CPS Energy: Solar PV Rebate Program
Rebates for solar panels up to $2.50/W for the first 25kW and $1.65/W for any additional capacity installed
Learn more about this energy rebate or
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CPS Energy, San Antonio's municipal utility, offers rebates to customers who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their homes, schools, or businesses. Third-party owned systems are not eligible for rebates (a customer must make the upfront financial investment). Final rebate levels will be determined upon a final inspection from the utility. Unfavorable shading, angles or direction may influence the final rebate amount. The rebate is available to all CPS Energy customers for systems of at least 1000 watts (equivalent to 1 kilowatt) AC. CPS Energy will offer special considerations for systems larger than 100 kilowatts (kW), but such systems remain eligible for rebates.
Residential Customers who use local, registered CPS Energy Installers
Amount: $2.00/W up to $25,000 maximum.
On an individual basis, rebate eligibility will be determined by a pre-inspection of the site. In order to ensure that rebated systems are efficient, safe, and productive, numerous equipment and installation requirements apply. System owners are responsible for obtaining all applicable permits and permissions required to install and operate the system and all work must be performed in accordance with all applicable federal, state, local, and manufacturer's codes and standards. CPS publishes interconnection guidelines for systems smaller than 25 kW. Rules for larger systems will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Rebate recipients will be required to sign an agreement handing over all of the renewable energy credits (RECs) produced by the system to CPS Energy.
The CPS Energy PV rebate program is funded out of the larger Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) which also offered assistance for solar thermal 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. See the May 2009 San Antonio Council Summary for additional information on the STEP program as a whole.
For further information on the solar rebate program please consult the website listed at the top of this page.
*CPS defines "local" as being located in CPS Energy territory with a CPS Energy electric account.