How To Apply for a Rebate

There are a number of steps associated with applying for a Small Renewables Initiative rebate. They are explained here. If you decide to move forward with a renewable energy project, your installer or vendor is responsible for providing you with turnkey service and installation, including taking you through the SRI rebate process, securing required permits, and ensuring the installation of your renewable system.

Step 1. Am I eligible for an SRI rebate?

Small Renewables Initiative rebates for wind and small hydro are only available to electricity customers served by the following Massachusetts investor-owned electric utilities:

• Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light (Unitil)
• Massachusetts Electric (National Grid)
• Nantucket Electric (National Grid)
• NSTAR Electric
• Western Massachusetts Electric

To determine if you are eligible, look at your electricity bill or a map of electric utility service territories located here.

Step 2. Is wind or micro-hydroelectric compatible with my site?

Prior to contacting an installer or vendor, you should do some homework to determine whether or not renewable energy is compatible for your home or building. For example, only a select number of sites are suitable for wind projects and solar projects require access to sunlight throughout the day. The following resources will help you to better understand the characteristics of good sites for wind and solar:

Step 3. How do I estimate my rebate and project savings?

Although the SRI rebate will cover some of the system costs, you must still make an initial investment. To estimate the SRI rebate, project cost, and savings associated with a wind project, talk with your installer. As discussed in Step 5, your installer or vendor can provide you with a detailed estimate of the rebate and project costs. The actual rebate is based on a $/watt installed rebate matrix.

For the current SRI Rebate Matrix click here. (Matrix will soon be updated to exclude solar PV projects, which are now available under Commonwealth Solar.)

Step 4. How do I select an installer or vendor?

You are responsible for selecting an installer or vendor. SRI does not allow for third-party ownership. Installers and vendors can help you with a more detailed site and financial assessment.  In addition, they will be responsible for providing you with a turnkey service and installation.  You are responsible for performing your own due diligence with regard to the experience and qualifications of a potential contractor andfor making sure that they meet SRI requirements, including insurance.  The following links to potential installers and vendors are maintained by other entities:

Disclaimer: The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has not investigated, and expressly disclaims any duty to investigate, any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like which may be presented on the aforementioned websites. The presentation of these website links does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or guaranty by MTC of any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like. The entire risk of any information presented is assumed by the user.

Step 5. How do I submit a wind or micro-hydroelectric rebate application?

Once you have selected an installer or vendor, they will be responsible for preparing and submitting your rebate application and participant's agreement.  You will need to assist them by providing some supporting materials, such as an electric bill, reviewing application materials, and signing the application and participant's agreement.  It is important to note that wind and hydro projects must have secured all required permits prior to submitting a rebate application to MTC. 

Step 6. Installation and interconnection

Once your application has been approved, MTC will send you an Award Packet which indicates the amount of the rebate award, the project completion deadline, and other requirements. The Award Packet also includes a Project Completion Form and information on the Production Tracking System.  Once you have received the Award Letter, notify your installer or vendor to install the renewable energy project and work with the utility to have the project interconnected to the grid.

It is important to note that the Award Packet contains the documentation needed to help you secure your rebate payments.  Keep these in a safe place during the installation process.