New Rebates for Solar Water Heating Available with CSI Solar-Thermal Program On January 21, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a new program offering rebates to qualifying gas- and electric-displacing solar water heating systems.

The CSI Solar-Thermal Program (Decision 10-01-022) is administered by the state’s investor-owned gas and electric utilities and the California Center for Sustainable Energy and will begin accepting applications for rebates on May 1. Forty percent of the $350 million allocated for the rebates will go to residential systems, while 60 percent will be issued for commercial projects. For more info Link to CPUC

This is an opportunity to support the Solar Bill of Rights by adding your name to these rights. The Solar Bill of Rights means no more restrictive homeowner associations telling families that they cannot install solar. It means a fair competitive playing field with other sources of energy like oil, gas, and coal. And it means that all Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility. Realizing these and the other rights enumerated in the Solar Bill of Rights will finally bring the solar industry to the forefront of American energy, which so many of us have been working toward for years. Click here to sign the Solar Bill of Rights Click here to read the complete Solar Bill of Rights

Aztec Solar is now a proud supporter of SSF (Sacramento Sustainability Forum) a group whose mission is to gather monthly and discuss sustainability opportunities in the greater Sacramento Area. Tomorrow’s media panel at the Sacramento Convention Center will be discussing Sustainability in the media. To sign up for this event click here

The Port of West Sacramento today unveiled a newly installed solar power system that will provide all of its electricity needs over the next 25 years. They installed a 637 kilowatt system which will reduce the Port’s energy costs by more than $20,000 annually. The system includes 3,536 solar panels covering 90,000 square feet on the rooftops of two rice warehouse buildings. To read more click here

PG&E has been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission to move forward with a 25-year plan to purchase solar electricity at a fixed cost with a buy out option at the end, known as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).The AV Solar Ranch One photovoltaic facility being developed in the Antelope Valley will come online in 2014 and will generate an average of 590 gigawatt-hours each year. California has a goal to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Are you interested in doing your part?

Read more about the 230MW PG&E project

Thinking About Solar Water Heating, California Gave You 1 More Reason

California utilities, such as PG&E, now offer homeowners financial incentives to install solar panels to heat your water. The incentives will be based on your system’s production with a maximum rebate of $1800. The rebate is accompanied by a federal tax credit of 30% of your system cost. Solar Thermal technology has been around for decades, but they’ve received little of the attention paid to photovoltaic solar panels. And yet, using sunlight to heat water cuts the amount of natural gas or electricity a building needs. Most California homes run their boilers on natural gas, while a few use electricity, whether you use propane, gas, or electricity to heat your water, with 30 years experience, Aztec Solar has expertise on replacing your current system with a solar water heating one, as well as keeping you eligible for rebates.

To read more click here Click here to read about the growing popularity of Solar Thermal technology

Today, photovoltaics, or PV, are being used more and more by suburban dwellers. For many of these homeowners, it’s not just about being “green.” It’s about hard economics. California incentives, Federal Tax Credits, the declining price of module technology and escalating utility charges is resulting in a cost effective argument for solar power on your home. Aztec Solar would like to empower you with knowledge to know if solar is right for your home and energy needs. Contact us for a Free Energy Analysis 916.852.2700. For more information about California Solar Programs visit