RENEW Wisconsin

Small Solar Toolbox
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Small Photovoltaic Toolbox

Note: Some of the materials below are copyrighted by Niels Wolter and are provided exclusively for individual educational use, NOT for purposes of bulk copying, distribution or sales. For any other use, please contact Niels Wolter at nielsw@weccusa.org for specific permission.
Documents are in Adobe PDF Format and will require Acrobat Reader

Toolbox - Interconnection Process

Connecting small PV Systems to Wisconsin’s Utility Grid
New 2004 Rules for Connecting your PV System to the Utility Grid
Application Flow Chart in WI Interconnection Guidelines
PSC 119 Rules for Interconnection
PSC 6027-Application Form for up to 20 kW
PSC 6028-Application Form for 20 kW to 15 MW
PSC 6029-Agreement Form for up to 20kW
PSC 6030-Agreement Form for 20 kW to 15 MW
Utility Data Release Form
Utility Designated Points of Contact for Interconnection
Wisconsin Interconnection Guidelines-April, 2004


Toolbox - Electrical Codes

Wisconsin Electrical Codes
Department of Commerce Chapter 16
PSC 113-Service Rules for Electric Utilities
PSC 114-Wisconsin State Electric Code

National Electrical Code and PV
Inspector Guidelines for PV Systems (draft)
PV Installation Checklist


Toolbox - Funding Opportunities

Wisconsin Focus on Energy's Renewable Program
Eligibility Tool
Small Site Assessment Request Form (20kW or less)
Large Site Assessment Request Form (greater than 20kW)

Residential Incentives
Business Incentives

Wisconsin Public Power Solar Energy Incentive for Customers of Municipal Utilities
WPPI Residential Incentive

USDA Funding For Farms and Rural Small Businesses
USDA Section 9006 Renewable Energy Grants & Loan Guarantee Overview
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture -- Rural Development Website


Toolbox--Fact Sheets, Case Studies and Demonstration Sites

WisconSUN White Papers
Solar Energy in Wisconsin
Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Systems
Getting a Photovoltaic (PV) Energy System Installed at Your Home
Options for Integrating PV into Your Building
PV Consumers Guide

WisconSUN Case Studies


Focus on Energy
Grid-Connected Solar Electric Systems
Sun Powered Homes Off Grid
Solar Electricity in Schools
Solar Electricity in Architecture

Solar Electricity in the City (a dual axis tracking system in the back yard of an urban home)
Solar Energy in New Homes (a solar tempered home with a small fixed mounted PV system and solar hot water heating)
Ritger Law Office (standing seam metal roofing PV system on a new office building)
University of Wisconsin Green Bay (standing seam metal roofing, prototype PV glazing, and solar air preheating system on a class room building)
Owning a PV/Wind Hybrid System: Being your Own Utility

Focus on Energy’s Listing of Wisconsin Renewable Energy System Demonstration Sites


Tool box--Economics

Economic Planning for Commercial Renewable Energy Systems
DSIRE, Federal Incentive Summary
DSIRE, Wisconsin Incentive Summary
Tax Credits and Other Cost Recovery - Federal Tax
Forms for residential solar tax credits not yet available.
IRS Website for downloading: Publications, Forms and Instructions
IRS Publication 946: How to Depreciate Property
IRS Form 4562: Depreciation and Amortization
IRS Instructions for Form 4562
IRS Form 3468: Investment Credit (Solar and Geothermal Business Energy Tax Credit)
IRS Instructions for Form 3468
IRS Form 3800: General Business Credit
IRS Instructions for Form 3800
IRS Form 8835: Renewable Electricity Production Credit
Note any requirements to review Alternative Minimum Tax or Tentative Minimum Tax.


Tool box--Production, Economic and Environmental Analysis

PVWatts
PV System Installed Prices for Wisconsin
Wolter PV Emissions paper


Tool box--Solar Electric Installers

Focus on Energy Full Service Solar Electric Installers List
NABCEP Candidate Handbook
NABCEP PV Certification Application
NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification Study Guide


Toolbox--Other PV Tool Kits
Acknowledgement:
This toolbox set was assembled and provided by Niels Wolter of MSB Energy Associates and WisconSUN. Many of the fact sheets were authored by Niels over many years for publication in other venues.
Although many of the materials are Wisconsin-specific, we hope that this toolbox will be of assistance to anyone planning to install a solar electric system for their own use.
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