@misc{731,
  keywords = {Energy Markets and Policy Department, Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division},
  author = {Mark Bolinger},
  title = {A Targeted Approach to Support PV and Small Wind in Montana},
  abstract = {<p>Montana{\textquoteright}s largest investor-owned utility channels about $1 million per year of its system-benefits funds to support renewable energy, with a particular emphasis on photovoltaics (PV) and small wind. Like New York (see separate case study on support for PV in New York), Montana has chosen to develop a handful of programs targeting different PV and small wind applications. This case study describes these programs. <strong>Innovative Features</strong> Despite limited funding, Montana{\textquoteright}s programs have been largely successful in installing PV and small wind in targeted applications that the fund administrator believes deserve special attention.</p><ul><li>Part of this success is due to the work of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), which administers several major projects on behalf of the utility {\textendash} this "outsourced" administrative structure is an innovative one that has proven successful.</li><li>Montana{\textquoteright}s programs are also somewhat unique in that they have targeted niche applications such as PV-powered livestock watering systems, as well as other targeted applications such as solar on schools (with a strong educational component). As with New York, this multi-faceted approach allows Montana{\textquoteright}s fund to proactively target what it considers to be the most economical, the most educational, and the most innovative PV and small wind applications. This approach may, arguably, lead to a more sustainable market for PV and small wind in the long-term than more blunt buy-down programs, but may do so at the expense of market and business stability in the near term.</li></ul><p><strong>Results</strong> In the 2-3 years that they have been operating, Montana{\textquoteright}s programs have installed roughly 200 kW of PV and small wind capacity at an average award of approximately $5/W.</p>},
  year = {2002},
  booktitle = {Case Studies of State Support for Renewable Energy},
  journal = {Case Studies of State Support for Renewable Energy},
  series = {Case Studies of State Support for Renewable Energy},
  pages = {6},
  month = {09/2002},
  institution = {LBNL},
  publisher = {LBNL},
  address = {Berkeley},
}