CleanBeta

San Francisco Goes Solar

The capital of all things crunchy, San Francisco, Cal., will reduce taxes for property owners who install solar photovoltaic power systems. The taxable solar incentives will range from $6,000 for residences, $10,000 for businesses and non-profits, and $30,000 for nonprofit affordable housing.

San Francisco, which currently has less than 1,000 solar rooftops, will likely see a small explosion in building-integrated solar technologies. To kick start the Bay Area’s green collar economy, property owners earn even more in the program if they retain a solar installer that hires graduates of the city’s workforce development program. The 10-year Solar Energy Incentive Program will be the largest of its kind in the United States.

Currently, the program is set to begin in the near future with a budget of $3 million, enough to provide incentives for 1.5 megawatts of solar power on residential and business properties, according to the city’s assessor’s office. In addition, a one-year pilot program with a budget of $1.5 million will provide incentives to nonprofit organizations and residences for low-income families. The incentives will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis and are assignable to the building owner, the installer, or a third party.