San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Program Info

From VoteSolar.org

“…Second update is on the proposed SF solar rebate program. Yesterday, the Budget and Finance Committee discussed the measure for the 7th time. The upshot: the Committee refered, without recommendation, two options for the full Board’s consideration on its June 3 meeting. The options are:

• The full $3 million/yr for solar rebates, as recommended by the task force and initially approved by the Board several months ago;
• measure sponsored by Supervisor Mirkarimi, of which the exact details are hazy as of this writing, but we understand to be a $1.5 million pilot, with half the funds for unencumbered rebates, and half reserved for non-profits and low-income residential units of various sorts.

Now, we love non-profits (as we are one ourselves) but note that non-profits can’t take advantage of the 30% investment tax credit, and multi-family residential units face ownership and metering challenges that make solar retrofits practically impossible. In short, these rebates are targeted to very, very difficult solar markets, and we don’t expect much utilization of those funds. If the funds aren’t used, the program’s ability to stimulate workforce development and reduce reliance on fossil fuels will be reduced accordingly.
The third option, of course, is no solar rebate program at all. Supervisor McGoldrick has also introduced a measure that would prohibit city funds going for rebates on privately-owned buildings. Once we get the details, we will send out an update on next steps shortly.

Onwards-

The Vote Solar Initiative”

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