City of San Francisco – Solar Energy Incentive Program 

San Francisco City and county, through the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, provide incentives to residents and businesses who install solar panel systems on their properties. Systems must be at least one kilowatt in capacity (the average home system is between four and six kilowatts), with no max size to participate in the program. Varying incentive levels are available for residential, commercial, low-income residential, non-profit, or multi-family residential owned and operated by a non-profit.

Program Overview:
State: California
Incentive Type: Local Rebate Program
Building Types: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Multi-Family Residential, Low-Income Residential
Amount: Residential: $2,000 – $2,750
Low-income Residential: $7,000 – 10,000
Multi-family residential owned by a non-profit: $3,500/kW
Commercial: $1,500 per kW
Non-residential buildings owned by a non-profit: $1,500/kW
Max Incentive: Multi-family residential owned by a non-profit: $60,000
Commercial: $10,000
Non-residential buildings owned by a non-profit: $120,000
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: City of San Francisco
Program Budget: $3 million for July 2011 – June 2012
Start Date: 12/11/2007
Web Site: http://sfwater.org/index.aspx?page=133

City of San Francisco – GreenFinanceSF   

In 2010, the city of San Francisco began the country’s largest Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program called GreenFinanceSF. The program is funded through a mix of bonds and funds granted to the city through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and is being managed by Renewable Funding. GreenFinanceSF allows homeowners and businesses to borrow money from the city, and pay back the loans through a special  evaluation on their property tax bills. If the owners of the building changes, the repayments remain with the property and are transfered to the new owner.

Program Overview:

State: California
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Eligible Products: Water Heaters, Furnaces , Boilers, Central Air conditioners, Programmable Thermostats, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows
Eligible Renewable Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics
Applicable Properties: Commercial, Residential
Terms: Minimum: $5,000
Residential Max: $50,000 maximum, or 10% of the assessed value of the property (whichever is lower)
Commercial Max: 10% of the assessed value of the property
Loans are paid back over a period of up to 20 years through property tax bills
Funding Source: Bonds, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
Program Amount: $150 million

Alameda Power & Telecom offers an incentive program to residents who install solar power systems on their homes. Rebates are calculated a per-watt AC basis will decrease over the life of the program which is on a 10-year schedule.  Each year, as the program progresses, has a lower incentive amount and a higher maximum capacity requirement for installations.  Which means if you want to get in on the rebate program you should act fast to get the full benefits from the program.  During the 2012 year, the rebate level is $2.09 per watt for systems less than 50 kilowatts (kW). The average home system is in the 6 kilowatt range.

Quick overview of the program:

State: California
Incentive Type: Utility Rebate Program
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Photovoltaics (solar panel systems)
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Residential
Amount: 2012 Levels
Systems less than 50 kW: $2.09/W
Systems 50 kW or larger: $0.24/kWh for first 5 years
System Requirements: All flat plate photovoltaic modules and inverters must be on the California Energy Commission’s approved list. A minimum 10 year warranty is also required.
Installation Requirements: Must be interconnected and installed by a licensed contractor
Who Owns the Renewable Energy Credits: Alameda Power & Telecom
Program Budget: $4.2 million over ten years
Expiration Date: December 31, 2017
Web Site: http://www.alamedamp.com

For more information on solar in Alameda check out our list of Alameda Solar Companies.

Burbank Residential & Commercial Solar Support Program   

Homeowners who use the Burbank Water and Power utilities can qualify for a rebate for going solar on their homes.  The rebate amount is based upon the amount of production your home’s system is projected to generate.  The maximum payout for this program is $400,000 although these types of payments would never be applicable to individual home owners.  Payments of this size would only go to very large systems that are typical on schools or commercial properties.  Homeowners with systems under 30 kilowatts (typical solar system sizes for home owners is around 6 kilowatts) can get a single up front payment from the rebate program or get monthly payments from the program.  The rebates are designed to end in 2016 with your monthly payments declining until your production capacity goals are met.  Homeowners can receive a higher payment if they agree to transfer ownership of the renewable energy credits to the utility company for the life of the project.

More information is available on the Burbank Water and Power website:

John Joyce
Burbank Water & Power
164 W. Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
Phone: (818) 238-3653
Fax: (818) 238-3737
E-Mail: jjoyce@ci.burbank.ca.us
Web Site: http://www.burbankwaterandpower.com

Riverside Residential (PV) System Rebate Program

Although the Riverside Residential Photovoltaic (PV) System rebate program is on hold for the time being…When it is live the program provides incentives to Riverside Public Utilities customers who purchase and install qualifying photovoltaic (solar panels) systems on their rooftops. The program offers a $2.50 per watt rebate but cannot go over 50% of the project’s cost and not exceed a total rebate of $15,000, whichever is less. Riverside Public Utilities will also give as much as $250 towards City of Riverside Planning and Building and Safety fees for ever installation.

Riverside Program Overview:
State: California
Incentive Type: Utility Rebate Program
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Photovoltaics (solar panels)
Applicable Sectors: Residential
Amount: Program is on hold
Maximum Incentive: $15,000 or 50% of project cost, whichever is less
Eligible System Size: No size restrictions
Equipment Requirements: Must use CEC-certified PV modules and inverters
Requirements: Systems must be interconnected and net-metered
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Riverside Public Utilities
Summary:
Unfortunately funding for this program has been exhausted through July 2012. More funding may come available after July 2012.  Contact the utility for more information.

Find more on local Riverside Solar Companies.

Anaheim has three major rebate and incentive programs for home owners who are thinking about going solar.

They are as follows:

Green Building Rebate Program

This program is designed to offset the cost of installation, construction and upgrades for energy efficient equipment.  Residential, commercial and industrial developments can qualify for the Green Building Rebate.

Interested customers must contact Anaheim Public Utilities to set up an initial consultation and see if you project qualifies for the program.

AUP Contact Info:
Earl Lasley
Anaheim Public Utilities
Anaheim City Hall
201 S. Anaheim Blvd, Suite 801.
Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 765-4259
Phone 2: (714) 765-3300
E-Mail: elasley@anaheim.net

Low-Interest Energy Efficiency Loan Program 

This loan program isn’t for solar but it is for great energy efficiency projects and purchases.  The program gives you a loan to develop energy efficiency projects for up to $350,000 (or ten times the estimated amount of savings, whichever is less).  The loans are given at a low 5% interest rate and repayment terms of 8 years.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

Lighting changes

Weatherization

Cogeneration

Management systems

HVAC system upgrades

Alternate energy systems

Pump, process or refrigeration system improvements

Other projects that conserve energy equal to 15 percent of normal usage or manage load

Residential Home Efficiency Rebate Program 

While this program isn’t exactly for solar either it is still a great rebate program available to home owners for an array of energy efficient project.  So, if you are thinking about other energy efficiency projects or appliances for your home.  Look into this program for the following savings:

Refrigerator: $50
Refrigerator Recycling: $50
Dishwasher: $50
Room A/C: $50
Central A/C: $100/ton
High Performance windows: $1/sq ft
Air Duct Repair: 50% of repair cost
Ceiling Fan: $20
Whole House Fan: $100
Attic Fan: $30
Pool Pump Motor: $100
CFL Bulbs: up to 5 for free
Dusk to Dawn Light: free

To read more about going solar in Anaheim click here:  Anaheim Solar

Anaheim Solar Companies

More info on Anaheim, CA