Go Solar L.A. LADWP Solar Incentive Program Reopens to Strong Response

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) popular Solar Incentive Rebate Program has sprung back to life, with 112 applications submitted since the program reopened September 1.  Most notably, over 80 percent of the applications submitted are for residential customers.

As of 8:00 a.m. today, LADWP customers and solar installers had applied for over $7.4 million in incentives to build 3.25 megawatts (MW) of solar power on Los Angeles rooftops. Customers and installers have submitted 92 applications for residential systems, 15 for commercial, 3 for governmental and 2 for non-profits.  Seventeen of the applications submitted so far are for leased systems.  In addition to the 112 applications submitted, an additional 136 applications have been initiated online, but are pending completion and formal filing.

“The restart has gone very smoothly overall, with 82 percent of applications coming from residential customers” said Ronald O. Nichols, LADWP General Manager. “While any assessment of our overall program would be premature at this early stage, judging from the first few days of activity, I am very pleased with customers’ response to the revised program so far.”

The relaunched program met with strong response when it reopened, offering a new customer-friendly online application and information system called PowerClerk.

The Solar Incentive Program was suspended back on April 9 to catch up with a backlog of applications, which were outpacing the available budget by about 3 to 1. The suspension also allowed LADWP to complete solar inspections; increase customer education to address safety concerns; gain input on improving the program; and identify alternative financing options – all of which has been accomplished.

The updated program is designed to grow solar at a steady and sustainable pace, while achieving the most solar power and customer participation as possible within available funding.

LADWP will provide frequent online updates to show the running total of reservation requests, including the total dollar value and amount of megawatts requested, so that installers and customers will be able to monitor this activity. New rebate requests will be capped at $40 million for the current fiscal year. This will allow LADWP to fund $20 million of rebate requests that were pending when the program was suspended in April, for a total of $60 million in funding this fiscal year.

To apply online or download the applications, and for additional information, please visit www.ladwp.com/solar. Inquiries can be submitted by emailing solar@ladwp.com.

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