The California Solar Initiative

The goal of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Million Solar Roofs Program is to develop 3,000 megawatts of new, solar-generated electricity by 2017. This will support California’s mission to move toward a cleaner energy future, while also lowering the cost of solar energy systems for consumers.

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) and, one of its programs, the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP), can help us reach this goal.

  • The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), through its California Solar Initiative, provides over $2 billion in statewide incentives over the next decade for solar installations on existing residential homes, as well as on existing and new commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties.
  • The California Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) is part of the California Solar Initiative. The NSHP provides financial incentives and other support to home builders, encouraging the construction of new, energy efficient solar homes. SDG&E is the administrator of the NSHP for its service territory.

The long-term goal of both programs is to help build a self-sustaining solar market in California that can be looked upon as a role-model for future solar programs throughout the United States.

California Solar Initiative Highlights

  • Photovoltaic incentives starting at $2.50 per watt for systems up to one megawatt in size for homeowners and commercial/industrial customers; $3.25 for government and non-profit customers.
  • Funds for solar installations for existing and new low-income and affordable housing.
  • A Performance Based Incentive (PBI) structure to reward high-performing solar projects.

How To Apply

New Residential Homes

SDG&E is designated as program administrator in our service area for the New Solar Homes Partnership. For more information and to participate in the program, contact us.

Existing Homes and All Commercial Buildings

The California Center for Sustainable Energy is designated as the program administrator in SDG&E’s service area for existing residential homes, as well as for existing and new commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. For more information and to participate visit the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

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