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.
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
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
