City of Palo Alto Solar Water Heating Program

 

Among California’s most progressive clean energy municipalities, the City of Palo Alto offered an incentive program for residential and commercial solar water heating with CSE serving as its administrator. Similar to the statewide California Solar Initiative – Thermal Program, the Palo Alto program encouraged the adoption of solar water heating technologies by providing rebates that lowered installation costs, training for contractors, and education for potential customers to help them make informed decisions.  

 

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Program at a Glance

Program Goals

The City of Palo Alto Utilities’ goal was to install 1,000 solar water heating systems by 2020

CSE's Role

As program administrator, promote program participation and the benefits of solar water heating technologies

Technologies

Energy Efficiency

Key Partners

Aztec Solar (system inspector)

State Policies Supported

AB 1470, Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action Plan

Impact Statement

Displacing gas and electricity use to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy use