The California Solar Initiative

The California Solar Initiative offers cash back for installing solar on your home or business. Customers earn cash rebates for every watt of solar energy generated on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations.

Do I qualify?

If you buy electricity from one of California’s three investor-owned utilities (Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric), and you have roof or ground space that gets unobstructed sunlight from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round, you qualify for cash back incentives through the California Solar Initiative. Customers of municipal utilities also qualify for incentives through their municipal service provider.

Earning incentives for solar energy is simple. Just follow these five easy steps, outlined at The California Solar Initiative website.

Step 1: Energy Efficiency Audit

Complete an energy efficiency audit and make sure to take advantage of all the cost-effective ways to save energy and money in your home or business.

Step 2: Find a Solar Installer

Qualified contractors are your key to getting the most productive solar energy system for your home or business.

Step 3: Apply for Rebates

Qualified contractors will handle the CSI application process for your rebates in two or three steps.

Step 4: Install Your System

If you have received your reservation confirmation letter, you’re ready to install your system and interconnect to the utility’s power grid.

Step 5: Claim Your Incentive

When your project is installed and operational you may submit the Incentive Claim Form.

Federal Tax Credits

There’s no need to stop with San Francisco incentives and those from the State. You can also get federal tax credits for the renewable energy from your solar electric system.

On October 3, 2008 H.R.1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was passed. This landmark legislation extends critical Federal Investment Tax Credits for solar customers and other renewable energy projects. This law contains $18 billion in incentives for clean and renewable energy technologies, as well as for energy efficiency improvements.

As part of this legislation, the solar investment tax credit (ITC) has been extended for 8 years through December 31, 2016. Here are the two key provisions for homeowners doing renovations.

• The 30% federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations is extended for 8 years through December 31, 2016.
• Eliminates the $2,000 cap on the tax credit for the purchase and installations of solar electric on residential properties.

The Federal Investment Tax Credit for Residential Installations is 30 percent of net system cost, with no cap for any installation after January 1, 2009 It is a one-time credit, but may be carried forward (and possibly back) if not completely useable in the system installation tax year.

Now is the time to use local, state, and federal incentives to help you save money on solar!

Lori Katz Group provides estimates for solar installations of all types.  Please contact us for an appointment.

In our first report, we discuss one of the most important ways to go Green: by getting your household electricity from the sun. If you are lucky enough to live in San Francisco, you can receive rebates from both the city and the state that can save you thousands of dollars.

The San Francisco incentive program, GoSolarSF, coupled with the California Solar Initiative, a rebate program sponsored by the State of California, and federal tax credits could pay half the cost or more of a solar power system installed in your home or business.

Basically, anyone or any business that is on a meter and pays an electricity bill is eligible for an incentive payment from the City. If you qualify to receive a rebate through the California Solar Initiative you will qualify for San Francisco’s incentive payment.

GoSolarSF offers incentives ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for residents and up to $10,000 for businesses.  Low-income residents can qualify for an additional $7,000.

Saving on Clean Solar Power is Beautiful

In San Francisco, a typical 2.5 kilowatt (kW) residential solar installation costs about $25,000.  Depending on the level of incentive, the cost of your system could be cut in half.  Low-income residents could save 60% – 70% and pay between $7,000 and $10,000 for solar power.  Businesses and non-profits could save well more than half the cost of their systems.

For more information about GoSolarSF and how you can qualify for a San Francisco solar incentive, visit GoSolarSF or email gosolarsf[at]sfwater[dot]org  or call GoSolarSF at (415) 554-3289.

To learn about the solar potential at your address, visit the SFPUC Power Enterprise’s Solar Monitoring web page.

Lori Katz Group provides estimates for solar installations of all types.  Visit us at LoriKatzGroup.com or give us a call at (415) 252-1037.

Next time:  More on the California Solar Initiative and its incentives.