Dwp to Restart Popular Solar-Panel Rebate Program

Aug 15 - Daily News; Los Angeles, Calif.

After working through a three-year backlog of applications, the city Department of Water & Power will reopen its rebate program Monday to residents who install solar panels on their homes.

Residential photovoltaic panels cost $16,000 to $30,000 to install, depending on the size of the home. Officials say the city incentive, coupled with a federal tax credit, could cut installation cost in half.

"It's a great opportunity here in Southern California to use the sunshine we have and lower the cost of what they draw from the DWP," said Josephine Gonzalez, manager of the utility's solar program.

"It's like prepaying your electric bill over next 20-25 years."

The DWP launched the program in 2000, with plans to spend $150 million by 2011.

With its offer of thousands of dollars to defray the cost of installing photovoltaic panels, the program was so popular the DWP soon had to freeze new applications because demand outpaced the funding available.

The DWP worked through the waiting list and revamped the program so the rebate is now based on the installation's expected energy output.

The utility has allocated $8.5 million to the program this year and will pay roughly 14 cents per kilowatt hour. Customers will use an online calculator to determine the amount of their rebate, based on the size and position of their solar panels.

Gonzalez recommends prospective users seek estimates from at least three contractors because the costs and styles can vary. The DWP also recommends having the contractor help complete the rebate application because of the technical issues involved.

For the last several years, many homeowners have postponed installing solar until the DWP rebate program reopened.

Now solar contractors are beginning to see a lot more interest.

"We have had more awareness and we have had a lot more inquiries, especially in the last two weeks," said Fran McMillen with Environmental Solar Design Inc. in North Hollywood.

"Depending on the consumer, they will see a dramatic decrease in their bills."

Graham Owen with Go Solar in North Hollywood has already received 1,300 calls from prospective customers hoping to take advantage of the rebate. Homeowners locked out of the solar program a few years ago are especially anxious to apply.

"The biggest problem is there isn't enough money in the pot. I think it's going to start with a bang and be gone immediately," Owen said.

"There just needs to be more money in the pool."

But DWP officials said they hope the money will last longer this time because the new program allots funding based on energy output. So a home in sunny Woodland Hills will get a larger rebate than a home along the beach.

"I do not believe we will close anytime soon," Gonzalez said. "I want people to have to time to find a system that's right for them and not feel pressure from contractor to act now because the program is going to close."

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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