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In Washington State, customers of Clark Public Utilities who install solar water heating systems are entitled to a $1,000 rebate. The system must meet the guidelines stated by Bonneville Power Administration’s The Bright Way to Heat Water – Solar Water Heater Program.
First, the solar water heater should be installed in a household that’s serviced by Clark Public Utilities. The customer must own the property or be the owner’s legal representative. To be eligible, the serviced hot water must be supplied by an electric water heater. Do-it-yourself systems are disqualified. Only Bonneville-certified heaters can receive the incentive. These should be purchased from a contractor who has been approved by the utility. Once installed, the solar water heater must be inspected by a Clark Public Utilities representative for final approval. You can read the general technical specification of the program here.
If a person is interested in installing a solar water heating system but can’t afford one, Clark Public Utilities has a Solar Energy Equipment Loan. The loan has a 5.25% interest rate with a 60-month term for solar water heating systems, and a 84-month term for photovoltaic systems. A person can borrow up to $10,000 for solar pool and solar water heaters, while the amount available for solar photovoltaic is $30,000. The loans are subject to a $225 setup fee.
Clark Public Utilities will provide the applicant a list of approved contractors and technical assistance. The company will also review and approve the installation contract before processing the loan application. The applicant would just have to select a contractor, who will then secure the required building permits and install the approved solar system. Once the installation is complete, Clark Public Utilities will inspect the system to make sure that the installation is correct. Once approved, the rebate check will be issued.
Just like other counties in Washington State, Clark Public Utilities offers several energy incentives for their residential clients who use Energy Star appliances, such as freezers, refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, and dishwashers. Incentives are also available for various heating equipment such as geothermal heat pumps, ductless heat pumps, and air-source heat pumps. Weatherization improvements for the homes are eligible for rebates as well.
For more information regarding Clark Public Utilities, you can contact:
Bob West
1200 Fort Vancouver Way
P.O. Box 8900
Vancouver, WA 98668
Phone: (360) 992-3362
Phone 2: (360) 992-3000
Fax: (360) 992-3038
E-Mail: mailbox@clarkpud.com
Web Site: http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a source of a official legal or financial advice. While we attempt to represent all data as accurately as possible, we advice you to refer to official government websites, for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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I think it is fantastic how we are using renewable energy and going green in so many ways. I think we also need to do things like this that reduces our energy usage, like installing geothermal heat pumps to replace high energy heating and cooling systems.
@Nolan, thanks for your feedback. I agree, there is quite a lot more we can do! Geothermal energy is a great idea, heating takes up more energy than just about anything else in a home.