Understand the basics...

Complete a quick, free energy 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 website, 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 www.SDGE.com
     Click on 'Ways To Save Energy' under 'For Your Home>>'
     Click on 'Energy Waves'
     Click on 'Register Now'

You will receive a password through email. Once received, enter your password information, and then click 'Sign On'. Once signed in, 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.

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 as well and will want to see it in order to size your system.

The Energy Bill Tool will show you how your electric bill is structured and how much you are being billed at different tiers. This is done by entering 12 months of your electrical usage data from Energy Waves.
 
It will also calculate how much solar you would need to install in order to eliminate certain tiers of your energy bill. 

Understand Rates and Tariffs

Tariff schedules are the effective rates, charges, and rules of the Utility. When commercial and industrial customers start service with the Utility, they are assigned to an appropriate tariff for electric and gas service. This is shown as the "Service/Rate" on the electric and gas bill.

Analysis of utility tariffs applicable to Distributed Generation, and determining if a system will qualify for a particular tariff, is a vital part of a project planning and feasibility study. Impact of changing tariffs should be fully understood before making a decision to proceed with the project.

Note on tariffs: customers can request a tariff/rate analysis from their utility account representative to see if they would benefit from being on a different rate.

To learn more, please visit the SDG&E Rates & Tariffs Website.

Understand Types of CSI Incentives:
There are two incentive paths available to consumers: Expected Performance Based Buydown (EPBB) and Performance Based Incentive (PBI). The EPBB is based on expected system size and is paid out all at once. The PBI is based on actually system performance and the incentive is paid out on a monthly basis for five years (60 months).

Assess System Size
determine intent of system (net out, shave off, etc.) TAYLOR WILL WRITE

Quick Way to Calculate Solar Size
One kW of Solar will produce 1500 kWh of solar power per year.
1kW solar = 1500 kWh of solar power
To estimate the size of system to zero out your energy bill, take your annual kWh production and divide by 1500. 

Quick Way to Calculate Solar Size
One kW of Solar will produce 1500 kWh of solar power per year.
1kW solar = 1500 kWh of solar power 
To estimate the size of system to zero out your energy bill, take your annual kWh production and divide by 1500.

Net Metering
Net Energy Metering ( NEM) is a program for SDG&E® homeowners and businesses with solar electric or wind generating energy systems.  Through interconnection with the power grid and your time-of use meter, the net difference between the energy generated by your renewable energy system and the energy you receive from SDG&E is measured.  If you produce more energy than you use, you can bank the credits and use them at a later time when your system is not fully meeting your electricity needs.  You are allowed 100% of your total annual consumption of the energy that you have stored on the grid.  At this time, you cannot “sell” any surplus energy you may have stored back to SDG&E at the end of your 12-month cycle.

This annual program automatically renews at the end of each 12-month cycle.  If you receive both natural gas and electric service from SDG&E, you will receive two bills; one for natural gas and one for electricity. You will need to continue paying both your gas and your electric bills each month. If you are a low-usage customer (under 20 kW,) then you have the option to pay your electric bill just once every twelve months.

Free Monthly Workshops - Solar for Homeowners
CCSE offers free monthly workshops that teach customers how to understand their energy bill, gain a basic understanding of solar and calculate possible system sizes. To register for the Solar for Homeowners workshop, visit the Workshops & Events Calendar.

  Identify eligible equipment

All equipment musst be on the eligible equipment list in order to qualify for a rebate. Make sure your equipment is listed before starting the application process.

  Find an eligible solar equipment vendor

 Search CCSE's Vendor Database to choose form a list of eligible vendors.

  Reserve your incentive by filling out CSI Reservation Request Form

The Reservation Request Form can be complete online using PowerClerk. Make sure that you mail in the complete Reservation Request form and all paperwork when finished.

You may also download this form by clicking here.

  Attain permits and complete inspections

    a.    SDG&E
    b.    City

  Install your system

When your system is installed, contact SDG&E and fill out the Application for Interconnection Form to get your system connected to the grid.

  Submit Incentive Claim Form

The Incentive Claim Form can be complete online using PowerClerk. You may also download this form by clicking here.

  Possible CCSE Inspections

One out of seven installations are inspected. The solar system owner needs to be present during the time of the inspection. If your project is chosen for inspection, you will be contacted by a CCSE representative.

  Collect your incentive

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.

Federal Tax Credit
The Federal Government provides tax credits of 30% of the system cost, minus the received incentive. Please click here for more information.

Note: Upon project completion, consult certified public accountant to determine eligibility for solar investment tax credit. Ensure CPA is aware of five-year accelerated depreciation