Path-Q Solar
What risk does beginning construction before incentive approval create?
Answer
Beginning construction before required incentive approval or reservation may make the project ineligible, reduce the incentive, or require repayment if program rules treat construction start as disqualifying. The exact trigger can be a contract, deposit, equipment delivery, site work, installation, or another defined event, so approval should be confirmed before any potentially qualifying work begins.
Key points
- Approval, reservation, and payment may be separate steps with different deadlines.
- A signed contract or paid deposit can sometimes count as project commencement, depending on the program.
- Written confirmation should identify which activities are permitted before approval.
What it depends on
- The specific incentive program's start-date and preapproval rules
- What work or payment the program defines as beginning construction
- Whether approval is conditional, capacity-limited, or subject to later documentation
Risks and trade-offs
- Delaying work may affect the construction schedule or equipment availability.
- Proceeding early may expose the homeowner to the full project cost if the incentive is denied.
- A sales statement that approval is likely is not a substitute for written program confirmation.
Information you may need
- The program name and current written eligibility rules
- The planned contract, deposit, delivery, and construction dates
- Written confirmation of which actions are allowed before approval
Your next step
What to do next
Obtain written confirmation from the program administrator or authorized administrator before signing, paying, or authorizing any activity that could be treated as construction commencement.
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