Going solar is easy
Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) makes owning solar power easy and rewarding with our Residential Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program. This leading-edge rebate program provides financial incentives to RPU electric customers who purchase and install PV systems on their homes.
NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS:
Our Residential Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program will reopen on July 1, 2012. Reservation appointments can be scheduled starting for June 1, 2012.
In accordance with our published solar rebate guidelines, the program is limited to funds available on a first-come-first served basis.
Thank you for your continued interest in RPU’s residential solar rebate program. With your support, RPU has exceeded 4.5 megawatts of locally generated clean solar energy.
In order to have a reservation request accepted and guaranteed, customers must follow these steps:
1. Call 951-826-5760 to request a reservation appointment. Please complete this step first.
Please bring the following to your appointment:
Once your application packet and reservation request have been approved, RPU will send a confirmation letter containing the size, in AC watts, of your PV system.
After your PV system has been verified and approved through a final inspection, your rebate will be issued within 6-8 weeks. Depending on the number of reservations we receive, it could take a little longer; we sincerely appreciate your patience throughout this process.
It is important to note that incomplete applications will not be accepted for a reservation. Such applications will be rejected and your place in the reservation process will be forfeited.
The following steps are often taken care of by customers’ PV contractors. We recommend that you consult your contractor to determine their responsibilities.
2. Follow RPUs Interconnection Standards in designing your system.
3. Apply for a PV construction permit.
4. Follow Riverside’s Photovoltaic Permitting Guidelines when building your PV system.
5. Schedule and complete the final inspection by calling:
Building & Safety Department: 951-826-5697
If you have any questions about this rebate program, please call our solar program administrator at 951-826-5475 or e-mail us.
Design Requirements:
Before installing your PV system, there are a few things to consider. Things like system size, location, shading, tilt and even panel orientation may affect your RPU rebate, so we encourage you to visit GreenRiverside.com and carefully review Riverside’s compliance standards and safety requirements.
Your photovoltaic system must comply with:
• Riverside Public Utilities Interconnection Standards
• Riverside Public Utilities Electric Rule 22
• PV Single Line Diagram
• Typical Meter Clearances
• Building & Safety Department Plan Check
• Fire Department specifications and requirements
Rebate amounts are calculated based on system performance in California Energy Commission (CEC) AC watts (not capacity), which is influenced by the factors mentioned above. Riverside Public Utilities calculates system size based on component information from the California Solar Initiative.
All solar energy installations require a production meter socket installed after the inverter; RPU does not accept ringless sockets or panels (please see the city’s Interconnection Standards). The meter for this socket will be installed, owned, and operated by Riverside Public Utilities.
Under this program, PV systems are primarily intended to offset part or all of the customer’s personal electricity demand. Systems should be sized to produce no more than 120% of the customer’s average annual energy consumption as shown on the RPU billing record for the three years leading up to the issuance of the rebate reservation. If the customer’s account history is shorter than three years, the customer’s average energy demand will be calculated using available data.
Inspections:
After your PV system has been installed, you’ll need to schedule a few inspections with the City of Riverside. These inspections are generally fast and easy, and help ensure that your PV system has been properly installed and functions as efficiently as possible.
Once your PV system has been inspected and approved, your rebate application will be processed and your new PV production meter and electric revenue meter will be installed. To schedule your inspections, call:
- Building & Safety: 951-826-5697
Net Energy Metering:
At times, your PV system may generate more energy than you need. During these periods, the extra electricity is sent through your utility meter and onto the electric grid for others to use. At the end of the associated billing period, you pay only for your household’s net electricity use. This is called net energy metering (NEM), and it’s another benefit of becoming a solar energy generator. Please keep in mind that you will still be responsible for paying your customer charge, reliability charge, public benefits charge and all associated taxes.
In order to benefit from net energy metering, RPU will issue a Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreementfor your PV system, which must be completed, signed and submitted to RPU.
Here are the NEM Agreement requirements:
• A Customer-Generator is defined as: a residential, small commercial, commercial, industrial, or agricultural customer who uses a solar (photovoltaic) or wind turbine electrical generating facility, or hybrid system of both, with a capacity of not more than 1,000 kilowatts, that is located on the customer's premises, is interconnected and operates in parallel with the utility's transmission and distribution facilities, and is intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer's own electrical requirements on the premises.
• Rule 22 describes the interconnection, operating, and metering requirements in detail for all types of generating facilities, besides NEM, generators which are limited to photovoltaic systems and wind turbines.
• If you install a photovoltaic system within the City of Riverside’s service area, you will need to get building permits from the city’s Building Division: 951-826-5697.
• Riverside Public Utilities’ Energy Delivery Engineering Division (951-826-5489) must approve the interconnection schematic and review the technical specifications on the inverter to verify that it meets safety requirements and Interconnection Standards.
• Applicants are required to sign and submit two (2) original signed copies of the complete Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreement to RPU.
• Applicable rates are detailed in the NEM Rate Schedule.
• Other costs may be associated with the installation of your PV system.
For more information on the NEM agreement, Rule 22 or the Interconnection Standards, please contact Energy Delivery Engineering at 951-826-5489.
Energy Compensation Form:
To receive compensation for the extra electricity your PV system produces, a Surplus Energy Compensation Election Form must also be completed, signed and submitted with RPU the Residential Photovoltaic Rebate Program application package.
Please Note:
All renewable energy credits (REC), along with all environmental attributes associated with residential solar installations that have received rebates from Riverside Public Utilities will be the property of RPU. Additionally, customers receiving rebates for residential solar installations agree to transfer all rights, titles and interest they have to RECs and environmental attributes to RPU.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If your question isn’t answered here, please call our solar program administrator at 951-826-5475 or e-mail us.
What is a solar electric, or photovoltaic, system?
Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems use sun’s energy to make electricity.
Do I have a good site for a PV system?
Your site must have clear, unobstructed access to the sun. Buildings, trees or other vegetation should not shade your site. South-facing roof exposure is best, but roofs facing east and west may be okay. If a rooftop is not available, your PV system can also be mounted on the ground.
What is Net Energy Metering?
At times, your PV system may generate more energy than you need. During these periods, the extra electricity is sent through your utility meter and onto the electric grid for others to use. At the end of the associated billing period, you pay only for your household’s net electricity use. This is called net energy metering (NEM), and it’s another benefit of becoming a solar energy generator. Please keep in mind that you will still be responsible for paying your customer charge, reliability charge, public benefits charge and all associated taxes.
In order to benefit from net energy metering, RPU will issue a Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreement for your PV system, which must be completed, signed and submitted to RPU.
Will my electric bill change?
Yes, once you become a solar customer of RPU, you will now receive two separate bills. One bill will be for your new solar electric account and show kWh delivered (KWHD), kWh generated (KWHG) and kWh net (KWHN) and track your PV production and credits. Your second bill will include other city services including water, trash, sewer, etc.
How much does a PV system cost?
An average PV system can cost between $6 to $10 per watt, installed, for a 4 kW system before rebates or tax credits. This program is available to RPU residential electric customers. If applicant is a tenant or renter, the property owner must sign the application. The application must be submitted within 90 days of the purchase date.
Are financing programs available?
The best way to finance a PV system for your home is through a mortgage loan that includes a primary mortgage, secondary mortgage or home equity loan, or property tax secured by your property. If mortgage financing is not available, consider other sources such as conventional bank loans.
Lean more about home energy efficiency loans.
How can I find a PV vendor?
Vendors are listed in the yellow pages of the phonebook. You can also search the California Energy Commission’s website at www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov or www.findsolar.com.
Helpful Links and Contact Information:
Helpful Tips
Are you considering installing solar panels at your home? Here are some tips to help you through the decision-making process:
- All RPU residential electric customers are eligible for the Residential Photovoltaic Rebate Program.
- The average cost of a completely installed solar energy system for homes in Riverside is between $6 and $10 per AC watt.
- The average size of solar energy systems for homes in Riverside is about 4 kilowatts (AC).
- Solar energy systems produce more energy if they are oriented in a south-facing direction. If a south-facing position is not possible on your site, the next best orientations are southwest, southeast, west and finally east. Do not install solar electric panels facing north.
- Solar panels that are placed in shaded areas will produce less energy than panels that are placed in areas with lots of exposure to the sun.
Photovoltaic Program Requirements & Guidelines:
Before installing a PV system at your home, we encourage you to carefully review these system requirements and guidelines. Understanding these requirements and guidelines will help you avoid running into problems when setting up your PV system and applying for a rebate from RPU.
If you have any questions about these requirements and guidelines, or would like more information about any aspect of RPU’s Residential Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program, please call our solar program administrator at 951-826-5475 or e-mail us.
Program Guidelines:
- The level of incentive is $2.25 per AC watt installed, per electric account, per year. Rebate amount cannot exceed $14,000, or 50% of the total cost of the project, whichever is less.
- Customer must fulfill all program guidelines to be eligible for incentives. Systems will need to be inspected by the City of Riverside’s Building & Safety Department and RPU’s Customer Engineering Division before a rebate can be issued.
- If it is determined through inspection that the customer is not in compliance with the requirements of the program, RPU may recover the total rebate amount paid to customer.
- Rebates totaling up to $500 will automatically be credited to the customer’s account.
- RPU reserves the right to determine program eligibility.
- RPU does not endorse or recommend specific products or dealers nor does it guarantee material or workmanship; acceptance of such is the customer’s responsibility.
- A copy of the dated sales receipt, invoice or contract must be provided, and is subject to verification. These documents must show project address, the names of both the contractor and PV equipment manufacturer, PV and inverter model numbers, system size, and a complete list of all labor and equipment costs, along with any other costs associated with the customer’s PV system.
- Project costs include the photovoltaic cells, modules, mounting or tracking structures, wiring, inverters, and utility-required interconnection and metering equipment.
- Only CEC-certified PV modules and inverters qualify for this program and are subject to approval by RPU. The approved list can be found on the CEC’s website, and can be made available by RPU staff.
- Qualifying systems must reduce electrical load at the meter site.
- Systems cannot be sized over 120% of the maximum historical customer usage from the past 24 months.
- Confirmed reservations are valid for 120 days, in which time customers must obtain a building permit from the Building & Safety Department. Once the building permit is issued, customers have 12 months to construct their PV systems. Failure to comply with these timelines will result in the rebate being relinquished. Reservations cannot be transferred between projects.
- This rebate program does not cover PV system enlargements that are made after the reservation has been issued.
- Applicant must submit two (2) completed and signed Net Energy Metering Interconnection Agreements and a completed and signed Surplus Energy Compensation Election Form to RPU prior to final connection to the grid and before any incentive can be paid.
- All existing residential customers are required to have a Home Energy EZ Profile and Auditof their existing home conducted before PV incentives are paid. To show proof of the audit, complete the online audit, print the free downloadable report and submit it to RPU.
- Production meters are required for all solar installations.
- Applicant must comply with all Planning, Building & Safety, and Electric Plan Check procedures.
- Per Riverside Public Utility Rule 13, each solar customer must provide and maintain unobstructed access to the electric meters, along with pet-free access for RPU employees to obtain monthly meter readings.
- Contractors must have one of the following licenses:
- Electrical C10
- Engineering A
- Solar Specialty C46
- Financed systems must have a signed contract and proof of payments.
- Incentive will be paid to the electric customer of record only. An exception will be made if the tenant or renter provides proof of purchase.
- Customers participating in this program may be asked to complete a telephone or mail-in survey to be used as a benchmark for energy savings attributed to the program.
- This program is available to RPU residential electric customers. If applicant is a tenant or renter, the property owner must sign the application.
- Application must be submitted within 90 days of the purchase date.
- Reservation numbers will not be given for incomplete applications.
- Incentive funds are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Our Residential Photovoltaic Rebate Program is designed to be in compliance with California Senate Bill 1 (Million Solar Roofs Initiative).
- RPU reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program without prior notice.
