Solar RebatesGWP & BWP Customers - You have the best rebates in SoCal so Act Now!
Solar rebates can save you as much as 30% of the cost of a solar power system, depending upon your utility. When combined with Solar Tax Incentives, your savings can be as much as 50-70%. (To learn about Solar Tax Incentives, click here.) Collected below is information about rebates available to commercial, residential and non-profit customers throughout the Run on Sun service area. |
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Solar Rebates GenerallyA rebate is a payment typically made directly to the utility customer by the utility as an incentive for installing a solar power system. There are two types of rebates used by utilities in the Run on Sun service area: Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) and Performance Based Incentive (PBI). |
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EPBB Solar Rebates
The EPBB rebate is a one-time, lump-sum payment based on the expected as opposed to actual production of the solar power system. As part of submitting a rebate application on your behalf, Run on Sun will: analyze your site for shading, determine the optimal orientation of the system (its azimuth relative to true South and its pitch from horizontal), and select the components to be used (solar panels and inverter(s)) so that we can calculate the expected performance of your system. An EPBB incentive is generally limited to residential and small commercial/non-profit/government installations and presently ranges from $2.00 to $4.00/calculated Watt depending on the utility and the type of customer (see below).
Different utilities use different tools for determining the calculated power for a given system:
- Southern California Edison, Pasadena Water & Power and Glendale Water & Power all use the statewide calculator created for the California Solar Initiative.
- LA Department of Water & Power uses the PVWatts calculator.
- Burbank Water & Power uses yet another tool, called PowerClerk, that is only available to registered installers, like Run on Sun.
PBI Solar Rebates
A PBI rebate consists of five annual payments based on the actual performance of the solar power system. The rebate amount ranges from $0.22/kWh to $0.476/kWh, again depending upon the utility and customer type. In some cases, utilities will allow a customer to opt into a PBI rebate if their system size is in a certain range, frequently between 10 and 50 kW. One important difference with a PBI rebate is the need for an approved performance monitoring system so that the utility (and the customer!) knows exactly how much energy the solar power system is producing each month.
At Run on Sun we are familiar with the intricacies of all of these varied rebate programs and will handle all of the paperwork necessary for you to receive the greatest possible rebate.
Details and links regarding the various programs are provided in the sections below.
Specific Utility Solar Rebate Programs
Southern California Edison and the California Solar Initiative
SCE provides rebates based on the California Solar Initiative (CSI). SCE offers both EPBB and PBI rebates and divides its customers into two types: residential and non-residential (which includes all commercial, non-profit and government customers). These rebates are allocated in steps – as more rebates are reserved, the rebate amount steps down, and this can happen at any time. For example, as of July 1, 2010, the residential rebate amount was now $1.55/calculated Watt and the next step down will drop to $1.10.
SCE has a web site that tracks the present value of its rebates; access it here.
Pasadena Water and Power and the Pasadena Solar Initiative
PWP has its own program known as the Pasadena Solar Initiative or PSI. PWP offers both EPBB and PBI rebates and divides its customers into three types, each of which receives a different rebate amount: residential, commercial and government/non-profit. PWP does not have an established step system; rather, the PSI program is evaluated at least annually and rebate amounts are then adjusted to meet program goals. PWP last adjusted its rebate amounts effective July 1, 2010 and they declined at that time from $3.15/calculated Watt to $2.40/Watt for residential customers. PWP's rebates for commercial customers also declined effective July 1, 2010. Those rates are now $1.40/Watt for EPBB rebates (30kW or smaller) and $0.212/kWh for PBI rebates. PWP's rebates for non-profit customers, effective July 1, 2010 are $1.80/Watt for EPBB rebates and $0.272/kWh for PBI rebates.
PWP has a web site that tracks the present value of its rebates; access it here
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
LADWP has its own program known as the LA Solar Initiative Program. LADWP has a unique way of calculating a rebate that is based on an estimated 20 years worth of system production. Like SCE, LADWP divides its customers into only two types: residential, and non-residential (again including commercial, government, and non-profit customers). LADWP also uses a step system for allocating its rebate amounts.
LADWP has a web site that tracks the present value of its residential rebates; access it here.
LADWP has a web site that tracks the present value of its non-residential rebates; access it here.
Glendale Department of Water & Power
GWP’s Solar Solutions Program offers some of the highest rebates in all of California. Unlike other utilities, GWP simply divides its program’s rebates based on the size of the system with systems under 30kW receiving a higher, EPBB rebate and larger systems receiving a lower, PBI rebate. No distinction is made between residential and commercial customers; however, non-profits and affordable housing developments qualify for higher rebates. In addition, GWP pays a higher rebate if the customer assigns any Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to GWP. For residential customers as of July 1, 2010, this can boost the rebate to as much as $3.46/calculated Watt.
GWP has published a table showing its rebate amounts through 2012; access it here.
Burbank Department of Water & Power
BWP’s Solar Support Rebate Program is similar to GWP’s in that it provides an extra incentive to customers who assign RECs to BWP. Although BWP has not published a table like the one provided by GWP, it has announced that rebate amounts will decline annually by at least 7%. Systems under 30kW receive EPBB rebates paid in one lump-sum; systems larger than that receive five-year PBI rebate payments. No distinction is made between residential and commercial customers; however, non-profits and affordable housing developments qualify for higher rebates. As of July 1, 2010, BWP's rebate was on Step 2, with rebates as high as $3.14/Watt for EPBB rebates and $0.464/kWh for PBI rebates.
BWP has a web site that tracks the present value of its rebates; access it here.
To learn about Solar Tax Incentives, click here.
