Murrieta solar rebate

The city of Murrieta has added 38 more rebates to its popular Murrieta Solar Rebate Program.  The city committed to 72, $1,000 rebates for approved residential solar installations (purchased systems, not PPAs or leases) in April 2010.   It originally settled on 72 rebates by taking the average annual solar installation in Murrieta over a 3-year period, which came out to 24 per year.

According to city representative, Brian Ambrose, “We assumed, especially in light of a horrible economy where residents had little/no chance of home equity loans, that we would have funding for the full 3 years.  We were surprisingly mistaken.”

“We have now processed our 70th rebate.  Had we not had the commitment of our City Council to continue this funding, the program would be wrapping up now.  But I’m happy to announce we still have 40 rebates in total to pay out (there are up to 10 being installed right now, but rebates are paid out on a first come/first paid process after final inspection).  Fortunately, I am able to speak to many of the residents that come in to drop off their paperwork for the rebate, and I can say that an overwhelming amount are highly satisfied with their systems and the company that installed them,” said Ambrose.

Mr. Ambrose will update residents on the program at the headquarters of HelioPower on August 3.  HelioPower is located on Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta.  The company is doing a series of educational sessions on “Smart Meters & Solar” to help homeowners understand the new digital meters being installed by utilities and the applicability of solar in the “smart grid” world.

For more information about the Murrieta Solar Rebate program, call the city at (951) 304-CITY (2489) or HelioPower at 1.87.SOLAR.888.

Murrieta, a solar friendly California city, has added more incentives for resident homeowners.  This month the city passed the Home

Solar in Murrieta installed by HelioPower

Improvement Incentive Project to “promote home improvement projects for its residents and encourage job creation and local shopping for home improvement supplies and materials.”  The project also benefits energy efficiency upgrades including solar.

The permit and inspection fees for applicable projects with the completed permit fees submitted during  July 5 to July 13^th period will be refunded to the applicant following the completion of the work.  City officials said this week that the average savings will be up to $250.  The program applies to Murrieta residents working with Murrieta located businesses.

To support the Murrieta Home Improvement Incentive Project, HelioPower, a Murrieta based solar installation firm, will extend its $500 cash back offer to Murrieta homeowners who go solar on or before July 13, 2011.  The HelioPower $500 cash back offer is due to close on June 21, 2011. Local retailers including Home Depot and Lowe's will be offering discounts to residents during the Home Incentive week.

The HelioPower extended $500 cash back solar offer is designed to cover the estimated $250 permit fee rebate from the city.  HelioPower cannot guarantee that project construction plans would be completed in time to meet the city’s window of July 5th to July 13th for permit applications.  Thus the company will extend this cash back offer to cover the cost of the permit.

City officials also offer a $1000 solar rebate, of which approximately 45 remain for residential solar installations, as of this post date.

Murrieta residents who are interested in the program and want to get a list of participating local businesses can see city officials at the upcoming 20^th anniversary Birthday Bash to be held Saturday, June 25^th at California Oaks Sports Park or call City Building Officials at 951.461.6051.

For more information about the HelioPower program in the city of Murrieta visit us at www.HelioPower.com or call 877 SOLAR 888.

Murrieta is one of the most “solar friendly” cities in southern California.  Not only is the weather ideal for solar electricity generation, but the city officials have worked hard to create an atmosphere conducive to solar installations.

On Wednesday, March 30 at 6pm HelioPower will host an open house at the company’s headquarters located at 25767 Jefferson in

Solar installation in Murrieta by HelioPower. Van Dam family received Murrieta solar rebate in 2010.

Murrieta.  Residents will be able to tour the solar installation facility and get a status from city officials.  Brian Ambrose, Senior Management Analyst for the City of Murrieta will be on hand to provide an update on the city's solar friendly initiatives including the popular $1,000 solar rebate.  The program will also feature Scott Gordon, Vice President of Residential Sales and a popular speaker on solar, smart grid and smart meter related subjects.

Murrieta city officials report that the rebates for solar in their city are being claimed more quickly than they had anticipated.  As of March 14, the city has processed the 45th $1,000 rebate (out of a total allocated of 72).  So there are a total of 27 rebates remaining, although there are about 10 in the process of permitting, construction or final inspection stages.

In April 2010, the City of Murrieta began the Solar Rebate Program to incentivize residents to purchase a solar power system.  The rebate is open to purchased solar electricity systems on homes, not PPA’s or leases.  The City made available seventy-two $1,000 rebates with the expectation that it would take a minimum of 2 years until the rebates were fully paid out (based on past history).  However, as of March 14, there are only 27 remaining rebates.

On the business front, Murrieta is a solar installation company friendly city.  Officials understand that the permitting process costs solar installation firms added time and staff expense.  In an effort to save solar installation companies time (and therefore money!!), the City of Murrieta has recently implemented a more efficient permitting process for solar installations.  Instead of driving down to City Hall and waiting in line to submit permit paperwork, the city has adopted a scan and email submission system for solar permits.

Finally, Murrieta city officials have been very involved in the Western Riverside County Energy and Water Efficiency Conservation Program.  Last year the City of Murrieta and other area cities joined with the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) to implement a PACE/AB 811 program.  Everything was going smoothly until Fannie Mae sent out a directive to mortgage companies to not honor PACE loans (not take a subordinate position).  The city reports they have worked through the details and are ready to move forward with the program.  Brian Ambrose will give a brief update on this program.

For information on the HelioPower open house please call 1 87 SOLAR 888 or save a seat by reserving it here online for the free Murrieta solar event.

HelioPower, a leading solar power engineering and installation firm based in Murrieta, will host a free solar informational event featuring City of Murrieta Sr. Management Analyst, Brian Ambrose, Thursday, September 16, 2010.  Mr. Ambrose will give an update on city’s $1000 solar rebate program.  The event will also feature Scott Gordon, Vice President, Sales Residential for HelioPower.  The program will be held free of charge in the Annex room of the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper Street, Murrieta, CA, 92562 and will begin at 7pm.

“This is a no pressure, informational style setting to learn how to determine if solar can assist you in lowering or eliminating your electric bill,” said Scott Gordon.  “There are many programs now to assist with the financing of solar including the ability to purchase the clean power directly.  Many of our customers like to learn about solar in this type of event setting.  Murrieta is a very solar progressive city. We are very pleased to have their participation in this solar event.”

More information is available here:

http://www.heliopower.com/solar-right-you

http://solarinmurrietafreeevent.eventbrite.com