DSIRE: National Database of Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council offers DSIRE, a national database of incentives for energy efficiency and for renewable energy. The combined databases are a one-stop source of information about state and federal government renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives and policies. The database addresses energy efficiency upgrades, purchases of energy efficient products or systems, and construction of energy efficient buildings. The efficiency incentives featured in the database include tax credits and deductions, rebates, low-interest loans, grants, property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, and bond programs. Users can search by state, by technology (lighting, insulation, etc.) by incentive type, and by other criteria.
DSIRE tracks renewable energy incentives and policies established by the federal government, state governments, local governments, larger electric utilities and a few non-profit organizations. DSIRE categorizes renewable energy incentives and policies into two groups:
- Financial Incentives include a variety of tax incentives, grants, loans, rebates, industry recruitment/support, bond programs, green building incentives, leasing/lease purchase programs and production incentives.
- Rules, Regulations & Policies include public benefits funds, renewable portfolio standards, net metering, interconnection, extension analysis, generation disclosure requirements, contractor licensing, equipment certification, solar/wind access laws, solar/wind permitting standards, construction & design standards (including building energy codes and energy standards for public buildings), mandatory utility green power options, and green power purchasing/aggregation policies.
The list of incentives and policies provides links to individual summaries with the following details:
- The incentive or policy type (e.g., tax credit, rebate program, net metering)
- The implementing sector (e.g., federal, state, utility)
- Eligible sectors (e.g., residential, commercial, government)
- Eligible technologies (e.g., solar water heating, wind energy, insulation)
- Links to authorizing statutes, regulations and relevant legal documents
- A summary of the incentive or policy
- A link to the incentive or policy web site
- Contact information
DSIRE also includes the following features, accessible on the DSIRE home page:
- Lists of new and updated incentives and policies (What’s New?)
- A glossary of relevant terms
- A library of relevant DSIRE publications and presentations
- Links to other organizations and useful resources
- Solar-specific policy resources (DSIRE Solar)
The utility of this site cannot be overemphasized. A great resource that will prove beneficial to both novices and experienced sustainability staff. It should be the first stop for those seeking funding sources for energy-related projects.
The database presents incentives and policies for all investor-owned utilities in the United States but does not include electric cooperatives and municipal utilities with less than 30,000 customers. Users in those smaller communities will need to contact directly their local utility companies.
The information in the database reflects more than 100 incentives and policies established by local governments. However, because there are thousands of municipalities and counties in the United States, DSIRE scope is generally limited to innovative incentives and policies, and incentives and policies established by larger municipalities and counties.
DSIRE does not provide information related to alternative transportation fuels or alternative fuel vehicles.
