A.
Requirement
To qualify for a solar photovoltaic system rebate, an owner
or tenant of residential or commercial property located in the State must
demonstrate that an energy audit has been completed in compliance with this
subsection prior to receiving a rebate. For purposes of this section, an energy
audit is the completion of an on-site walk through audit and
delivery of written recommendations for improving electrical and thermal
efficiency of the property receiving the solar photovoltaic system. The owner
or tenant of the property is responsible for the costs of the energy
audit.
B.
Prior Audit
Exemption
The owner or tenant of residential or commercial property is
exempt from the requirements of this section under the following
circumstances:
1. The property was
previously audited on or after January 1, 2000, in a manner consistent with the
provisions of this section and a copy of the audit report is submitted with the
rebate application.
2. The property
was previously certified as ENERGY STAR or Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design at any time.
C.
Audit Content
The energy audit must include the following items:
1. Identification of lighting and appliances
efficiency opportunities and recommendations;
2. Identification of thermal shell insulation
and air sealing opportunities and recommendations;
3. Identification of space and water heating
efficiency opportunities and recommendations;
4. Identification of other electrical or
thermal efficiency opportunities and recommendations;
5. Identification of any observed or
perceived energy related health and safety concerns; and
6. Referral to or delivery of additional
relevant information and education materials and program opportunities as
identified by the Maine Solar Energy Rebate Program website.
D.
Commission Review
The Commission may review energy audit reports for compliance
with the requirements of this section and may perform on-site verification. If
an audit report is found to be insufficient, the Commission may contact the
auditor or the accrediting institution. If the audit is found to be
substantially deficient, the rebate will not be provided. The Commission review
process does not endorse the workmanship of any auditor or serve as a guaranty,
warranty, or assumption of liability for any work proposed or carried out by an
eligible auditor or as a result of the audit.
E.
Auditor Qualification
1.
Residential Audits.
Individuals qualified to do residential energy audits must be certified or
eligible and in good standing from one of the following organizations or
accrediting institutions:
a. Individuals
certified as an energy auditor as determined by the Maine State Housing
Authority.
b.
ResidentialEnergyServicesNetwork certified home energy raters or
auditors.
c. Individuals certified
to participate in the Maine Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program or its
successor program as determined by the Commission.
d. Individuals certified by the Building
Performance Institute.
e.
Individuals certified by the U.S. Green Building Council with expertise with
residential buildings.
f.
Architects and engineers who are licensed by Maine and possess relevant
building efficiency energy expertise.
g. Individuals qualified to do commercial
energy audits under subsection E (2).
2.
Commercial Audits.
Individuals qualified to do commercial energy audits must be licensed,
certified, or eligible and in good standing from one of the following
organizations or accrediting institutions:
a.
Individuals or firms working on behalf of, or are authorized to work for, the
Efficiency Maine small business walk through audit service.
b. Individuals who have passed the Certified
Energy Managers exam.
c.
Individuals certified by the U.S. Green Building Council with expertise on
commercial buildings.
d. Architects
and engineers who are licensed by Maine and possess relevant building
efficiency energy expertise.
