Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).
Established in 1995, the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is an ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the North Carolina Solar Center. See www.dsireusa.org.

This Web site includes a Michigan Incentives for Renewable Energy page, a page highlighting many Federal Incentives for Renewable Energy, and a Financial Incentives summary table for all states and the federal government.

It should be noted that new federal incentives resulted from passage of the national Energy Policy Act of 2005. Details about federal tax incentives are available from the IRS. Up to date information about federal incentives is being incorporated into the DSIRE Web site, so check there.

MPSC Low-Income and Energy Efficiency Fund.
This fund, administered by the Michigan PSC, supports the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the state. Businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies and/or schools are eligible to apply.

As a result of the most recent round of proposals, the PSC announced in June 2005 $6 million in grant awards to 11 organizations. Renewable energy projects supported included solar, wind, anaerobic digestion, fuel cells, and biofuel applications. See Press Release.

For more information and to learn about future requests for proposals (RFPs), see http://www.michigan.gov/lieefund.

Michigan State Energy Office.
The Energy Office offers grants, from time to time, for which self-service renewable energy systems may qualify. These grant programs change from one year to the next. See these Web pages for more information:

http://www.michigan.gov/energyoffice -- Grant announcements are usually made in the middle box on this Web page, entitled "Energy Office News and Information".

See also specific Web pages for Business and Non-Profit, Industrial, Public Buildings, Residential, and Wind and Solar. Grants specific to any of these sectors are likely to be listed on those Web pages.

NextEnergy Incentives for Michigan-Based Advanced Energy Technology Businesses.
NextEnergy is a non-profit corporation founded in 2002 to advance the alternative energy technology industry in the State of Michigan. NextEnergy received its initial funding from the State of Michigan, as a result of the passage of the Michigan Next Energy Authority Act (2002 P.A. 593). A series of accompanying bills established a variety of incentives for alternative energy companies to locate or expand in Michigan. Those included provisions for creating alternative energy development zones (2002 P.A. 512, 2002 P.A. 587 and 2002 P.A. 622, and extended by 2004 PA 430), single business tax credits for qualifying businesses (2002 P.A. 531 and 2002 P.A. 622), property tax and personal property tax exemptions for specific qualifying property (2002 PA 549). In addition, 2003 P.A. 296 provides incentives for early stage venture capital investments in several types of businesses in Michigan, including alternative energy technologies as defined in the Next Energy Authority Act.

Financial Incentives associated with the NextEnergy legislation are summarized on the DSIRE Web site, where readers will also find links to appropriate Web sites and contact people. These financial incentives are generally available to alternative energy technology businesses only, and not to homeowners. But, if a transaction between a renewable energy system manufacturer/dealer and their customer is properly structured as a lease, at least some of the NextEnergy incentives could apply to net metered systems installed and operated in Michigan. Parties interested in pursuing this possibility should review information about the Michigan Alternative-Energy Personal Property Tax Exemption, and consult with their tax accountants.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is responsible for certifying renewable energy equipment for NextEnergy tax incentives for businesses.  MEDC maintains a webpage devoted to Alternative Energy Financial Incentives, at http://www.michigan.org/medc/ttc/Alternative.Energy/Financial.Incentives/. These programs are almost exclusively targeted at businesses or non-profit organizations, however.  Many do not include eligiblity for residential scale isntallations or for homeowners, so please be certain to check eligiblity requirements carefully. 

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Financial Opportunities Web Page. See http://www.eere.energy.gov/financing/. Much of the information on this Web site is geared towards businesses and institutions, but you will find a link to financial opportunities for Consumers.

The Michigan Renewable Energy Program strives to keep this Web page up to date by including information on all forms of assistance and incentives that may be applicable for those interested in the installation and operation in Michigan of self-service power renewable energy systems. Readers are asked to notify MREP Staff if they are aware of any additional programs or changes that should be made to the information provided on this Web page.