Meet the Next Step in Your Green Routine: Solar Water Heating!

Statewide Outreach Campaign Launches during Earth Month to Educate the Public about Solar Water Heating and the Rebates Available through the California Solar Initiative – Thermal Program

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For many Californians, taking action to help the environment is already a way of life, from recycling and using low-flow showerheads to weather-proofing their home and driving a low-emission vehicle. Now the California Solar Initiative (CSI) - Thermal Program is encouraging all Californians to take the next step in their green routine with solar water heating.

“That makes solar water heating systems a smart way to generate hot water for your home or business.”

The four Program Administrators — California Center for Sustainable Energy® (CCSE) in the San Diego Gas & Electric Company® territory; Pacific Gas & Electric Company® (PG&E); Southern California Edison Company® (SCE); and Southern California Gas Company® (SoCalGas®) — have launched a statewide outreach campaign to educate the public about solar water heating technology and spread the word about the rebates that are available through the program.

“Earth Month is the perfect time of year for people to think about what more they can do to use energy more efficiently and reduce emissions. Solar water heating is a great way to do both,” said Gwen Marelli, Director of Commercial & Industrial Services, Southern California Gas Company. “The rebates available from the CSI-Thermal Program help make the purchase and installation of qualifying systems more affordable.”

Customers of the four investor-owned utilities in the state who heat their water with electricity, natural gas or propane can be eligible for rebates under the Program, which offers cash rebates of up to $1,875 for solar water heating systems installed on single-family homes and up to $500,000 for systems installed on commercial or multi-family buildings. Increased rebate levels are available for qualified income-eligible single-family and multi-family housing natural gas customers.

“Customers who are looking to save energy and money over the long-term would want to consider solar water heating,” said David Rubin, Director, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. “It’s an environmentally-friendly improvement to your home or business that can also reduce your monthly energy bill. We’re very excited to be able to support our customers who are looking to ‘go solar’ with this technology.”

Typical solar water heating systems reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water by working as a companion system with a current water heater. They capture the warmth of the sun and transfer the heat to water. The solar-heated water is held in a storage tank until it is needed to replace the hot water pulled from the conventional water heater for use in sinks, showers, baths, dishwashers and washing machines.

“The sun’s heat energy is clean and abundant, and the solar water heating technology is efficient,” said Gary Barsley, manager of SCE’s Solar and Self-Generation programs. “That makes solar water heating systems a smart way to generate hot water for your home or business.”

There are requirements that must be met to qualify for a rebate under the program, and factors such as how much energy the system can displace will affect the amount of rebate that can be received. The CSI-Thermal Program rebate levels decline in a series of four steps based on how much has been paid out over time, so those who act the soonest will benefit the most.

“This rebate encourages home and business owners to take the next step in energy conservation and efficiency, and helps build a sustainable future for California,” said Andrew McAllister, Managing Director of CCSE. “The time is now to learn more about solar water heating and the CSI-Thermal Program.”

For more information about the benefits of solar water heating and the rebates available for qualifying systems through the CSI-Thermal Program visit: www.WaterHeatedbytheSun.com

About the California Solar Initiative – Thermal Program

The California Solar Initiative (CSI)-Thermal Program is funded by California investor-owned utility customers and is administered by regional Program Administrators under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. CSI-Thermal is part of the overarching “Go Solar California” campaign which is a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50240090&lang=en