San Francisco launches nation's largest municipal solar incentive

Posted: 25 June 2008
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San Francisco, California, passed legislation last week to implement a 10-year solar incentive programme that will be the largest municipal solar programme in the United States.

People and organizations that install solar photovoltaic power systems on their properties will earn taxable solar incentives of $3,000-$6,000 for residences, up to $10,000 for businesses and non-profits, and up to $30,000 for non-profit affordable housing.

One sponsor of the legislation claims that the new incentives will significantly expand the use of solar energy in San Francisco, which currently has less than 1,000 solar rooftops.

The Solar Energy Incentive Programme is expected to launch in the near future with a budget of $3 million, enough to provide incentives for 1.5 megawatts of solar power on residential and business properties. In addition, a one-year pilot programme with a budget of $1.5 million will provide incentives to non-profit organizations and residences for low-income families.

The incentives will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis and are assignable to the building owner, the installer, or a third party. They apply only to new installations at existing buildings.