News release –
CPUC Establishes the CSI-Thermal Program with $280 Million in Rebates.
California homeowners and businesses are now eligible to receive rebates for installing solar water heating systems. Natural gas heating customers can receive rebates up to $1,875 for residential or up to $500,000 for commercial systems_ Electric water heating customers can receive up to $1,273 for residential and up to $250,000 for commercial systems. According to SunEarth President Richard Reed, these rebates, coupled with the 30% federal tax credit and volatile energy prices, make solar heating water systems more affordable than they have been in 25 years.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has recognized the value of solar water heating systems in contributing to the state’s push to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel energy sources by creating the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Thermal Program. Rebates are prescriptive and based on how much natural gas or electricity the solar water heating system displaces. Natural gas rebates are $12.82 per therm displaced while electric rebates are $0.37 per kilowatt-hour displaced.
Reed said that these incentives will make solar water heating systems more affordable to homeowners and businesses, create green jobs for Californians, stimulate local economies, and improve the state’s air quality. More information-on the CSI – Thermal Program is available at http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/energy/solar/swh.htm.
