California

Funding for this program is currently exhausted through 2013. The summary below describes incentives as they were previously available. Incentive levels for the next funding round are still unknown. Contact the utility for more information.  

City of Gridley is providing rebates of $2.80/W for their customers installing PV systems. Individual rebates are limited to $5,600 per system, and the utility will award a total of $41,700 in rebates per year. 

The New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP), is administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC) and provides incentives for solar on new home construction. To be eligible for the NSHP incentive, the home must receive electricity from one of the following investor-owned utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Bear Valley Electric Service.

Launched on January 2, 2007, the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) is a 10-year, $400 million program to encourage solar in new homes by working with builders and developers to incorporate into the homes high levels of energy efficiency and high-performing solar systems. The NSHP specifically targets the market-rate and affordable housing single-family and multifamily sectors, with the goal of achieving 360 MW of installed solar electric capacity on new homes, and to have solar electric systems on 50% of all new homes built in California by the end of 2016.

Incentives are determined by the housing type and the expected performance of the system, which depends on factors like equipment efficiency, geographic location, orientation, tilt, shading, and time-dependent valuation. These factors are then compared to a reference system in San Jose, California. To qualify for incentives, the residential dwelling unit must achieve certain energy efficiency levels (please refer to the New Solar Homes Partnership Guidebook for specific details and program requirements). The incentive is paid once the system is installed, operational, and has met all program requirements.

There are four incentive levels available:

Tier I Incentive: Expected Performance Based Incentive (EPBI) level as of November 6, 2014 is $1.00/watt. This applies to projects that have an energy efficiency compliance margin of at least 15 percent better than the Building Energy Efficiency Standards as specified in Chapter II, Section B of the guidebook.

Tier II Incentive: The EPBI level as of November 6, 2014 is $1.50/watt. This applies to projects that have an energy efficiency compliance margin of at least 30 percent better than the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and a space-cooling compliance margin of at least 30 percent better than the Building Energy Efficiency Standards as specified in Chapter II, Section B of the guidebook.

Residential Areas of Affordable Housing Projects: The EPBI amount as of November 6, 2014 is $1.85/watt. This applies to affordable housing projects of all sizes.

Common Areas of Affordable Housing Projects: There is currently no incenitve for solar electric systems serving the common areas of affordable housing projects.
 

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) accepted applications for photovoltaic (PV) rebates throughout July 2013. Winners were determined through a lottery on August 12, 2013. Only systems under 30 kW were accepted for this round. 

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) offers customers either an up-front capacity-based rebate for photovoltaic (PV) systems, or a production-based incentive (PBI) with a maximum payment of $400,000 per year. These incentives decline over time as defined capacity goals are met, eventually declining to zero by the end of 2016. The program may change at any time to address market conditions. 

The highest rebate, Tier 3, is for schools, non-profits, and affordable housing and is available for only one project per fiscal year. Otherwise, these projects will qualify for the commercial rebate structure. Owners of systems smaller than 30 kW CEC-AC in capacity have the option to receive a one-time up-front payment (EPBB) based on the expected performance determined by BWP's PowerClerk rebate application software. Otherwise, these customers may elect to receive the PBI for five years of monthly payments, based on production. PV systems over 30 kW CEC-AC in size are only eligible to receive the PBI. Incentives for systems over 30 kW, however, have been suspended through August 2013.

Beginning January 1, 2010, all PV systems must include a BWP-provided performance meter. PBI customers must pay for the meter and any other meter-related equipment. Also beginning January 1, 2010, customers may use approved leasing as a financing option. In addition, leases less than 20 years are subject to a pro-rated rebate.

All customers applying for a BWP solar incentive are required to first conduct an energy-efficiency audit of the building where the solar system would be installed. Newly constructed residential and commercial buildings must achieve at least a 15% reduction in the building’s combined space heating, space cooling and water heating energy compared to Title 24 standards. Lighting is also included in this comparison for commercial buildings. Additionally, each appliance and any equipment provided by the builder must meet Energy Star criteria if this designation is applicable for that appliance or equipment. There is a limit of one solar rebate per customer for the life of the program.

Bear Valley Electric Service is providing an incentive for their residential customers to install photovoltaic (PV) systems. Systems must be sized to provide no more than 90% of the calculated or estimated annual energy consumption of the property. Incentives will step down overtime as participation milestones are met. Individual incentives will be adjusted from the base incentive rate based on expected performance. 

This program is fully subscribed through fiscal year 2013/2014. New applicants will be placed on a wait list in the order they were received. 

Azusa Light & Water provides rebates to customers who install photovoltaic (PV) systems through the utility's Solar Partnership Program. The rebate amount for 2013 is $1.55 per rated watt. As a condition of receiving the rebate, customers must transfer ownership of all renewable energy credits (REC) associated with the system. If the customer elects to retain ownership of the RECs, the customer will receive not receive a rebate. Customers may lease the system from a third party and still qualify for a rebate if the following conditions are met:

The term of the lease is at least 20 years.

The system is operated at the expected generation capacity for the full 20-year term.

The customer has an opportunity to own the system after the 20-year term.

The lease payments may not be based on energy production from the equipment, which could be interpreted as a retail sale of electricity.

The incentive payment will be paid directly to the customer, not the third party

This Program is currently closed. Rebate reservation period will reopen in January 2014. The summary below describes the program as it existed for Fiscal Year 2012 - 2013. See the web site above for more information.

Anaheim Public Utilities offers a rebate to its residential and business customers who install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. For fiscal year 2012-2013 (July 1 - June 30) the incentive for residential customers was $2.60/watt AC. For commercial installations up to 30 kW, the incentive was $1.82/watt AC. For commercial between 30 kW and 1 MW the incentive is based on actual performance and is $0.27/kWh for first 5 years of production 

Incentives are not to exceed historical (most recent complete year) or projected (Title 24) needs of the customer at the site of installation. Incentive levels will decline annually through the end of 2016. To qualify, PV systems must have a minimum capacity of 1,000 watts. To optimize the solar energy installation, residential applicants can participate in the Home Utility Check-Up program offered by Anaheim Public Utilities.

The 2019 Express Energy Solutions Program (ESS) provides deemed (pre-determined) financial rebates for the installation of qualified energy efficient equipment at Non-Residential and Multi-Family Properties. ESS provides an efficiency option for customers and contractors who have adequate expertise to select their own equipment and can locate or provide installation services.

Program steps: 

Pre-approval required for rebates larger than $5,000. Apply online with quote, complete project within 120 days.

For rebates under $5,000, no pre-approval is required, apply online within 90 days of installation with invoice.

Required Documents:

Utility Bill
Spec Sheets
Invoice/Proposal
W9 for payee
CA590 for payee

Incentive by Category:

Lighting- TLED, Hi Bay, Exit signs. Exterior lighting, Lighting controls, Refrigeration case lighting
HVAC equipment- Package unit and split system replacements
Refrigeration-Anti-sweat heater controls, High efficiency fan motors, Auto door closers, Strip curtains
Commercial food service equipment- Combination ovens, Convection ovens, Dishwashers, Demand ventilation control, Fryers, Glass door freezers, Glass door refrigerators, Griddles, Holding food cabinets, Ice makers, Solid door freezers, Solid door refrigerators, Steam cookers

Program Status: Open

Our application fee for this program is: Prescriptive $250

The last date this program information was reviewed is: 9/9/19

The original source of this content and information can be found on the program website:  https://www.smud.org/en/Business-Solutions-and-Rebates/Business-Rebates/Express-Energy-Solutions

Silicon Valley Power (SVP) offers a variety rebates to its business customers, capped at a maximum total incentive of $500,000 per customer per year. Rebates are available for the following:

HVAC systems  

Commercial Washing Machines 

Food Service Equipment 

Lighting  

VFDs

Data Center and PC Measures

In addition, Customer Directed Rebates are available for energy efficiency related projects that decrease electrical usage and may not otherwise fit into the other rebate offers. 

In conjunction with the California Department of Public Utilities, Savings by Design offers services and incentives to help owners and designers of commercial buildings raise energy performance. Qualified non-residential new construction and renovation projects in the service area of one of the five participating utilities are eligible to participate. The five participating utilities are Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company. Owners and designers are eligible for incentives if the facility's efficiency is 10% better than Title 24 standards.

Savings by Design has two basic approaches through which to participate: the Whole Building Approach and the Systems Approach. Through the Whole Buildings Approach owners may be eligible for incentives of up to $150,000 and design teams may receive up to $50,000. The Systems Approach evaluates individual efficiency improvements to qualifying systems. Incentives are based on annualized kWh savings, therm savings, and peak demand reduction. Owners are eligible for incentives up to $150,000. All technologies are eligible for peak demand incentives, with the exception of hot water systems. In addition, design assistance is available to owners and design teams. 

Interested customers must contact the utility early in the design process to determine funding availability and start technical and design assistance. 

Roseville Electric offers incentives for its commercial customers to increase the efficiency of existing facilities. Rebates are offered for energy efficient lighting equipment, HVAC system improvements, and new construction projects.  Energy saving measures not covered through Roseville's prescriptive rebate program may be eligible for incentives through the Customized Rebate Program. Customers interested in pursuing rebates should contact Roseville Electric before making purchases to ensure eligibility and rebate fund availability.