Efficiency & LIPACommercial Checklist for Wind Power
Before You Purchase a Wind Energy System:
- To obtain general information about wind resources in your location, visit LIPA's Wind Energy Resource Maps to identify average local wind speeds where you live.
- Contact a Wind contractor/installer to visit your
property and perform an on-site wind assessment. To obtain a
list of local wind installers in your area, please visit:
Wind Installers
. - Your wind contractor will help you select the appropriate wind turbine for your property, estimate annual output and contact LIPA regarding technical and interconnection issues.
- LIPA recommends that you shop around to compare prices before choosing a wind contractor. You should obtain 2 to 3 estimates from different contractors to compare pricing and small wind systems, warranties and expected annual electrical output. Ask each wind installer for customer references and contact your local Office of Consumer Affairs or Better Business Bureau to verify contractor information.
- Your wind installer should provide you with a written contract proposal that includes equipment pricing, installation costs, model numbers and warranty information. It should also include estimated annual electric output, turbine specifications and estimated LIPA incentives based on estimated output.
- Understand your wind turbine warranty and that you know who is responsible for honoring the warranty (the installer, dealer, builder or manufacturer). Verify that the wind system you receive matches the equipment listed on your contract.
- Once your proposal is accepted, your application should be forwarded to LIPA for review and approval. Your wind installer should assist you in obtaining all building permits and inspections. Your wind energy system must be inspected and approved by a licensed electrical inspector before it can operate.
- The permitting process for your turbine installation could take up to several months, so please keep this in mind during your planning process.
- LIPA incentives are only valid for new grid-connected wind turbines installed in the LIPA service territory.
- Ask your wind installer to review maintenance and operation of your new system. Be sure the installer reviews your wind turbine manual with you prior to completion of the installation and that you understand what routine maintenance may be required going forward.
Receiving your LIPA Rebate:
Because LIPA’s incentive is based on actual performance of your wind turbine at a specific location, all customers will be required to provide monthly energy output readings of their wind turbine’s actual output for the first year of operation. LIPA’s incentive program will be paid as follows:
- Phase I: 65% of incentive paid at installation
- Phase II: remaining 35% of incentive to be paid one (1) year after installation based on annual performance and output.
Before a wind energy system can be installed, the installer will help you complete and sign LIPA’s Rebate form and two (2) original Parallel Generation Agreements. This agreement specifies the terms and conditions under which your small wind system can be connected to the utility grid and is required for all utility-interconnected wind energy systems.
After LIPA pre-approves your completed Parallel Generation Agreement, your installer will obtain the necessary wind turbine equipment and assist you with the next steps addressed above. When your inspection is complete, please fax a copy of the electric inspection certificate to 631-755-5375 or mail it to:
LIPA Rebate Processing
25 Hub Drive
Melville, NY 11747
wind@service.lipower.org
LIPA will the conduct a functional test of your wind energy
system, set the appropriate meter and process your rebate.
