San Francisco Solar Energy Incentive Program Info

The SF Solar Incentive program was formulated and introduced by the SF Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 11th, 2007.  This program was intended to be a one-year introduction, pending approval by the SF Board of Supervisor for the plan to be extended over a ten-year term.  On February 26th, the Board of Supervisors heard the proposal, considered its provisions, but did not approve the Solar Incentive Program, as submitted by the SF PUC. During the hearing, however, it amended the program to define a “local solar energy installer” as one who’s PRINCIPAL office is located in the City of San Francisco. [The SFPUC had presented the defining requirement for being considered a “local installer” as a company that has “an” office in San Francisco, with an SF Business License, and “pays SF payroll tax.”

Since the Board of Supervisors did not approve the plan, it was decided to send it back to the relevant City Review Committees to assess the merits for reconsideration by the Board. At the moment, the Solar Incentive program is being reviewed by the “Rules” Committee; later, it will be analyzed by other teams, such as the “Land Use & Economic Development” Committee. The reviewed program is expected to be re-debated by the Board of Supervisors on June 10th.

Meanwhile, the SFPUC is going to proceed with the implementation of the Incentive program as it was initially proposed by it, on a “pilot” basis. The SFPUC has earmarked a $3M fund for the incentive. The “pilot” program is subject to being replaced once the Board of Supervisors makes a determination as to how the final version will be described.

For now, the SFPUC will start to promote this program through the media, brochures, transit ads, possibly with PG&E/Dept. of Water and Assessor billing inserts, and the internet/web. The Department of Environment also will publicize the program on its web page, the SF Solar Map page and through other literature and media.

Additionally, the SFPUC plans to hold “open house” events to educate neighborhood communities about the availability of the incentives. They will start with the “Environmental Justice districts, Zips 94124 & 94107.

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