The California Energy Commission maintains a website regarding its efforts to promote the construction of new energy efficient solar homes. This website is for new construction, not existing homes. The front page of the website gives an overview of the program and discusses the definition of a Solar Home, how one can save money and the environment by utilizing solar energy and additional information for consumers, builders and those interested in formal proceedings of the Energy Commission. Looking into the site, there is more information accessible including planning for energy efficiency first.
The section regarding planning for energy efficiency starts with a policy statement on energy efficiency and a link to the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (known as Title 24 Standards). What follows is a discussion on eligibility for incentives provided under the partnership in both Tier I and Tier II conditions, the first setting a 15 percent reduction in a home's space heating, cooling and water heating energy compared to the Title 24 Standards and the later setting a 35 percent reduction the same energy expenditure as in Tier I while combining the overall reduction with a 40 reduction in the home's air conditioning energy usage. Builders need to use the Energystar appliances to which we've all become accustomed in the new homes. At the end of this page is information on incentives available from local utilities including PG&E, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, determination qualification and how the standards are measured. Topics including the application process, guidebooks, workshops and training are discussed in the next indexed pages. A zip code search helps determine if the new home is in a service location of a certain utility and this is eligible to apply for incentives under this program. The utilities include Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and Bear Valley Electric Service. Eligible equipment, which is listed in the program's guidebook is listed in a page showing eligible photovoltaic modules. An FAQ, a section on field verification (verifying energy savings) by third party inspector and a calculator which is designed to calculate incentives get their own treatments. Additional incentives for new affordable housing applicants is excerpted from the program guidebook. And finally a discussion of solar tax credits rounds out the information about this program with links available to tax incentives assistance, Energy Star tax credits, a list of state incentives and to IRS form 8908.
For more information about the New Solar Homes Partnership see the following links.
What a comprehensive article, it may appear quite a lot to achieve but it is worth it in the long run. I have been involved with a project in the UK in Hayle, Cornwall which has used all the latest energy efficient products on the market, some quite ground breaking. The end result is some state of art eco homes in one of the best areas to live in Cornwall. If you want more information about what they have used and their experiences please visit www.new-homes-cornwall.com. Thanks
Posted by: Anna Barrington | 21 January 2009 at 03:05 PM