SF Water has just posted the application and instructions in a PDF for the San Francisco Solar Incentive Program. We have been told that officially the SFPUC begins accepting applications for the “pilot program,” on April 1st, so this thing says “draft” all over it left and right. I would imagine though that it’s not going to change in a week, which could be wrong as it has changed many time so far.
There is a number provided on the application, 415-554-1536. I called it and a very nice and helpful lady picked up halfway through the first ring, and was extremely knowledgeable about the subsidy. A sample of the questions I asked:
Q. A Landlord installs a system, does he get the business or the Residential credits?
A. It follows the PG&E tariff (the power bill). Residential tariff, residential subsidy. Commercial tariff, commercial subsidy.
Q. Is that “officially accepting applications” date for sure? April 1st?
A. Yes, we officially accept applications at 8PM on March 31st.
Q. Where can I find “local installers.”
A. The answer I got here is not 100%. At first I was told the incorrect site so I called back to alert them of the danger of someone snapping up that unregistered url. I was informed they actually meant HERE, where you have to dig around in a fairly unintuitive spot to find THIS. This sort of leaves it up to you to determine if a local installer is “local” or not, which personally I think is going to lead to trouble. I have faith that they’re clean up that loose end at some point.
BTW, Upon finding they weren’t interested in the url I originally thought, I promply snapped it up :-)
Q. When does the 10 year version of the incentive go back on the docket for the board of supervisors?
A. That is up to the president of the board of supervisors.
Important changes, or at least the ones that I have notice, are:
1. The weird $6000 subsidy for using installers that graduate from a special SF training program has *smartly* been removed, as it would have multiplied this negative effect on San Francisco Solar Energy by a large multiple.
2. Eligibility for local installers has changed yet again to now be “a business holding a current San Franciso business registration certificate showing a San Francisco address as the place of business. My job is still safe :-)
3. A big one: You can now apply as you sign your solar contract to RESERVE your rebate, just like the state credit. If the budget runs out, reservations get you first come, first served access to any new budgeting. The reservation lasts for 12 months.
4. The budget rolls over into 2009 if it is not completely used.
Here is the San Francisco Solar Incentive Program Application and Instructions at sfwater.org
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1 SA Solar Incentives - How it really works? | 1 Block Off the Grid // Jul 7, 2008 at 11:01 am
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