San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has announced a new incentive program

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has announced a new incentive program for residential and commercial property owners. The program is possibly the most progressive we’ve seen from the SFPUC thus far, offering incentives to commercial property owners as high as $10,000 and to residential home owners up to $5,000 based on one of the following three categories; the Basic Incentive, the City Installer Incentive, and an Environmental Justice Incentive.

“Commercial property Incentive” owners are offered a $1,500 per kW rebate capped at $10,000 as long as the property is within PG&E territory or in the City or County of San Francisco and are able to prove the proposed system meets California Solar Initiative (CSI) requirements.

The “Basic Incentive” is a $3,000 rebate available to any residence installing PV Solar on an existing building located in PG&E territory or within the City or County of San Francisco. Incentives will be issued on a per meter basis. To be eligible you must provide documentations which demonstrates that the system conforms with CSI program requirements if not participating in CSI.

The “City Installer Incentive” has the same requirements as the Basic Incentive, but if the Solar installer has a physical location in San Francisco then there is a $4,000 incentive to be issued.

The “Environmental Justice Incentive” is a $5,000 incentive available to residences that fulfill the Basic Incentive requirements and are within either of the following zip codes: 94107 or 94124.

The incentives are rewarded on a first come first served basis and qualification for the different incentives are based on an either/or principle until the incentive budget is exhausted. Residences or businesses who committed to a solar installation after the December 11, 2007 program announcement will be eligible for these incentives.

With the Federal Tax Credit expiring at the end of 2008, now is the time for San Franciscans to take advantage of these available subsidies to lower the initial cost of an on-site Solar Power Electric System and to start generating your own power!