Eligible Projects

Eligible Projects. Eligible projects include retrofits and energy design process developments. The improvement must promote the development and demonstration of efficient, environmentally acceptable and commercially feasible technology and processes, and must also utilize Mississippi’s existing energy resources, public utilities and/or developing resources to foster economic growth. In order for a project to be eligible to receive such assistance, the project must qualify pursuant to the two (2) phase eligibility requirements provided below: A. Phase 1 Structural Eligibility: The structure, which is to be the target for the installation of energy efficiency measures will be financed with the proceeds of a loan, shall be considered eligible only if it is an existing structure that is at least one (1) year old, owned, occupied and used by the Borrower and, is not: (i). Classified as condemned or scheduled for demolition; or, (ii). Leased or rented by the applicant from another party unless the landlord has given the tenant written permission to proceed with the installation; or, (iii). Encumbered by a real estate transaction or purchase option; or, (iv). Included on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and Sites maintained by the U.S. Secretary of the interior or , if included, has received approval of the Mississippi Department of History and Archives to perform the work; or, (v). Encumbered by subordinated mortgages, mechanics, or materialmen’s, and/or any other types of liens that would prevent MDA from obtaining a security interest. B. Phase 2 Eligible Retrofit Measures: Loans will be made available only for the purchase and installation of energy conservation measures that have been identified and recommended by an energy technical analysis. The combined simple payback of all the energy conservation measures being installed cannot exceed ten (10) years. The Energy Analysis can be performed by MDA, utility companies or a qualified engineer. Only projects recommended by the Energy Analysis will be considered for funding. An energy conservation measure is one that is primarily intended to reduce energy consumption or allow the use of an alternative energy source. Loans cannot be used to finance projects that were completed prior to, or in the process of being installed, at the time of an application. Neither may a loan be used to finance “cosmetic” or rehabilitative improvements unless energy savings are justifiable. C. Categories Eligible for Funding. Two categories of energy efficiency projects are eligible for funding. The categories are defined as Retrofit Projects and Energy Efficient Processes. D. Retrofit Projects. Eligible energy conservation measures include, but are not limited to, the following: (i). insulation; (ii). storm windows and doors, multi-glazed and other specially treated windows and door systems; (iii). automatic energy control systems/energy management systems; (iv). equipment to operate variable steam, hydraulic, and ventilating systems; (v). solar heating and cooling systems, and electric generating systems; (vi). furnace or utility plant and distribution system modifications to include burners, furnaces, boilers, and ignition systems; (vii). caulking and weather-stripping; (viii.) lighting fixtures and lamps; (ix). energy recovering systems; (x). cogeneration systems; (xi). Renewable energy systems; (xii) Heating and cooling systems; and/or (xiii). other measures that can be shown to save energy or reduce energy demand. E. Energy Efficient Process. This category includes the implementation of equipment that enhances the efficiency of any industrial process by reducing energy consumption or allowing for the use of alternative energy sources. Examples of such projects include: (i). kilns; (ii). boilers – natural gas or wood; (iii). billet ovens; (iv). optimizing saws; (v). refrigeration systems; (vi). Variable steam and hydraulic equipment