IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 1, 2007
LOS ANGELES -The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) today (October 1, 2007) launches an expanded Solar Incentive Program, demonstrating the Department’s commitment to this clean form of energy. The increased budget, as well as new expanded guidelines was approved recently by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
The enhanced program offers greater performance-based financial incentives to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers that install solar systems on their businesses, while continuing the successful program for systems installed on homes. The approval of the plan also demonstrates the LADWP’s commitment to the environment, renewable energy, and the Los Angeles economy.
David Nahai, president, Board of Water and Power Commissioners commented, “The LADWP is fully committed to its solar program and expanding renewable energy in the City of Los Angeles. We continue to work to make solar systems more affordable to our customers. The LADWP rebates are amongst the most attractive in the State and we hope that our customers will take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by our refined and expanded solar program.”
The revised guidelines are designed to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 1, the 2006 California Solar Initiative. Under the approved legislation, the LADWP has a goal of installing 280 megawatts of customer-sited solar power by the end of 2016. The program, which began in 2000 and was to run through June 2011, will now run through 2016.
” The LADWP believes in the importance of a clean energy future and is proud to have been an early supporter of solar energy. Over the past seven years the LADWP has committed over $90 million to solar energy and with the expansion of our program, we continue to demonstrate our leadership and support of the importance of solar power,” said Robert Rozanski, acting general manager.
The LADWP expanded program will now provide increased incentives for business and commercial installations, as well as for the first time offer leasing ownership opportunities. In most cases, the expanded program will reimburse about half the cost of a typical commercial system.
The updated program also responds to the increased interest in renewable energy. The expanded annual budget of $33 million reflects the LADWP’s continued commitment to achieving its goal of obtaining 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2010. The program offers an increase of 275% in incentive funds available per year under the new guidelines.
The revised guidelines include an option for residential, commercial and industrial customers to keep the renewable energy credits (“RECs”) associated with the generation of solar power. Customers who allow the LADWP to retain the environmental attributes that are generated from installations will receive a greater financial incentive.
The LADWP fully intends to be able to serve all interested customers. Since the LADWP Solar Incentive Program began in 1999, more than 800 LADWP supported installations have been put into service. Over the last year, the program received 420 applications for new installations.
The Solar Incentive Program will continue to pay financial incentives based on the projected performance of a solar system. The program uses the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems’ design to determine the incentive payment. Interested customers can visit the LADWP Web site and use the on-line PVWatts calculating tool to estimate individual PV system output and calculate the potential rebate amount. Rebate amounts will vary depending upon the size, tilt, position and location of the solar PV system.
The program continues to include two separate residential and commercial funding categories to ensure broad and equitable distribution of incentive funds.
The program also includes $1 million to support the installation of solar in affordable housing. The LADWP also offers loans to help assist in the installation of solar systems. Businesses that wish to build “green” can take advantage of having projects fast tracked, as well as special energy efficiency programs.
Applications and program details are available on the LADWP Web site at www.ladwp.com under “Programs and Rebates” or at www.ladwp.com/solar.
Applications will only be accepted via United States Post Office regular delivery or via an overnight delivery service, such as FedEx or DHL. U.S. postmarks and package delivery postmarks will be noted for solar rebate reservations. No other form of submission will be accepted in order to apply for a rebate.
The incentive amounts are scheduled to decrease as the program reaches increasing installation benchmarks. These installation and financial benchmarks correspond to the state’s requirements for monitoring the overall installation of solar power. When a benchmark is reached, the incentive amount will decrease to the next lower level. The benchmarks and their corresponding incentive levels will be available on the LADWP web site.
The Solar Photovoltaic Rebate Program is part of the LADWP Green LA Environmental Programs that also include Energy and Water Conservation, Trees for a Green LA, in conjunction with the Million Tree Initiative, Green Power, and Recycling. Information on these environmental programs, as well as energy and water saving tips, is available at the LADWP web site www.ladwp.com or by calling 1-800-Green LA.
The largest municipally owned utility in the nation, the LADWP was established more than 100 years ago to provide water and electricity to meet the needs of the City’s residents and businesses. LADWP currently serves more than 4 million people in the City of Los Angeles
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KIM HUGHES
(213) 367-4417
(213) 792-9599 cell phone
Kimberley.Hughes@ladwp.com
