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Represents the largest municipal solar incentive program in the nation
3/11/08 - Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom was joined by Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting and solar industry leaders to announce the immediate implementation of a solar rebate program that makes installation of solar panels more affordable for residents, businesses and non-profits. It represents the largest municipal solar incentive program in the country.
"Several months ago, I forwarded to the Board of Supervisors a proposal to create a solar rebate program that homeowners can use to make installing solar on their homes more affordable," said Mayor Newsom. "Despite no action from the Board of Supervisors, I have directed the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to begin implementing this program. I am firmly committed to passing an ordinance establishing the rebate program on a long-term basis, either by the Board of Supervisors or the November ballot, if need be."
Solar implementation for residential homes has proved more challenging than commercial solar use. The average cost of solar installation for a San Francisco home is between $20,000-25,000. The Solar Incentive Rebate Program can increase the amount of solar in the City from 5 megawatts currently (750 rooftops) to 55 megawatts (15,000 rooftops) in 10 years. The $3 million that will be used for the solar incentive program in 2008 is expected to produce 1.5 megawatts of private sector solar.
"The Solar Energy Incentive Program will make San Francisco the solar capital of the United States," said Assessor-Recorder Ting. "Developed by the San Francisco Solar Task Force to be the nation's largest municipal incentive program, it will ensure that solar is a real clean energy alternative for consumers in the city."
The program gives a simple and direct rebate to local homes, businesses and non-profits that invest in rooftop solar installations. Applicants can only receive one of the following incentive levels:
- SFPUC renewable energy and energy efficiency funds will be used to provide incentive payments to qualified applicants ranging from $3,000-6,000 for residential installations and up to $10,000 for commercial installations.
- Incentive levels of $4,000 for solar installations completed by installers with offices in San Francisco will be provided in order to help build a sustainable local solar industry and deliver green jobs to local residents.
- A $5,000 incentive level for installations located in Environmental Justice Districts will be provided in order to boost the development of cleaner power sources in communities that have experienced the greatest burden of environmental and social costs of the City's historical power generation.
In order to keep the City’s solar incentive program application process simple, solar property owners who qualify for the state rebate program also qualify for the City’s incentive. However, the proposed ordinance also directs the program administrator to establish simple eligibility criteria for all applicants. Currently, of the 195,000 rooftops in San Francisco, only 744 rooftop solar energy systems have been installed.
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