TABLE OF CONTENTS The following is a summary highlight of the California Solar Incentive (CSI) program, a detailed version of which is available on the CSI Web page at www.csi.com.
Beginning January 1, 2007, the state of California introduced solar rebate funding for installation of photovoltaic power cogeneration that was authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Senate. The bill referenced as SB1 has allotted a budget of $2.167 billion that will be used over a 10-year period.
The rebate funding program known as the California Solar Initiative (CSI) awards rebates on the basis of performance, unlike earlier programs that allotted rebates based on the calculated projection of system energy output. The new rebate award system categorizes solar power installation into two incentive groups. An incentive program referred to as Performance-Based Incentive (PBI) addresses photovoltaic installation of 100 kW or larger and provides rebate dollars based on the solar power cogeneration s actual output over a 5-year period. Another rebate referred to as Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB) is a one-time lump sum incentive payment program for solar power systems with performance capacities of less than 100 kW, which is a payment based on the system s expected future performance.
Three major utility providers that service various state territories distribute and administer the CSI funds. The three main service providers that administer the program in California are:
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which serves northern California
Southern California Edison (SCE), which serves mid-California
San Diego Regional Energy Office (SDREO)/San Diego Gas...
