Understanding how much Solar PV you need and how much it will cost you can often be a confusing process for the homeowner. The California Center for Sustainable Energy is here to help guide you through this process in order to issue your incentive rebate effectively and efficiently. Here is how to get started with solar for your home.
Incentives from the California Solar Initiative currently cover approximately 20% of the installed cost of a photovoltaic ( PV) system for a homeowner. The Federal incentive for PV systems is 30% with no maximum credit limit for systems placed in service from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2016.
Download our Residential Guide to Installing Solar and follow these 6 easy steps to get started with your solar system for your home:
Energy Efficiency Self-Audit
Get to know where your power is going. Energy efficiency efforts prior to solar installation is optimal and may cost you less than purchasing PV alone to achieve the same energy savings. For a free self-audit, click here. If you will be working with a contractor, they can assist you with the energy audit as well.
Understand Your Electricity Consumption
Solar produces energy year round. Proper system sizing requires examining historical electricity usage. If you do not have the last 12 months of energy bills (not to fear, most do not), you can retrieve your information from SDG&E’s Energy Wave’s software, your SDG&E online account or by requesting the data via phone or email. To retrieve the last 12 months of your energy bills online, follow these instructions:
- Visit SDG&E's website and register your account to Get your Energy Consumption Data with Energy Waves, you will need your account number as well as the electric meter number from your bill
. - You will receive a password through email. Once received, enter your password information, and 'Sign On'
- Click on your electricity meter (listed at top of page), and then click the drop-down menu on the left to select Total Charges .
- Save or print this information .
- You may use our Electrical Rate Analyzer to view your production graph
All 12 months of utility data is not a requirement for participation, but it is extremely useful for understanding how many solar panel would be appropriate to install. Your contractor can assist you in retrieving this information in order to size your system.
Contact 3 or More Contractors for Bids
You can find a CSI Eligible Vendors. The 'Search by Zip Code' is the fastest way to find a solar installer near you although any eligible contractor may work on your project. The contractors typically provide free site evaluations, comprehensive quotes and payback information. Self-installations are allowed, though uncommon.
Apply for an Incentive Rebate
If you are working with a contractor, they will take care of all the paperwork for you. If not, you may begin the paperwork here. In addition to the CSI application documents, your contractor will assist you with the SDG&E Net Energy Metering Application and Interconnection Application For more information download our 
CSI Consumer Guide to the California Solar Initiative (3.12 MB).
Permits and Inspections
If you are working with a contractor, they will take care of all city/county permits and inspections. Once complete, the city/county relays the information to SDG&E to begin their interconnection process.
Claim your Incentive and Tax Credit
CCSE and the California Solar Initiative will reward you for choosing to go solar by providing you with an incentive for your solar installation. In addition to the incentive from the California Solar Initiative, solar has additional financial benefits.
- Learn more about your 30% Federal Income Tax Credits.
- Get more details on Property Tax Exemption for Solar.
- Find our more information on Net Metering.
For more information on how solar works and how much it can save, see our online presentation
Solar for Homeowners " Come to one of our free, in-person workshops, or contact a CSI Eligible Contractor.
