Go Solar
City of San Leandro is committed in being a SolSmart Community and encouraging people everywhere to take up solar!
WHAT IS THE SOLAR CAPACITY OF YOUR ROOF?
Google has released a new tool, Project Sunroof, which allows residents in the Bay Area to look up their building’s capacity and how much money they can save with a solar rooftop, and directs you to companies that can help install solar panels.
HOW MUCH WILL SOLAR COST?
The US Department of Energy developed this Solar Estimate Calculator to help you see how much solar panels should cost before you speak to installers.
Smart Solar and Energy Sage have teamed up to provide residents with the SmartSolar Marketplace, a resource that provides instant online quotes from a variety of pre-screened solar installers. The tool allows you to compare offers side by side to find the best installer for you.
FINANCING & INCENTIVES
It can be overwhelming to figure out how to pay for such an important investment as a solar system. Here are some options:
Solar Leases and PPAs
You can opt for a third-party model known as a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), in which a private entity owns the equipment and you pay a monthly fee for the use of it (lease) or you pay a set price for the electricity generated by your solar system (PPA). This model is designed to require little to no upfront cost and allow you to pay less for your solar power than you would pay to PG&E (new monthly bill + monthly solar payment < old monthly bill).
Cash Purchase
You can buy the system outright, which requires upfront capital. The benefit of this option is no monthly payments and free electricity for the 25+ year life of the system. As the system owner, you are responsible for system maintenance or you can hire someone to service the system when necessary.
Incentives
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a comprehensive resource on U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives and policies. Learn about the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit of 30% for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, wind turbines, and fuel cells.
Solar Hot Water Rebates
CSI-Thermal Program offers cash rebates of up to $2,719 for solar water heating systems on single-family homes.
PERMITS
Permits are required for solar panel installations. The City of San Leandro strives to encourage residents to install solar by streamlining our processes and providing support.
The City provides a comprehensive guide to single-family solar installations, along with a checklist to ensure you meet our requirements for a permit. Permit applications are processed within 5 business days.
MORE RESOURCES
Resilient Home with EBCE
Resilient Home is a limited-time program from EBCE that makes it simple for property owners to see if a solar and battery backup system is right for you by providing free quotes and pre-negotiated pricing. To learn more about the program and the $1,250 incentive for homeowners, go here.
Bay Area SunShares
SunShares pools the buying power of all 9 Bay Area counties to negotiate significant discounts on solar + storage. For a limited time each year (Sept. 1 - Nov. 30), they offer significant discounts on solar + storage from pre-vetted installers that serve the entire Bay Area.
Solar and Renewables with PG&E
PG&E provides helpful resources to customers regarding the steps to installing a solar system. Learn more about what guidance PG&E provides.
California Solar Statistics
View information on the total number of solar PV systems installed under the CSI program from 2007 to present by utility, county, city, zip code, customer type, and installation size.
The Open PV Project
The Open PV Project, sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is a collaborative effort between government, industry, and the public that is compiling a comprehensive database of photovoltaic (PV) installation data for the United States.