In 2008, San Francisco introduced the GoSolarSF solar panel rebate program. In its first year, GoSolarSF has quadrupled the amount of solar panel installations in San Francisco.
Last year, 850 households, businesses, and non-profit organizations applied to install solar power through the program. This compares to San Francisco's 200 solar panel installations in 2007. Recent research by Environment California shows that San Francisco now has more solar panels per capita than any other city in California. Currently, San Francisco has 1,350 solar roofs, the mayor's office plans to increase that number to 15,000 by 2018.
GoSolarSF is administered by the San Francisco Public Utility Company (PUC). It gives rebates to those who purchase solar panels. The rebates vary from $4,000 for private homes to $10,000 for businesses. Low-income households that apply can receive up to a $12,000 rebate. In San Francisco, solar panels cost roughly $20,000.
Besides GoSolarSF, San Franciscans are also eligible for state and federal tax credits. This combination may be the perfect storm, as Barbara Hale, assistant general manager at PUC, highlights, "we're very happy with the numbers--it's been wildly successful."
Read the full story at the San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. solar power rebate use quadruples in 2008
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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