PSI Rebate Details

There are two types of rebate incentives, the Expected Performance Based Buydown ("EPBB") and the Performance Based Incentive ("PBI"), which differ mainly in payment schedule and method of rebate calculation, as described in the table below.  Applicants with systems over 30 kW-AC are eligible for the PBI incentive only. Applicants with systems of 30 kW-AC or less may choose either incentive type.

EPBB vs. PBI COMPARISON

1. Rebate rates are effective June 1, 2012 and are based on CEC-AC Watts. Rates may be reduced at any time prior to application approval.  
2. For the EPBB incentive, PV system wattage is based on system performance, i.e., CEC-AC Watts (not capacity), which is influenced by factors such as shading, orientation, system size, location and angle. PSI calculates system performance and the associated EPBB rebate in the same manner as The California Solar Initiative's EPBB Incentive Calculator (substitute the current PSI rebate rates). 
3. Residential solar leases and PPA's qualify for residential PSI rebates under the applicable rebate category. Third-party ownerships (e.g., leases or PPA's) must use the commercial rate.

Perfomance-Based Incentive Payments ("PBI")

Applicants with PV systems from 1 to 1000 kW CEC-AC are eligible for the PBI incentive, which is a flat cents-per-kWh payment based on actual metered energy output of solar power produced during each of the first five years of operation. Once the reservation is confirmed, the incentive rate will remain fixed during that 5-year payment period.

Systems sized 30 kW CEC-AC or less may also opt for the EPBB payment schedule described in the next section below. 

PBI Payment Calculation:

PBI Payment Amount = Annual measured output (kWh) x PBI Payment Rate

Example: Commercial installation of a 200 kW CEC-AC system:   

Customers can estimate their annual energy output and corresponding incentive payment amounts using the California Solar Initiative EPBB Incentive Calculator.

Expected Performance Based Buydown ("EPBB")

Applicants with PV systems up to 30 kW CEC-AC may choose the EPBB payment option, which is a one-time payment at the applicable EPBB payment rate (by customer type) after the installation has been completed and approved.

Systems sized 30 kW CEC-AC or less may opt for the PBI payment structure described above.

EPBB Payment Calculation:

EPBB Payment Amount = CEC-AC Rating x Design Factor x EPBB Payment Rate

Example:  

• Residential customer installing a 20 kW CEC-AC system:
• EPBB Payment Amount = 20,000 Watts CEC-AC x Design Factor 95% x $1.40/Watt
• EPBB Payment Amount = $26,600

"CEC-AC Rating" is the California Energy Commission's standard for determining a solar module's AC wattage. It is based on system performance, not capacity, which is influenced by factors such as shading, orientation, system size, location and angle. The system's CEC-AC Rating and Design Factor are determined using California Solar Initiative's EPBB Incentive Calculator.

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