Solar Water Heater Rebate

Download the solar water heater rebate application

The application includes a checklist of items you will need to receive a rebate.

Solar water heating is a simple, efficient, and affordable technology that can cut water heating costs by 50 – 80%.  A family of four generally needs two 4’ X 8’ collector panels connected to an 80 gallon storage tank.  The insulated tank holds the hot water until you need it.  It requires little maintenance and helps create a sustainable environment with less dependency on energy created from fossil fuels.

There is an $800 rebate for a natural gas water heating customer to convert to a solar electric water heating system. All electric customers can receive a $400 rebate for the installation of a solar water heating system.

Requirements

• This program is available to all Columbia Water & Light electric customers
• Rebates are offered to customers who install solar domestic water heating systems (DWH) that annually provide 50% (or more) yearly energy use from the sun and use electric resistance heating as the back-up energy source
• Rebates must be applied for in advance of equipment installation and must receive written approval from Columbia Water & Light as a pre-condition to receiving a rebate offer
• Columbia Water & Light reserves the right to inspect a project prior to installation and after installation is completed
• Customer agrees to exclusively grant Columbia Water & Light the right to use all renewable energy attributes arising from the solar DHW system
• Standard rebate offer for customers already using electric DHW systems is $400
• For customers not using electric as their existing DHW system the standard rebate offer is $800. Solar storage tank must have electric element installed and be connected to an electric circuit. Storage tank must also be first in series plumbing
• Solar systems must be new and OG 300 certified as tested by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC)
• Equipment must be warranted for a minimum period of five years. Customers are required to maintain system in working order for a period of five years (or risk a prorated reimbursement)
• Projects must receive all applicable permits from the City of Columbia and meet all applicable codes
• Rebate application includes: Project description; SRCC certification and warranty
• Post installation requires a copy of City of Columbia permit(s) and paid receipt of contractor

Procedures

• Customer files an application with Columbia Water & Light
• Columbia Water & Light inspects property prior to installation (verifies preexisting energy source)
• Customer receives letter with the rebate offer
• Customer completes installation and notifies Columbia Water & Light
• Columbia Water & Light inspects completed project and all needed documentation
• Columbia Water & Light authorizes payment as approved and check is sent to the customer