Solar Energy Resources
and Information

California Solar Energy Initiatives

  • Incentive Type: State Rebate Program
  • Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Low-Income Residential, Agricultural, Institutional, (All customers of PG&E, SDG&E, SCE; Bear Valley eligible only for NSHP)
  • Amount: Varies by sector and system size
  • Equipment Requirements:System components must be on the CEC's list of eligible equipment. Systems must be grid-connected. Inverters and modules must each carry a 10-year warranty. PV modules must be UL 1703-certified Inverters must be UL 1741-certified, and tested by the Energy Commission
  • Installation Requirements:Systems must be installed by appropriately licensed California solar contractors or self-installed by the system owner.
  • Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Remains with customer-generator
  • Web Site: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/solar

Summary:

In January 2006, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted a program -- the California Solar Initiative (CSI) -- to provide more than $3 billion in incentives for solar-energy projects with the objective of providing 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity by 2016. The CPUC manages the solar program for non-residential projects and projects on existing homes ($2+ billion), while the CEC oversees the New Solar Homes Partnership, targeting the residential new construction market (~$400 million). Together, these two programs comprise the effort to expand the presence of photovoltaics (PV) throughout the state, Go Solar California.

Originally limited to customers of the state’s investor-owned utilities, the CSI was expanded in August 2006, as a result of Senate Bill 1, to encompass municipal utility territories as well. Municipal utilities are required to offer incentives beginning in 2008 (nearly $800 million); many already offer PV rebates.

Expected Performance-Based Buydowns for systems under 30 kW (EPBB) began in 2007 at $2.50/W AC for residential and commercial systems (adjusted based on expected performance) and $3.25/W AC for government entities and nonprofits (adjusted based on expected performance). The incentive levels decline as the aggregate capacity of PV installations increases. Incentives will be awarded as a one-time, up-front payment based on expected performance, which is calculated using equipment ratings and installation factors such as geographic location, tilt, orientation and shading. Click here for current incentive levels for each utility. Systems under 30 kW also have the option of opting for a performance-based incentive rather than the incentive based on expected performance.  

Performance-Based Incentives (PBI) for systems 30 kW and larger began in 2007 at $0.39/kWh for the first five years for taxable entities, and $$0.50/kWh for the first five years for government entities and nonprofits. The incentive levels decline as the aggregate capacity of PV installations increases. PBI will be paid monthly based on the actual amount of energy produced for a period of five years. Residential and small commercial projects under the 30 kW threshold can also choose to opt in to the PBI rather than the upfront Expected Performance-Based Buydown approach. However, all installations of 30 kW or larger must take the PBI. Click here for current incentive levels for each utility

The program is managed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

Click here for a fact sheet on the California Solar Initiative.

CPUC Program Administrators:

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
Web Site: www.pge.com/solar
E-mail Address: solar@pge.com
Contact Person: Program Manager, California Solar Initiative Program
Telephone: 877-743-4112
Fax: 415-973-2510
Mailing Address:
PG&E Integrated Processing Center
P.O. Box 7265
San Francisco, CA 94120-7265

   

California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE)

Web Site: www.energycenter.org  
E-mail Address: csi@energycenter.org
Contact Person: John Supp, Program Manager  
Telephone: 858-244-1177/(866)-sdenergy
Fax: 858-244-1178  
Mailing Address:  
California Center for Sustainable Energy  
Attn: SELFGEN Program Manager
8690 Balboa Avenue Suite 100  
San Diego, CA 92123  

 

Southern California Edison (SCE)  

Web Site: www.sce.com/rebatesandsavings/CaliforniaSolarInitiative  
E-mail Address: greenh@sce.com  
Contact Person: Program Manager, California Solar Initiative Program
Telephone: 1-800-799-4177  
Fax: 626-302-6253  
Mailing Address:  
Southern California Edison  
6042A Irwindale Avenue  
Irwindale, CA 91702