Go Solar in SF
In San Francisco, Solar Installation is truly affordable
In San Francisco, there’s never been a better time to go solar. Incentives from PG&E, the Federal Stimulus, the state of California and from the city of SF itself, make going solar now truly worth the wait. This page highlights the best and brightest of the incentives.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Savings
Energy Partners provides income-qualified customers free energy education, weatherization measures and energy-efficient appliances to reduce gas and electric usage.
PG&E has a host of incentives for appliances & improvements. When you buy energy efficient appliances, you can get immediate rebates.
Solar Installation Rebates
PG&E works with the California Solar Initiative (CSI) to manage and administer the rebates for installing solar in your home. You will need a free energy audit and you will need to apply for the CSI program, as well as use an approved solar contractor. They provide all the information and links you need on the site. Then you get paid back in cash, through a per wattage step-based program. The amount can vary from $2.00/watt-$.20/watt. This means you will receive CASH per watt you install if you apply and are approved.
Rebates for Low Income Housing
The Multi-Family Affordable Solar Housing Program (MASH) is also managed by PG&E and CSI’s Low Income Program. Basic summary: If you rent to low-income tenants (unemployed, retired, etc.), and you install solar for their metering unit while using graduates from the City’s Workforce Development program, you receive an additional $9,000 CASH upfront per unit. There are other opportunities as well.
PDF on the Qualifications required for the Low Income Program.
Workshops & Education
PG&E ‘s Solar Education program offers free workshops for homeowners and solar installers throughout the year in downtown San Francisco.
Solar Living Institute The Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote sustainable living through inspirational environmental education.
Grid Alternatives GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training.
Federal Stimulus Package
30% Tax Credit on Solar Arrays and Energy Efficiency The most celebrated national incentive is the federal tax credit for solar systems that was expanded on Jan. 1, 2009. The credit covers 30 percent of the system cost and can be coupled with state, local and utility incentives. This means you get 30% CASH back or TAX CREDIT (your choice) on your solar investment immediately. This tax credit applies to solar arrays and solar thermal systems as well as smaller appliances and energy efficiency measures.
Cost Break Down
Solar Power Rocks! With PG&E, CSI and the Federal Stimulus package helping the deal, what might a cost breakdown look like in real numbers? Check out Solar Power Rocks/California breakdown of costs for a sample home and solar array.
San Francisco City Loan Program
In 2010, the deals for going solar don’t stop with rebates. Now there is a SF city loan program in place that will make the tiny pain of the upfront cost all but disappear.
Green Finance SF Green Finance SF is available for interested home and business owners to finance privately-owned energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements. The repayment obligation is attached to the property, rather than the individual, and is paid back through property taxes over the life of the financing. The Green Finance SF program is based on state approved Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bill. In general, local governments (such as cities and counties) that choose to offer PACE financing must be authorized to do so by state law. The State of California authorized PACE in 2008.
Payments will be made through a special tax on the participant’s property tax bill. If the owner moves out of their house during the 20-year repayment period, the property tax assessment and the PV system remain with the property. This removes one key disincentive for PV.
Green Finance SF Program participants are required to apply to the California Solar Initiative (CSI) rebate program, which will help off set the total cost of the solar project. The Green Finance SF program does not reduce the amount of the rebate available through the CSI program. Participants should consult a tax professional to determine whether income deductions or tax credits may be claimed on personal taxes.
