New rebates and tax credits are making it easier for San Diego residents to use solar energy to heat the water in their homes. KPBS reporter Sharon Heilbrunn discusses the benefits of solar water heaters.

A pilot program begun in San Diego County that provides incentives for homeowners to install solar water-heating systems is going statewide with a goal of funding 300,000 systems by 2017. Homeowners can receive up to about $1,875 in refunds on a typical $6,500 system that heats water with the sun’s energy as it’s collected on rooftop systems.

By Maureen Cavanaugh, Hank Crook, Sharon Heilbrunn

Maureen Cavanaugh: Despite the recent budget troubles and political gridlock, California is still a state with big goals, especially when it concerns going green. Our state has set targets for significant decreases in carbon emissions, and in order to meet them, it seems we're all going to have to make some changes.

October 2, 2009 Earlier this year, San Diego was named the "Top Solar City" in California. According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, more than 2200 residents and businesses have installed solar panels on their roofs.

San Diego is the number one solar city in California.and the California Center for Sustainable Energy wants to keep it that way.

Yesterday at Liberty Station, the group brought residents and solar experts together to explain the benefits of solar energy. Officials say installing solar panels is not as expensive as many think. "There's wonderful tax credits out there with rebates and combined the two together bring the cost down about 40 percent." Solar Energy Week continues... with a conference and a solar tour scheduled for Thursday.

San Diego is the number one solar city in California.and the California Center for Sustainable Energy wants to keep it that way. Yesterday at Liberty Station, the group brought residents and solar experts together to explain the benefits of solar energy. Officials say installing solar panels is not as expensive as many think. "There's wonderful tax credits out there with rebates and combined the two together bring the cost down about 40 percent." Solar Energy Week continues... with a conference and a solar tour scheduled for Thursday.