By Helen Gao
Source: LA Daily News 2001.8.23

http://www.dailynews.com/news/articles/0801/23/new12.asp

GLENDALE -- Under the first-ever renewable energy rebate program launched in Glendale,
homeowners interested in installing solar panels to generate their own electricity are entitled to
thousands of dollars in incentives.

The City Council late Tuesday budgeted $150,000 to fund a solar-electric rebate program,
which provides reimbursements of up to $3 per watt up to 10,000 watts -- the largest system
allowed in the program.

The city hopes to assist about 25 homeowners with rebates for a 2,000-watt system estimated
at $6,000.

"The state has a pretty good renewable energy program. Los Angeles does. People in Glendale
are interested in having a similar program," said Craig Kuennen, public benefits programs
coordinator for the city.

The program, however, does not cover solar equipment that heats swimming pools by running
water through a series of pipes.

At the beginning of the summer, when talk of blackouts was constant, Kuennen said he
received five to 10 calls a week.

Solar-electric systems are attractive to the city, staff said, because they produce energy using
sunlight, without adding air pollution or depleting fossil fuel resources.

Glendale's program closely mirrors the one offered by the California Energy Commission to
customers who are served by investor-owned utilities, such as Southern California Edison.

Glendale residents, however, are not eligible for state rebates because the state energy
commission program is funded by a special charge paid by customers served by
investor-owned utilities. Glendale has its own municipal power plant, which has shielded the
city from blackouts.

The city's program is being funded by 2.85 percent of electric charges residents pay on their
bills. Each year the city collects about $1.1 million from residential charges to spend on low
income, energy efficiency, renewable sources or research and development programs.

City staffers expect the average solar system size in the city will be between 2,000 and 4,000
watts and cost between $16,000 and $20,000. After a rebate of $6,000 for a 2,000-watt
system, the net installation cost would drop to $10,000 to $14,000 for local residents.

A 2,000-watt system is expected to generate 4,000 kwh a year or 100,000 kwh over its
25-year life.

Residents who plan to take advantage of the rebate system immediately must first get an
administrative exception from the city to install solar equipment on their rooftops because
rooftop equipment is currently prohibited in the city.

The council is scheduled to adopt an ordinance exempting solar equipment from the rooftop ban
on Sept. 4. If it passes, it will take effect in mid-October.

For more information about the rebate program, call (818) 548-4080. For advice on installing
solar-electric systems, visit the California Energy Commission Web site at
www.energy.ca.gov/renewables.

In conjunction with the solar rebate program, the council voted to continue to fund a discount
program for residents who depend on lifesaving medical equipment at an annual cost of
$45,000.

The program provides monthly discounts of $5, $10 or $15 to help residents, who use dialysis
machines, oxygen concentrators and other medical equipment.

Some council members criticized the discount as too small and asked city staffers to research
increasing the discount in the future.

According to a staff report, discount program participants' bills average $71 a month, $11
higher than the residential average.