City of Palo Alto Utilities - PV Partners

May 29, 2018

Summary

Note: Funds for residential and large commercial rebates have been fully reserved. Rebates are no longer available for residential systems or large commercial systems. 

The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) PV Partners Program offers incentives to customers that install qualifying PV systems. The program, which has a budget of approximately $13 million over 10 years, is divided into 10 steps (residential incentives have 12 steps), each funded at $1.3 million. 

Incentive levels as of 3/11/2016 are described below. For current levels, consult the program web site above.

  • Small/Medium Commercial (Rate E-2, E-4) <30 kW: $1.20/watt AC
  • Small/Medium Commercial (Rate E-2, E-4) 30 kW and greater: PBI $0.15/kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 60 months



Program Overview

Implementing Sector: Utility
Category: Financial Incentive
State: California
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Web Site: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/pvpartners
Administrator: City of Palo Alto Utilities
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Photovoltaics
Incentive Amount: Systems less than 30kW: Rebate varies depending on customer class; based on CEC AC watts.
Systems 30 kW and larger: Performance-based incentive (PBI), based on actual monthly energy produced (kWh) for 60 month term.
For current rebate levels, visit the program website below.
Maximum Incentive: Incentives available for first 1 MW
Eligible System Size: 1 kW minimum, 1 MW maximum
Equipment Requirements: All flat plate PV modules and inverters must be on the State of California Energy Commission list of eligible equipment; must have full 10-year warranty on equipment and labor.
Installation Requirements: PV systems must be grid-connected; must be installed by a licensed contractor.
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Remains with system owner.

Incentives

This program has 2 incentives
Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Sectors: Commercial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools
Parameters: The system has a minimum of 29.99 kW, The incentive is 1.20 $/W
Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Sectors: Commercial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools
Parameters: The system has a maximum of 30.00 kW, The incentive is 0.15 $/kWh (5 years), The system has a minimum of 1000.00 kW

Contact

Name: Utility Marketing Services
Organization: City of Palo Alto Utilities
Address: 250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto CA 94301
Phone: (650) 329-2241
Email: pvpartners@cityofpaloalto.org

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.