# Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A04-10052 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** May 5, 2004 - **Citation:** 69 FR 25234 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Development Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program AGENCY: Rural Development, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Rural Development announces the availability of up to $22.8 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2004 to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy improvements for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. In order to be eligible for grant funds, the agricultural producer or rural small business must demonstrate financial need. The grant request must not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project costs. DATES: Applications must be completed and submitted to the appropriate United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Rural Development Office postmarked no later than 75 calendar days after the date of the published notice. Applications postmarked after that date will be returned to the applicant with no action. ADDRESSES: Submit proposals to the USDA State Rural Development Office where your project is located or, in the case of a rural small business, where you are headquartered. A list of the Energy Coordinators and State Rural Development Office addresses and telephone numbers follow. For further information about this solicitation, please contact the applicable State Office. USDA State Rural Development Offices Alabama Chris Harmon, USDA Rural Development, Sterling Center, Suite 601, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3615. Alaska Dean Stewart, USDA Rural Development, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7722. Arizona Gary Mack, USDA Rural Development, 3003 North Central Avenue, Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, (602) 280-8717. Arkansas Shirley Tucker, USDA Rural Development, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3280. California Charles Clendenin, USDA Rural Development, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5825. Colorado Linda Sundine, USDA Rural Development, 628 West 5th Street, Cortez, CO 81321, (720) 544-2929. Delaware-Maryland James Waters, USDA Rural Development, 4607 South Dupont Hwy., P.O. Box 400, Camden, DE 19934-0400, (302) 697-4324. Florida/Virgin Islands Joe Mueller, USDA Rural Development, 4440 NW. 25th Place, P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3482. Georgia J. Craig Scroggs, USDA Rural Development, 333 Phillips Drive, McDonough, GA 30253, (678) 583-0866. Hawaii Tim O'Connell, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8313. Idaho Dale Lish, USDA Rural Development, 725 Jensen Grove Drive, Suite 1, Blackfoot, ID 83221, (208) 785-5840, Ext. 118. Illinois Cathy McNeal, USDA Rural Development, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6210. Indiana Jerry Hay, USDA Rural Development, North Vernon Area Office, 2600 Highway 7 North, North Vernon, IN 47265, (812) 346-3411, Ext. 4. Iowa Jeff Kuntz, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, (641) 932-3031. Kansas Larry Carnahan, USDA Rural Development, P.O. Box 437, 115 West 4th Street, Altamont, KS 67330, (620) 784-5431. Kentucky Dewayne Easter, USDA Rural Development, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7435. Louisiana Kevin Boone, USDA Rural Development, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7960. Maine Valarie Flanders, USDA Rural Development, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9168. Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut Sharon Colburn, USDA Rural Development, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4303. Michigan Lee Bambusch, USDA Rural Development, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5257. Minnesota David Gaffaney, USDA Rural Development, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7814. Mississippi Charlie Joiner, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-5457. Missouri D. Clark Thomas, USDA Rural Development, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0995. Montana John Guthmiller, USDA Rural Development, 900 Technology Blvd., Unit 1, Suite B, P.O. Box 850, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-2540. Nebraska Cliff Kumm, USDA Rural Development, 201 North, 25 Street, Beatrice, NE 68310, (402) 223-3125. Nevada Dan Johnson, USDA Rural Development, 555 West Silver Street, Suite 101, Elko, NV 89801, (775) 738-8468, Ext. 112. New Hampshire See Vermont. New Jersey Michael Kelsey, USDA Rural Development, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, 8000 Midlantic Drive, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7700, Ext. 7751. New Mexico Eric Vigil, USDA Rural Development, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE., Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4952. New York Scott Collins, USDA Rural Development, The Galleries of Syracuse, Suite 357, 441 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6409. North Carolina H. Rossie Bullock, USDA Rural Development, P.O. Box 7426, Lumberton, NC 28359-7426, (910) 739-3349. North Dakota Dale Van Eckhout, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser Avenue, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2065. Ohio James Cogan, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2420. Oklahoma Jody Harris, USDA Rural Development, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1036. Oregon Don Hollis, USDA Rural Development, 1229 SE. Third Street, Suite A, Pendleton, OR 97801-4198, (541) 278-8049, Ext. 129. Pennsylvania Vincent Murphy, USDA Rural Development, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2181. Puerto Rico Virgilio Velez, USDA Rural Development, IBM Building, 654 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 601, Hato Rey, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5091, ext. 251. South Carolina R. Gregg White, USDA Rural Development, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 765-5881. South Dakota Gary Korzan, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 4th Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1142. Tennessee Dan Beasley, USDA Rural Development, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1341. Texas Pat Liles, USDA Rural Development, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main Street, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9780. Utah Richard Carrig, USDA Rural Development, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, (801) 524-4328. Vermont/New Hampshire Lyn Millhiser, USDA Rural Development, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6069. Virginia Laurette Tucker, USDA Rural Development, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1594. Washington Chris Cassidy, USDA Rural Development, 1606 Perry Street, Suite E, Yakima, WA 98902-5769, (509) 454-5743, Ext. 5. West Virginia Cheryl Wolfe, USDA Rural Development, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4882. Wisconsin Mark Brodziski, USDA Rural Development, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7615, Ext. 131. Wyoming Jerry Tamlin, USDA Rural Development, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 1005, P.O. Box 820, Casper, WY 82602, (307) 261-6319. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This solicitation is issued pursuant to enactment of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Act), which established the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program under Title IX, Section 9006. The 2002 Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program to make direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the nation's critical energy needs. The 2002 Act also mandates the maximum percentage Rural Development will provide in funding for these types of projects. The Rural Development grant will not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project costs and will be made only to those who demonstrate financial need. Due to the time constraints for implementing this program, Rural Development is issuing only the grant program for FY 2004 at this time. Definitions Applicable to This NOFA Agency. Rural Development or successor Agency assigned by the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the program. Agricultural producer. An individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products, including crops (including farming); livestock (including ranching); forestry products; hydroponics; nursery stock; or aquaculture, whereby 50 percent or greater of their gross income is derived from the operations. Annual receipts. The total income or gross income (sole proprietorship) plus cost of goods sold. Biogas. Biomass converted to gaseous fuels. Biomass. Any organic material that is available on a renewable or recurring basis including agricultural crops; trees grown for energy production; wood waste and wood residues; plants, including aquatic plants and grasses; fibers; animal waste and other waste materials; and fats, oils, and greases, including recycled fats, oils, and greases. It does not include paper that is commonly recycled or unsegregated solid waste. Capacity. The load that a power generation unit or other electrical apparatus or heating unit is rated by the manufacturer to be able to meet or supply. Commercially available. Systems that have a proven operating history and an established design, installation, equipment, and service industry. Demonstrated financial need. The demonstration by an applicant that the applicant is unable to finance the project from its own resources or other funding sources without grant assistance. Eligible project cost. The total project costs that are eligible to be paid with grant funds. Energy audit. A written report by an independent, qualified entity or individual that documents current energy usage, recommended improvements and their costs, energy savings from these improvements, dollars saved per year, and the weighted-average payback period in years. Energy efficiency improvement. Improvements to a facility or process that reduce energy consumption. Financial feasibility. The ability of the business to achieve the projected income and cash flow. The concept includes assessments of the cost-accounting system, the availability of short-term credit for seasonal business, and the adequacy of raw materials and supplies, where necessary. Grant close-out. When all required work is completed, administrative actions relating to the completion of work and expenditures of funds have been accomplished, and the Agency accepts final expenditure information. In-kind contributions. Applicant or third-party real or personal property or services benefiting the Federally assisted project or program that are contributed by the applicant or a third party. The identifiable value of goods and services must directly benefit the project. Interconnection agreement. The terms and conditions governing the interconnection and parallel operation of the grantee's or borrower's electric generation equipment and the utility's electric power system. Other services required by the applicant from the utility are covered under separate arrangements. Matching funds. The funds needed to pay for the portion of the eligible project costs not funded by the Agency through a grant under this program. Other waste materials. Inorganic or organic materials that are used as inputs for energy production or are by-products of the energy production process. Power purchase arrangement. The terms and conditions governing the sale and transportation of electricity produced by the grantee or borrower to another party. Other services required by the applicant from the utility are covered under separate arrangements. Pre-commercial technology. Technologies that have emerged through the research and development process and have technical and economic potential for application in commercial energy markets but are not yet commercially available. Renewable energy. Energy derived from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source; or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources. Renewable energy system. A process that produces energy from a renewable energy source. Rural. Any area other than a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town. Small business. A private entity including a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and a cooperative (including a cooperative qualified under section 501(c)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code) but excluding any private entity formed solely for a charitable purpose, and which private entity is considered a small business concern in accordance with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Size Standards by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Industry found in 13 CFR part 121; provided the entity has 500 or fewer employees and $20 million or less in total annual receipts including all parent, affiliate, or subsidiary entities at other locations. State. Any of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Total project cost. The sum of all costs associated with a completed, operational project. Grant Amounts The amount of funds available for this program in FY 2004 is up to $22.8 million. Rural Development grant funds may be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Half of the funds will be available for renewable energy systems and the other half for energy efficiency improvement projects. USDA may reallocate funds between the renewable energy systems and the energy efficiency improvement funds. Applications for renewable energy systems must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $500,000. Applications for energy efficiency improvements must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $500,000. The actual number of grants funded will depend on the quality of proposals received and the amount of funding requested. These limits are consistent with energy efficiency improvement projects and alternative energy systems, which the Department has determined are appropriate for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Grant limitations were based on historical data supplied from Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and Rural Utilities Service on renewable energy systems and from an energy efficiency state program for energy efficiency improvements. Applicant Eligibility To receive a grant under this subpart, an applicant must meet each of the criteria, as applicable, as set forth in paragraphs (a) through (f). (a) The applicant or borrower must be an agricultural producer or rural small business. (b) Individuals must be citizens of the United States (U.S.) or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence. (c) Entities must be at least 51 percent owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals who are either citizens of the U.S. or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence. (d) If the applicant or borrower, or an owner has an outstanding judgment obtained by the United States in a Federal Court (other than in the United States Tax Court), is delinquent in the payment of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on a Federal debt, the applicant or borrower is not eligible to receive a grant, until the judgment is paid in full or otherwise satisfied or the delinquency is resolved. (e) In the case of an applicant or borrower that is applying as a rural small business, the business headquarters must be in a rural area and the project to be funded also must be in a rural area. (f) The applicant must have demonstrated financial need. Adverse actions made on applications are appealable pursuant to 7 CFR part 11. Project Eligibility For a project to be eligible to receive a grant under this subpart, the proposed project must meet each of the criteria, as applicable, in paragraphs (a) through (f). (a) The project must be for the purchase of a renewable energy system or to make energy efficiency improvements. (b) The project must be for a pre-commercial or commercially available and replicable technology, not for research and development. (c) The project must be technically feasible. (d) The project must be located in a rural area. (e) The applicant must be the owner of the system and control the operation and maintenance of the proposed project. A qualified third-party operator may be used to manage the operation and/or for maintenance of the proposed project. (f) All projects must be based on satisfactory sources of revenues in an amount sufficient to provide for the operation and maintenance of the system or project. (g) Proposed projects which may necessitate an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may not be selected. (h) The total input from a nonrenewable energy source for necessary and incidental requirements of the energy system will be determined by the technical reviewers. Grant Funding (a) The amount of grant funds that will be made available to an eligible project under this subpart will not exceed 25 percent of eligible project costs. (1) The only eligible project costs are those costs associated with the items identified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (ix). The items must be an integral and necessary part of the total project: (i) Post-application purchase and installation of equipment, except agricultural tillage equipment and vehicles; (ii) Post-application construction or project improvements, except residential; (iii) Energy audits or assessments; (iv) Permit fees; (v) Professional service fees, except for application preparation; (vi) Feasibility studies; (vii) Business plans; (viii) Retrofitting; and (ix) Construction of a new facility only when the facility is used for the same purpose, is approximately the same size, and based on the energy audit will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility. Only costs identified in the energy audit for energy efficiency projects are allowed. (2) The applicant must provide at least 75 percent of eligible project costs to complete the project. Applicant in-kind and other Federal grant awards cannot be used to meet the 75 percent match requirements. However, the Agency will allow third-party, in-kind contributions to be used in meeting the matching requirement. Third-party, in-kind contributions will be limited to 10 percent of the 75 percent match requirement of the grantee. The Agency will advise if the third-party, in-kind contributions are acceptable in accordance with 7 CFR part 3015. (b) The maximum amount of grant assistance to one individual or entity will not exceed $750,000. (c) Applications for renewable energy systems must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $500,000. (d) Applications for energy efficiency improvements must be for a minimum grant request of $2,500, but no more than $250,000. Application and Documentation (a) Application. Separate applications must be submitted for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects. For each type of project, only one application with required copies may be submitted. (1) Table of Contents. The first item in each application will be a detailed Table of Contents in the order presented below. Include page numbers for each component of the proposal. Begin pagination immediately following the Table of Contents. (2) Project Summary. A summary of the project proposal, not to exceed one page, must include the following: Title of the project, a detailed description of the project including its purpose and need, goals and tasks to be accomplished, names of the individuals responsible for conducting and completing the tasks, and the expected timeframes for completing all tasks, including an operational date. The applicant must also clearly state whether the application is for the purchase of a renewable energy system or to make energy efficiency improvements. (3) Eligibility. Each applicant must describe how it meets the eligibility requirements. (4) Agricultural producer/small business information. All applications must contain the following information on the agricultural producer or small business seeking funds under this program: (i) Business/farm/ranch operation. (A) A description of the ownership, including a list of individuals and/or entities with ownership interest, names of any corporate parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, as well as a description of the relationship, including products, between these entities. (B) A description of the operation. (ii) Management. The resume of key managers focusing on relevant business experience. If a third-party operator is used to monitor and manage the project, provide a discussion on the benefits and burdens of such monitoring and management as well as the qualifications of the third party. (iii) Financial information. (A) Explanation of demonstrated financial need. (B) For rural small businesses, a current balance sheet and income statement prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and dated within 90 days of the application. Agricultural producers must present financial information in the format that is generally required by commercial agriculture lenders. Financial information is required on the total operations of the agricultural producer/small business and its parent, subsidiary, or affiliates at other locations. (C) Rural small businesses must provide sufficient information to determine total annual receipts of the business and any parent, subsidiary, or affiliates at other locations. Voluntarily providing tax returns is one means of satisfying this requirement. Information provided must be sufficient for the Agency to make a determination of total income and cost of goods sold by the business. (D) If available, historical financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP for the past 3 years, including income statements and balance sheets. If agricultural producers are unable to present this information in accordance with GAAP, they may instead present financial information for the past 3 years in the format that is generally required by commercial agriculture lenders. (E) Pro forma balance sheet at startup of the agricultural producer's/small business' business that reflects the use of the loan proceeds or grant award; and 3 additional years, indicating the necessary start-up capital, operating capital, and short-term credit; and projected cash flow and income statements for 3 years supported by a list of assumptions showing the basis for the projections. (F) For agricultural producers, identify the gross market value of your agricultural products for the calendar year preceding the year in which you submit your application. (iv) Production information for renewable energy system projects. (A) Provide a statement as to whether the technology to be employed by the facility is commercially or pre-commercially available and replicable. Provide information to support this position. (B) Describe the availability of materials, labor, and equipment for the facility. (v) Business market information for renewable energy system projects. (A) Demand. Identify the demand (past, present, and future) for the product and/or service and who will buy the product and/or service. (B) Supply. Identify the supply (past, present, and future) of the product and/or service and your competitors. (C) Market niche. Given the trends in demand and supply, describe how the business will be able to sell enough of its product/service to be profitable. (vi) A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. (b) Forms, certifications, and agreements. Each application submitted must contain, as applicable, the items identified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (15) of this section. (1) Form SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance.” (2) Form SF-424C, “Budget Information—Construction Programs.” Each cost classification category listed on the form must be filled out if it applies to your project. Any cost category item not listed on the form that applies to your project can be put under the miscellaneous category. Attach a separate sheet if you are using the miscellaneous category and list each miscellaneous cost by not allowable and allowable costs in the same format as on SF 424C. All project costs must be categorized as either allowable or not allowable. (3) Form SF-424D, “Assurances—Construction Programs.” (4) AD-1049, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements.” (5) AD-1048, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—Lower Tiered Covered Transactions.” (6) A copy of a bank statement or a copy of the confirmed funding commitment from the funding source. Matching funds must be included on SF 424 and SF 424C. (7) Exhibit A-1, (Certification for Contracts, Grants and Loans) of RD Instruction 1940-Q required by section 319 of Public Law 101-121 if the grant exceeds $100,000 or Exhibit A-2, Statement of Guarantees of RD Instruction 1940-Q required by section 319 of Public Law 101-121 if the guaranteed loan exceeds $150,000. (8) If the applicant has made or agreed to make payment using funds other than Federal appropriated funds to influence or attempt to influence a decision in connection with the application, Form SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,” must be completed. (9) AD-1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility MattersPrimary Covered Transactions.” (10) Form RD 400-1, “Equal Opportunity Agreement.” (11) Form RD 400-4, “Assurance Agreement.” (12) If the project involves interconnection to an electric utility, a copy of a letter of intent to purchase power, a power purchase agreement, a copy of a letter of intent for an interconnection agreement, or an interconnection agreement will be required from your utility company or other purchaser for renewable energy systems. (13) If applicable, intergovernmental consultation comments in accordance with Executive Order 12372. (14) Applicants and borrowers must provide a certification indicating whether or not there is a known relationship or association with an Agency employee. (15) Environmental review. All applicants must complete Form RD 1940-20, “Request for Environmental Information.” All applicants will be responsible for providing all information necessary for the Agency to do a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and analysis in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G. Any additional environmental information required will be conveyed to the applicant after a preliminary review of the grant application by the State Rural Development Office. Any applicable analyses and studies required as part of completing the NEPA analysis ( i.e. , Archaeological studies, Biological Assessments, etc. ) will be the responsibility of the Applicant. The Applicant should strive to achieve positive community support, select good sites, and mitigate environmental impacts resulting from their proposals. If an environmental review cannot be completed in sufficient time for grant funds to be obligated by September 30, 2004, grant funds will not be awarded. (c) Feasibility study for renewable energy systems. Each application for a renewable energy system project, except for requests of $50,000 or less, must include a project-specific feasibility study prepared by a qualified independent consultant. The feasibility study must include an analysis of the market, financial, economic, technical, and management feasibility of the proposed project. The feasibility study must also include an opinion and a recommendation by the independent consultant. (d) Technical requirements reports. The technical report must demonstrate that the project design, procurement, installation, startup, operation and maintenance of the renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement will operate or perform as specified over its design life in a reliable and a cost effective manner. The technical report must also identify all necessary project agreements, demonstrate that those agreements will be in place, and that necessary project equipment and services are available over the design life. All technical information provided must follow the format specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (10). Supporting information may be submitted in other formats. Preliminary design drawings and process flow charts should be included as exhibits. A discussion of each topic identified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (10) is not necessary if the topic is not applicable to the specific project. Questions identified in the Agency's technical review of the project must be answered to the Agency's satisfaction before the application will be approved. The applicant must submit the original technical requirements report plus one copy to the State Rural Development Office. For small solar and small wind projects, the narrative portion of technical requirements portion of the proposals, excluding supporting documentation and drawings, should be less than ten pages. Projects costing more than $50,000 require the services of a professional engineer (PE). Depending on the level of engineering required for the specific project or if necessary to ensure public safety, the services of a PE may be required for smaller projects. (1) Biomass, bioenergy. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (x) apply to renewable energy projects that produce fuel, thermal energy, or electric power from a biomass source, including wood, agricultural residue excluding animal wastes, or other energy crops considered biomass or bioenergy projects. The major components of bioenergy systems will vary significantly depending on the type of feedstock, product, type of process, and size of the process but in general includes components around which the balance of the system is designed. (i) Qualifications of project team. The biomass project team will vary according to the complexity and scale of the project. For engineered systems, the project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor or system installer, and a system operator and maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated expertise in similar biomass systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The application must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the biomass system equipment manufacturers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system designer, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing biomass energy systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available; and (D) Describe the system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining biomass renewable energy equipment or projects. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(ii)(A) through (G). (A) Biomass systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national codes and regulations. Identify zoning and code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify licenses where required and the schedule for obtaining those licenses. (C) Identify land use agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing the agreements and the term of those agreements. (D) Identify any permits or agreements required for solid, liquid, and gaseous emissions or effluents and the schedule for securing those permits and agreements. (E) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (F) Systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, describe the applicable local net metering program. (G) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the type, quantity, quality, and seasonality of the biomass resource including harvest and storage, where applicable. Where applicable, also indicate shipping or receiving method and required infrastructure for shipping. For proposed projects with an established resource, provide a summary of the resource. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified entity. Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including site selection, system and component selection, and system monitoring equipment. Systems must be constructed by a qualified entity. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the biomass project including location of the project, resource characteristics, system specifications, electric power system interconnection, and monitoring equipment. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Describe the expected electric power, fuel production, or thermal energy production of the proposed system as rated and as expected in actual field conditions. For systems with a capacity more than 20 tons per day of biomass, address performance on a monthly and annual basis. For small projects such as a commercial biomass furnace or pelletizer of up to 5 tons daily capacity, proven, commercially available devices need not be addressed in detail. Describe the uses of or the market for electricity, heat, or fuel produced by the system. Discuss the impact of reduced or interrupted biomass availability on the system process. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, and environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction and installation issues applicable to this type of technology. Identify any unique construction and installation issues. (C) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including resource assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including project management, resource assessment, project design, project permitting, land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed analysis and description of annual project revenues and expenses. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Biomass systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Provide information regarding available system and component warranties and availability of spare parts; (B) For systems having a biomass input capacity exceeding 10 tons of biomass per day; (1) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed system, including maintenance schedule for the mechanical, piping, and electrical systems and system monitoring and control requirements. Provide information that supports expected design life of the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds; and (2) Discuss the costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for in or outsourcing. Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long-term project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/operator; and (C) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling large, unanticipated failures or major components. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for in-sourcing or out-sourcing. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (2) Anaerobic digester projects. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(2)(i) through (x) apply to renewable energy projects, called anaerobic digester projects, that use animal waste and other organic substrates to produce thermal or electrical energy via anaerobic digestion. The major components of an anaerobic digester system include the digester, the gas handling and transmission systems, and the gas use system. (i) Qualifications of project team. The anaerobic digester project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor, and a system operator or maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated commercial-scale expertise in anaerobic digester systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance as related to the organic materials and operating mode of the system. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the anaerobic digester system equipment manufacturers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system designer, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing anaerobic digester systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating consistent with the substrate material and with references if available; and (D) For regional or centralized digester plants, describe the system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining similar projects. Farm scale systems may not require operator experience as the developer is typically required to provide operational training during system startup and shakedown. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating consistent with the substrate material and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) through (G). (A) Anaerobic digester systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national codes and regulations. Anaerobic digesters must also be designed and constructed in accordance with USDA anaerobic digester standards. Identify zoning and code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify licenses where required and the schedule for obtaining those licenses. (C) For regional or centralized digester plants, identify feedstock access agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing those agreements and the term of those agreements. (D) Identify any permits or agreements required for transport and ultimate waste disposal and the schedule for securing those agreements and permits. (E) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (F) Systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, describe the applicable local net metering program. (G) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the substrates used as digester inputs including animal wastes, food processing wastes, or other organic wastes in terms of type, quantity, seasonality, and frequency of collection. Describe any special handling of feedstock that may be necessary. Describe the process for determining the feedstock resource. Provide either tabular values or laboratory analysis of representative samples that include biodegradability studies to produce gas production estimates for the project on daily, monthly, and seasonal basis. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified entity. Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including site selection, digester component selection, gas handling component selection, and gas use component selection. Systems must be constructed by a qualified entity. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the anaerobic digester project including location of the project, farm description, feedstock characteristics, a step-by-step flowchart of unit operations, electric power system interconnection equipment, and any required monitoring equipment. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production, heat balances, material balances as part of the unit operations flowchart. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, and environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction and installation issues applicable to this type of technology. Identify any unique construction and installation issues. (C) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including feedstock assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown, and operator training. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including project management, feedstock assessment, project design, project permitting, land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, training and operations, and maintenance costs of both the digester and the gas use systems. Provide a detailed analysis and description of annual project revenues and expenses. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Anaerobic digester systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 3-year warranty for equipment and a 10-year warranty on design. Provide information regarding system warranties and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed project, including maintenance for the digester, the gas handling equipment, and the gas use systems. Describe any maintenance requirements for system monitoring and control equipment; (C) Provide information that supports expected design life of the system and the timing of major component replacement or rebuilds; (D) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling large, unanticipated failures of major components. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for insourcing or outsourcing; and (E) Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long-term project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/operator. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (3) Geothermal, electric generation. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(3)(i) through (x) apply to geothermal projects that produce electric power from the thermal potential of a geothermal source. The major components of an electric generating geothermal system include the production well, the separator or heat exchanger, the turbine, the generator, condenser, and the balance of station elements including the, field piping, roads, fencing and grading, plant buildings, transformers and other electrical infrastructure such as interconnection equipment. (i) Qualifications of project team. The electric generating geothermal plant project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor, and a system operator and maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated expertise in geothermal electric generation systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the geothermal plant equipment manufacturers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system designer, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing geothermal electric generation systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available; and (D) Describe system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining electric generating geothermal projects. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(3)(ii)(A) through (F). (A) Electric generating geothermal systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national codes and regulations. Identify zoning and code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify any permits or agreements required for well construction and for disposal or re-injection of cooled geothermal waters and the schedule for securing those agreements and permits. (C) Identify land use or access to the resource agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing the agreements and the term of those agreements. (D) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (E) Systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. (F) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc.) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the quality of the geothermal resource including temperature, flow, and sustainability and what conversion system is to be installed. Describe any special handling of cooled geothermal waters that may be necessary. Describe the process for determining the geothermal resource including measurement setup for the collection of the geothermal resource data. For proposed projects with an established resource, provide a summary of the resource and the specifications of the measurement setup. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified entity. Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including site selection, system and component selection, conversion system component and selection, design of the local collection grid, interconnection equipment selection, and system monitoring equipment. Systems must be constructed by a qualified entity. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the geothermal project including location of the project, resource characteristics, thermal system specifications, electric power system interconnection equipment and project monitoring equipment. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production on a monthly and annual basis. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, proximity to the electrical grid, environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction, and installation issues applicable to this type of technology. Identify any unique construction and installation issues. (C) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including resource assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including project management, resource assessment, project design, project permitting, land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed analysis and description of annual project revenues including electricity sales, production tax credits, revenues from green tags, and any other production incentive programs throughout the life of the project. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Geothermal systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup or shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 3-year warranty for equipment. Provide information regarding turbine warranties and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed project, including maintenance for the mechanical and electrical systems and system monitoring and control requirements; (C) Provide information that supports expected design life of the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds; (D) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling large, unanticipated failures of major components such as the turbine. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for insourcing or outsourcing; and (E) Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long term project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/operator. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (4) Geothermal, direct use. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (x) apply to geothermal projects that directly use thermal energy from a geothermal source. The major components of a direct use geothermal system include the production well, the heat exchanger, pumps, and the balance of station elements including the, field piping, re-injection wells or other disposal equipment as required, and final point-of-use heat exchangers and control systems. (i) Qualifications of project team. The geothermal project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor, and a system operator and maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated expertise in geothermal heating systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such method include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the geothermal system equipment manufacturers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system designer, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing direct use geothermal systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available; and (D) Describe system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining direct use generating geothermal projects. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(ii)(A) through (F). (A) Direct use geothermal systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national codes and regulations. Identify zoning and code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify licenses where required and the schedule for obtaining those licenses. (C) Identify land use or access to the resource agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing the agreements and the term of those agreements. (D) Identify any permits or agreements required for well construction and for disposal or re-injection of cooled geothermal waters and the schedule for securing those permits and agreements. (E) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (F) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the quality of the geothermal resource including temperature, flow, and sustainability and what direct use system is to be installed. Describe any special handling of cooled geothermal waters that may be necessary. Describe the process for determining the geothermal resource including measurement setup for the collection of the geothermal resource data. For proposed projects with an established resource, provide a summary of the resource and the specifications of the measurement setup. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified entity. Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including site selection, system and component selection, thermal system component selection, and system monitoring equipment. Systems must be constructed by a qualified entity. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the geothermal project including location of the project, resource characteristics, thermal system specifications, and monitoring equipment. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production on a monthly and annual basis. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as, site access, foundations, thermal backup equipment, and environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction, and installation issues applicable to this type of technology. Identify any unique construction and installation issues. (C) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including resource assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including project management, resource assessment, project design, project permitting, land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed analysis and description of annual project revenues and expenses. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Geothermal systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 3-year warranty for equipment. Provide information regarding system warranties and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed project, including maintenance for the mechanical and electrical systems and system monitoring and control requirements; (C) Provide information that supports expected design life of the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds; (D) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling large, unanticipated failures of major components. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for insourcing or outsourcing; and (E) Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long term project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/operator. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (5) Hydrogen. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(5)(i) through (x) apply to renewable energy projects that produce hydrogen and renewable energy projects that use mechanical or electric power or thermal energy from a renewable resource using hydrogen as an energy transport medium. The major components of hydrogen systems include reformers, electrolyzers, hydrogen compression and storage components, and fuel cells. (i) Qualifications of project team. The hydrogen project team will vary according to the complexity and scale of the project. For engineered systems, the project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a construction contractor or system installer, and a system operator and maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The project team must have demonstrated expertise in similar hydrogen systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the hydrogen system equipment manufacturers of major components for the hydrogen system being considered in terms of the length of time in the business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, system designer, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing hydrogen systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available; and (D) Describe the system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining hydrogen system equipment or projects. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(5)(ii)(A) through (G). (A) Hydrogen systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national codes and regulations. Identify zoning and building code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify licenses where required and the schedule for obtaining those licenses. (C) Identify land use agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing the agreements and the term of those agreements. (D) Identify any permits or agreements required for solid, liquid, and gaseous emissions or effluents and the schedule for securing those permits and agreements. (E) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (F) Systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, provide a description of the applicable local net metering program. (G) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc.) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the type, quantity, quality, and seasonality of the biomass resource. For solar, wind, or geothermal sources of energy used to generate hydrogen, indicate the local renewable resource where the hydrogen system is to be installed. Local resource maps may be used as an acceptable preliminary source of renewable resource data. For proposed projects with an established renewable resource, provide a summary of the resource. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Projects shall be engineered by a qualified entity. Systems must be engineered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including site selection, system and component selection, and system monitoring equipment. Systems must be constructed by a qualified entity. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the hydrogen project including location of the project, resource characteristics, system specifications, electric power system interconnection equipment, and monitoring equipment. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Describe the expected electric power, fuel production, or thermal energy production of the proposed system. Address performance on a monthly and annual basis. Describe the uses of or the market for electricity, heat, or fuel produced by the system. Discuss the impact of reduced or interrupted resource availability on the system process. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, and any environmental issues and safety concerns with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction and installation issues applicable to this type of technology. Identify any unique construction and installation issues. (C) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including resource assessment, system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including project management, resource assessment, project design and engineering, project permitting, land agreements, equipment, site preparation, system installation, startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed analysis and description of annual project revenues and expenses. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Hydrogen systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues, such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, and receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Provide information regarding system warranties and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed project, including maintenance of the reformer, electrolyzer, or fuel cell as appropriate, and other mechanical, piping, and electrical systems and system monitoring and control requirements; (C) Provide information that supports expected design life of the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds; (D) Provide and discuss the risk management plan for handling large, unanticipated failures of major components. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for in or outsourcing; and (E) Describe opportunities for technology transfer for long term project operations and maintenance by a local entity or owner/operator. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (6) Solar, small. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(6)(i) through (x) of this section apply to small solar electric projects and small solar thermal projects. Small solar electric projects are those for which the rated power of the system is 10kW or smaller. The major components of a small solar electric system are the solar panels, the support structure, the foundation, the power conditioning equipment, the interconnection equipment, surface or submersible water pumps, energy storage equipment and supporting documentation including operations and maintenance manuals. Small solar electric projects are either stand-alone (off grid) or interconnected to the grid at less than 600 volts (on grid). Small solar thermal projects are those for which the rated storage volume of the system is 240 gallons, or smaller. The major components of a small solar thermal system are the solar collector(s), the support structure, the foundation, the circulation pump(s) and piping, heat exchanger (if required), energy storage equipment and support. (i) Qualifications of project team. The small solar project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager or general contractor, an equipment supplier of major components, a system installer, a system maintainer, and, in some cases, the owner of the application or load served by the system. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the qualifications of the suppliers of major components being considered; (B) Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to service, operate, and maintain the system for the proposed application; and (C) Discuss the project manager, system designer, and system installer qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing small solar systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar systems designed or installed by the design and installation team and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(6)(ii)(A) through (D). (A) Small solar systems must be installed in accordance with local, State, and national building and electrical codes and regulations. Identify zoning, building and electrical code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (C) Small solar electric systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, describe the applicable local net metering program. (D) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc.) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Describe the local solar resource where the solar system is to be installed. Acceptable sources of solar resource data include state solar maps and nearby weather station data. Incorporate information from state solar resource maps when possible. Indicate the source of the solar data and assumptions made when applying nearby solar data to the site. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. For small solar electric systems, the engineering must be comprehensive, including solar collector design and selection, support structure design and selection, power conditioning design and selection, surface or submersible water pumps and energy storage requirements as applicable, and selection of cabling, disconnects and interconnection equipment. For small solar thermal systems, the engineering must be comprehensive, including solar collector design and selection, support structure design and selection, pump and piping design and selection, and energy storage design and selection. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the small solar system including location of the project and proposed equipment specifications. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production based on available solar resource data on a monthly (when possible) and annual basis and how the energy produced by the system will be used. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and the reason for elimination of other site alternatives considered and address issues such as solar access, site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, orientation, proximity to the load or the electrical grid, unique safety concerns, and environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, and other construction, and installation issues, and whether special circumstances exist applicable to this type of technology. (C) Sites and application load must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including design, permitting, equipment, site preparation, system installation, system startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. Provide a detailed description of historic or expected energy use and expected energy offsets or sales on monthly and annual bases. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Small solar systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Provide a detailed description of equipment certification. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 5-year warranty for equipment. Provide information regarding system warranty and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed system, including maintenance schedules for the mechanical and electrical and software systems; (C) For owner maintained portions of the system, describe any unique knowledge, skills, or abilities needed for service operations or maintenance; and (D) Provide information regarding expected system design life and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for in or outsourcing. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (7) Solar, large. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(7)(i) through (x) apply to large solar electric projects and large solar thermal projects. Large solar electric systems are those for which the rated power of the system is larger than 10kW. The major components of a large solar electric system are the solar panels, the support structure, the foundation, the power conditioning equipment, the interconnection equipment, surface or submersible water pumps and energy storage equipment and supporting documentation including operations and maintenance manuals. Large solar electric systems are either stand-alone (off grid) or interconnected to the grid (on grid.) Large solar thermal systems are those for which the rated storage volume of the system is greater than 240 gallons. The major components of a small solar thermal system are the solar collector(s), the support structure, the foundation, the circulation pump(s) and piping, heat exchanger (if required), energy storage equipment and supporting documentation including operations and maintenance manuals. (i) Qualifications of project team. The large solar project team should consist of an equipment supplier of major components, a project manager, general contractor, a system engineer, a system installer, and system maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developer's risk; (B) Discuss the qualifications of the suppliers of major components being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, general contractor, system engineer, and system installer qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing large solar systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar systems designed or installed by the design, engineering, and installation team and currently operating and with references if available; and (D) Describe the system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining the system for the proposed application. Provide a list of the same or similar systems designed or installed by the design, engineering, and installation team and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(7)(ii)(A) through (D). (A) Large solar systems must be installed in accordance with local, State, and national building and electrical codes and regulations. Identify zoning, building and electrical code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (C) Large solar electric systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, describe the applicable local net metering program. (D) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Describe the local solar resource where the solar system is to be installed. Acceptable sources of solar resource data include state solar maps and nearby weather station data. Incorporate information from state solar resource maps when possible. Indicate the source of the solar data and assumptions made when applying nearby solar data to the site. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. (A) For large solar electric systems, the engineering must be comprehensive, including solar collector design and selection, support structure design and selection, power conditioning design and selection, surface or submersible water pumps and energy storage requirements as applicable, and selection of cabling, disconnects and interconnection equipment. A complete set of engineering drawings, stamped by a professional engineer must be provided. (B) For large solar thermal systems, the engineering must be comprehensive, including solar collector design and selection, support structure design and selection, pump and piping design and selection, and energy storage design and selection. Provide a complete set of engineering drawings, stamped by a professional engineer. (C) For either type of system, provide a concise but complete description of the large solar system including location of the project and proposed equipment and system specifications. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production based on available solar resource data on a monthly (when possible) and annual basis and how the energy produced by the system will be used. (D) For either type of system, provide a description of the project site and address issues such as, solar access, orientation, proximity to the load or the electrical grid, environmental concerns, unique safety concerns, construction, and installation issues and whether special circumstances exist. (E) Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including design and engineering, permitting, equipment, site preparation, system installation, system startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. Provide a detailed description of historic or expected energy use and expected energy offsets or sales on a monthly and annual basis. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Large solar systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Provide a detailed description of equipment certification. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment, including cranes and other devices, needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 5-year warranty for equipment. Provide information regarding system warranty and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed system, including maintenance schedules for the mechanical and electrical and software systems; (C) For owner maintained portions of the system, describe any unique knowledge, skills, or abilities needed for service operations or maintenance; and (D) Provide information regarding expected system design life and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for insourcing or outsourcing. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (8) Wind, small. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(8)(i) through (x) apply to wind energy systems for which the rated power of the wind turbine is 100kW or smaller and with a generator hub height of 120 ft or less. Such systems are considered small wind systems. The major components of a small wind system are the wind turbine, the tower, the foundation, the inverter, the interconnection equipment and energy storage when applicable. A small wind system is either stand-alone or connected to the local electrical system at less than 600 volts. (i) Qualifications of project team. The small wind project team should consist of a system designer, a project manager or general contractor, an equipment supplier of major components, a system installer, a system maintainer, and, in some cases, the owner of the application or load served by the system. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the small wind turbine manufacturers and other equipment suppliers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (B) Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to service, operate, and maintain the system for the proposed application; and (C) Discuss the project manager, system designer, and system installer qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing small wind systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar systems designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(8)(ii)(A) through (D). (A) Small wind systems must be installed in accordance with applicable local, State, and national building and electrical codes and regulations. Identify zoning, building and electrical code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (C) Small wind systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. This is required even if the system is installed on the customer side of the utility meter. For systems planning to utilize a local net metering program, describe the applicable local net metering program. (D) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the local wind resource where the small wind turbine is to be installed. Acceptable sources of wind resource data include state wind maps and nearby weather station data. Incorporate information from state wind resource maps when possible. Indicate the source of the wind data and the conditions of the wind monitoring when collected at the site or assumptions made when applying nearby wind data to the site. (iv) Design and engineering. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that the system will be designed and engineered so as to meet its intended purpose and need, will ensure public safety, mitigate any adverse environmental impacts, and will comply with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Small wind systems must be engineered by either the wind turbine manufacturer or other qualified party. Systems must be offered as a complete, integrated system with matched components. The engineering must be comprehensive including turbine design and selection, tower design and selection, specification of guy wire anchors and tower foundation, inverter/controller design and selection, energy storage requirements as applicable, and selection of cabling, disconnects and interconnection equipment as well as the engineering data needed to match the wind system output to the application load, if applicable. (A) The application must include a concise but complete description of the small wind system including location of the project, proposed turbine specifications, tower height and type of tower, type of energy storage and location of storage if applicable, proposed inverter manufacturer and model, electric power system interconnection equipment, and application load and load interconnection equipment as applicable. Identify possible vendors and models of major system components. Provide the expected system energy production based on available wind resource data on monthly (when possible) and annual basis and how the energy produced by the system will be used. (B) The application must include a description of the siting criteria used in selecting the project site and address issues such as site access, foundations, backup equipment when applicable, access to the wind resource, proximity to the electrical gird or application load, and environmental issues with emphasis on land use, air quality, water quality, noise pollution, soil degradation, wildlife, habitat fragmentation, aesthetics, odor, avian impacts, and other construction and installation issues and whether special circumstances such as proximity to airports exist when applicable to this type of technology. Provide a 360-degree panoramic photograph of the proposed site including indication of prevailing winds when possible. (C) Sites and application loads must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the proposed project life or for the financing term of any associated federal loans or loan guarantees. (v) Project development schedule. The applicant must identify each significant task, its beginning and end, and its relationship to the time needed to initiate and carry the project through startup and shakedown. Provide a detailed description of the project timeline including system and site design, permits and agreements, equipment procurement, and system installation from excavation through startup and shakedown. (vi) Financial feasibility. The applicant must provide a study that describes costs and revenues of the proposed project to demonstrate the financial performance of the project. Provide a detailed analysis and description of project costs including design, permitting, equipment, site preparation, system installation, system startup and shakedown, warranties, insurance, financing, professional services, and operations and maintenance costs. Provide a detailed description of applicable investment incentives, productivity incentives, loans, and grants. Provide a detailed description of historic or expected energy use and expected energy offsets or sales on a monthly and annual basis. (vii) Equipment procurement. The applicant must demonstrate that equipment required by the system is available and can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule. Small wind systems may be constructed of components manufactured in more than one location. Provide a description of any unique equipment procurement issues such as scheduling and timing of component manufacture and delivery, ordering, warranties, shipping, receiving, and on-site storage or inventory. Provide a detailed description of equipment certification. Procurement must be made in accordance with the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015. (viii) Equipment installation. The applicant must fully describe the management of and plan for site development and system installation, provide details regarding the scheduling of major installation equipment, including cranes and other devices, needed for project construction, and provide a description of the startup and shakedown specification and process and the conditions required for startup and shakedown for each equipment item individually and for the system as a whole. (ix) Operations and maintenance. The applicant must identify the operations and maintenance requirements of the system necessary for the system to operate as designed over the design life. The applicant must: (A) Ensure that systems must have at least a 5-year warranty for equipment and a commitment from the supplier to have spare parts available. Provide information regarding system warranty and availability of spare parts; (B) Describe the routine operations and maintenance requirements of the proposed system, including maintenance schedules for the mechanical and electrical and software systems; (C) Provide historical or engineering information that supports expected design life of the system and timing of major component replacement or rebuilds. Include in the discussion, costs and labor associated with operations and maintenance of system and plans for in or outsourcing; and (D) For owner maintained portions of the system, describe any unique knowledge, skills, or abilities needed for service operations or maintenance. (x) Decommissioning. When uninstalling or removing the project, describe the decommissioning process. Describe any issues, any environmental compliance requirements, and costs for removal and disposal of the system. (9) Wind, large. The technical requirements specified in paragraphs (d)(9)(i) through (x) apply to wind energy systems for which the rated power of the individual wind turbine(s) is larger than 100kW. Such systems are considered large wind systems. The major components of a large wind system are the wind turbine rotor, the gearbox, the generator, the tower, the power electronics, the local collection grid, and the interconnection equipment. (i) Qualifications of project team. The large wind project team should consist of a project manager, a meteorologist, an equipment supplier, a project engineer, a primary or general contractor, construction contractor, and a system operator and maintainer and in some cases the owner of the application or load served by the system. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The applicant must provide authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform the required services. The applicant must also provide authoritative evidence that vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare parts for the system to operate over its design life. The applicant must: (A) Discuss the proposed project delivery method. Such methods include a design, bid, build where a separate engineering firm may design the project and prepare a request for bids and the successful bidder constructs the project at the applicant's risk, and a design build method, often referred to as turn key, where the applicant establishes the specifications for the project and secures the services of a developer who will design and build the project at the developers risk; (B) Discuss the large wind turbine manufacturers and other equipment suppliers of major components being considered in terms of the length of time in business and the number of units installed at the capacity and scale being considered; (C) Discuss the project manager, equipment supplier, project engineer, and construction contractor qualifications for engineering, designing, and installing large wind systems including any relevant certifications by recognized organizations or bodies. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available; (D) Discuss the qualifications of the meteorologist, including references; and (E) Describe system operator's qualifications and experience for servicing, operating, and maintaining the system for the proposed application. Provide a list of the same or similar projects designed, installed, or supplied and currently operating and with references if available. (ii) Agreements and permits. The applicant must identify all necessary agreements and permits required for the project and the status and schedule for securing those agreements and permits, including the items specified in paragraphs (d)(9)(ii)(A) through (E). (A) Large wind systems must be installed in accordance with local, State, and national building and electrical codes and regulations. Identify zoning, building and electrical code issues, and required permits and the schedule for meeting those requirements and securing those permits. (B) Identify land use agreements required for the project and the schedule for securing the agreements and the term of those agreements. (C) Identify available component warranties for the specific project location and size. (D) Large wind systems interconnected to the electric power system will need arrangements to interconnect with the utility. Identify utility system interconnection requirements, power purchase arrangements, or licenses where required and the schedule for meeting those requirements and obtaining those agreements. (E) Describe all potential environmental impacts resulting from siting issues, construction and operation of the proposed project. Identify other site or design alternatives that were considered in your planning process. Identify all environmental compliance issues such as required permits ( i.e. , wetland fill, endangered species, etc. ) (iii) Resource assessment. The applicant must provide adequate and appropriate evidence of the availability of the renewable resource required for the system to operate as designed. Indicate the local wind resourc [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A04-10052. Public record. Not legal advice.