Black Hills Energy On-Site PV Rebate Program Rules

1. For on-grid PV systems, you must be Black Hills Energy electric customer whose account
is active and current at the site of the installation. Black Hills Energy will not accept
applications from a customer whose account is in arrears.
2. Rebated equipment is intended to remain at the address listed on this application. You
must own the property where the PV system will be installed. Black Hills Energy may
require partial or full repayment of rebates and Renewable Energy Credits if a system is
removed before the end of its useful life.
3. You must maintain your electrical equipment in good condition according to Black Hills
Energy’s construction standards.
4. All systems must meet the requirements of local building construction and electrical
safety codes at the time of installation. The customer is responsible for securing all
necessary permits (i.e., building, electrical, etc.). Black Hills Energy strongly
recommends that you secure these permits before applying for a rebate.
5. All equipment must be factory new and unused. Rebuilt or refurbished equipment is not
allowed. Solar systems MUST be inspected by a Black Hills inspector before the system
can become operational.
6. The system must be permanently installed or attached to a building, foundation or
permanent structure. Portable or mobile systems are not allowed.
7. Black Hills Energy will calculate an equipment rebate payment based on the DC capacity
of the PV system. Rebate payment will be no less than $2.00 per DC Watt.
8. For PV systems up to 10 kW-DC, a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) will be paid in a
lump sum based on the REC payment scale in effect at the time a reservation number is
issued.
9. PV systems put in service in 2009 that are greater than 10 kilowatts up to 100 kilowatts
will receive an REC payment of $115 per megawatt hour. A payment will be made
annually based on the total amount of electricity generated by your PV system each year.
REC payments are subject to annual adjustment.
10. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to determine rebate eligibility and to calculate REC
payments on factors such as safety, shading, orientation, and tilt.
11. Systems must be installed within 12 months of the date of Black Hills Energy’s pre-
approval letter unless a request for extension has been received and approved by Black
Hills Energy. Failure to meet these requirements will result in forfeiture of the pre-
approved rebate and may require re-application.
12. All equipment must be listed by Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) and meet the minimum
standards of UL and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in effect
at the time of purchase.
13. Expansions to existing systems are allowable, as long as the expanded portions meet all
other technical requirements.
14. PV modules must be warranted for a minimum period of twenty years. All other
components (with the exception of batteries), labor and installation must be warranted for
a minimum period of five years, and must be maintained by the owner to ensure that they
remain operational for the duration of the agreement with Black Hills Energy.
15. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to inspect your PV system installation and a copy of
your installation contract in order to ensure compliance with program requirements.
16. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to post-installation follow-up visit(s) in order to verify
actual output.
17. Rebates and REC payments will be calculated based on the rebate and REC values in
effect at the time a completed application is received by Black Hills Energy.
18. Black Hills Energy will not be liable for any tax liability imposed as a result of rebate
payments.
19. The rebate amount cannot exceed the total cost of the system.
20. Black Hills Energy reserves the right to modify this program at any time in accordance
with the rules established by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

BHE PV 2009 Ver.1.2