total, the amount available for the Program, the Program Administrator shall award Incentive Payments on a first-come, first served basis, provided that the Program Administrator may, pursuant to standards adopted by the Program Administrator, give priority to applications from low and moderate income homeowners. Any applications excluded based on insufficient funds shall be considered to have been filed on the first day of the following fiscal year. The Program Administrator shall establish equitable rules for implementing this allocation system.
(5) Incentive program period. The Solar Panel Incentive Program shall commence on January 1, 2020, provided that incentive payments shall be available in the first six months of the program for installations dating back to July 1, 2019. The Solar Panel Incentive Program shall expire on December 31, 2024.
(6) Upon expiration of the Program, the Program Administrator shall file with the Chief Clerk of Council a report summarizing the City’s experience with the Program.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect on immediately.
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Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
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