The San Jose Clean Energy Solar Access Program is a way for homeowners in San José, California, to get solar power at no upfront cost. You can choose to install solar panels on your roof or lease them from the utility company.
At Yorkshire Roofing, we are proud to be a part of the green movement by providing this excellent service. Call us now at (800) 794-7444 or drop us a message here!
The program was launched last year and has been growing ever since. In this article, we’ll explain how it works and whether it could be right for you.
What is the program?
The Solar Access Program is a citywide initiative, made possible by funding from San José Clean Energy and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), that offers reduced-cost solar for low-income residents of San José.
Participants can receive up to financial aid for their solar installation costs with no money down and start saving money as soon as they have solar panels installed in their homes!
Who can participate?
You can participate in the Solar Access Program if you are a San José Clean Energy customer and have a suitable roof for solar panels.
In the future, the institution hopes to expand the program to include people who are interested in renewable energy but aren’t current customers, as well as residents of other cities who have solar on their roofs. However, for now, we are only accepting applications from existing customers.
To participate in this program, the customers must be:
- Enrolled in either the California Alternate Rates for Energy program (CARE) or Family Electric Rates Assistance program (FERA)
- And live in one of the program’s qualifying neighborhoods
What is the process to sign up?
To get started, you can visit the San José Clean Energy website. There, you can fill out an application for the program.
You may also apply by calling 833-432-2454. The JCE will then review all applications every month.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive an email or letter confirming your status. You will then be placed as enrolled, on the waitlist, or not eligible.
Depending on your results, they will give you instructions on how to move forward. For waitlisted candidates, you can still be picked for the program provided that a spot is available.
What is the “solar potential” of my home?
Solar potential measures the amount of sunlight that hits your roof in a year. It can vary depending on where you live and how much cloud cover there is.
The more sunlight there is, the better—the more electricity your solar panels will generate. Solar potential is measured in kilowatt hours per square foot per year (kWh/ft2/yr).
A good way to think about this number is that it tells you how much energy one square foot of your roof will produce if covered with solar panels during all daylight hours for an entire year. To get a rough estimate for your home, enter its address into our solar map tool and see what your solar potential looks like!
How long will it take before I see savings on my bill?
The amount of time it takes to see savings will vary from person to person. It will depend largely on how much electricity you use and the amount of money you can save.
For example, if you use a lot of electricity every month and can lower that usage significantly through the said program, then it will probably take less time for your investment in this program to pay. That is compared to someone who only uses a small amount of electricity or does not expect any significant energy savings from installing solar panels.
On average, San José Clean Energy customers save around $32-100 per month. This amount can vary depending on your home’s energy usage and how much money you can save by switching to solar power.
Final Thoughts
With the San José Clean Energy Solar Access Program, you can get solar power at no upfront cost and zero out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, we’ll install a system on your roof and pay for it through a monthly discount on your electricity bill.
Once your system is installed, you’ll also save money on your energy bill—the amount depends on how much sun shines on your home and other factors like weather patterns or air conditioning use. That means that even if you don’t have the cash right now but want to go solar someday soon, this option could be perfect!
At Yorkshire Roofing, our mission is to provide superior service and quality solar power products at a reasonable price. Our staff has many years of experience in commercial and residential markets. Call us now at (800) 794-7444! If you would like us to reach out to you, contact us here.