DWP TO RESTART POPULAR SOLAR-PANEL REBATE PROGRAM.Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer After working through a three-year backlog Backlog The total value of sales orders waiting to be fulfilled. Notes: This figure is used mainly in the manufacturing industry. Increases or decreases in a company's backlog indicate the future direction of sales and earnings. of applications, the city Department of Water & Power will reopen re·o·pen tr. & intr.v. re·o·pened, re·o·pen·ing, re·o·pens 1. To open or be opened again: Officials reopened the airport after the snow was cleared. Schools reopen in September. its rebate rebate, partial refund of the total price paid for goods or services. In the United States, rebates were historically given by railroads to favored shippers as a return on transportation charges. program Monday to residents who install solar panels on their homes. Residential photovoltaic The generation of voltage by a material that is exposed to light in the visible and invisible ranges. See photoelectric and photovoltaic cell. panels cost $16,000 to $30,000 to install, depending on the size of the home. Officials say the city incentive, coupled with a federal tax credit, could cut installation cost in half. ``It's a great opportunity here in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, to use the sunshine we have and lower the cost of what they draw from the DWP DWP Department of Work and Pensions (UK) DWP Drinking Water Program DWP Dynamic Weapon Pricing (gamin, Counter-Strike: Source) DWP Department of Water & Power DWP Drinking Water Protection ,'' said Josephine Gonzalez, manager of the utility's solar program. ``It's like prepaying your electric bill over next 20-25 years.'' The DWP launched the program in 2000, with plans to spend $150 million by 2011. With its offer of thousands of dollars to defray de·fray tr.v. de·frayed, de·fray·ing, de·frays To undertake the payment of (costs or expenses); pay. [French défrayer, from Old French desfrayer : des-, the cost of installing photovoltaic panels, the program was so popular the DWP soon had to freeze new applications because demand outpaced the funding available. The DWP worked through the waiting list and revamped the program so the rebate is now based on the installation's expected energy output. The utility has allocated $8.5 million to the program this year and will pay roughly 14 cents per kilowatt hour Kil´o`watt` hour 1. (Elec.) A unit of work or energy equal to that done by one kilowatt acting for one hour; - approximately equal to 1.34 horse-power hour. Noun 1. . Customers will use an online calculator calculator or calculating machine, device for performing numerical computations; it may be mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic. The electronic computer is also a calculator but performs other functions as well. to determine the amount of their rebate, based on the size and position of their solar panels. Gonzalez recommends prospective users seek estimates from at least three contractors because the costs and styles can vary. The DWP also recommends having the contractor help complete the rebate application because of the technical issues involved. For the last several years, many homeowners have postponed installing solar until the DWP rebate program reopened. Now solar contractors are beginning to see a lot more interest. ``We have had more awareness and we have had a lot more inquiries, especially in the last two weeks,'' said Fran McMillen with Environmental Solar Design Inc. in North Hollywood. ``Depending on the consumer, they will see a dramatic decrease in their bills.'' Graham Owen with Go Solar in North Hollywood has already received 1,300 calls from prospective customers hoping to take advantage of the rebate. Homeowners locked out of the solar program a few years ago are especially anxious to apply. ``The biggest problem is there isn't enough money in the pot. I think it's going to start with a bang and be gone immediately,'' Owen said. ``There just needs to be more money in the pool.'' But DWP officials said they hope the money will last longer this time because the new program allots funding based on energy output. So a home in sunny Woodland Hills will get a larger rebate than a home along the beach. ``I do not believe we will close anytime soon,'' Gonzalez said. ``I want people to have to time to find a system that's right for them and not feel pressure from contractor to act now because the program is going to close.'' kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com (213) 978-0390 CAPTION(S): box Box: Solar rebate |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion