CPS Energy: Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
Rebates for solar water heaters that are new and have an electric back-up system, up to $2,000.
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As part of a larger program designed to reduce electricity demand within its service territory, CPS Energy now offers rebates for solar water heaters to its customers. In general, any CPS Energy customer is eligible to receive the rebate; however, systems must be new and have a permanently installed electric back-up system. Rebates will be calculated according to the annual savings estimated by the system's Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) OG-300 table as applied in the San Antonio area. Estimated annual electricity savings will be multiplied by a standard rate of $0.60/kilowatt-hour (kWh) in order to determine the value of the one-time rebate. The maximum rebate is $2,000, although there are no explicit size limitations on eligible systems. The rebate is reflected as a credit on the customer's bill.
Customers will be responsible for choosing their own contractor from a list of installers registered with CPS Energy. Customers are also responsible for obtaining all applicable permissions and permits associated with the installation and operation of the system. Applicants will be required to sign over all renewable energy credits (RECs) produced by the system to CPS Energy, unless the RECs are required for LEED* certification. All applications must be submitted and approved before the installation of the system. Motors, pumps, batteries and all other devices associated with the operation of the solar water heating system will not be covered by the rebate.
The CPS Energy solar water heating rebate program is funded out of the San Antonio's Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), which also offered assistance for PV systems and residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements. The solar rebate portion (PV and SWH) is expected to have a budget of roughly $2.5 million per year through 2020, although this could vary from year to year. The city of San Antonio's Office of Environmental Policy provides updates on the STEP program.
* Click here for more information on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.