Recently, Fount Hanson emailed CalFinder Solar wondering at the unavailability of solar rebates for self-installed solar systems. Mr. Hanson is a retired electrician, one who would likely pass the solar DIY quiz. Still, under most state laws, including California, solar systems must be installed by registered contractors. Systems are otherwise ineligible for state rebates.

There are a few reasons why I think such rules may be in place.

• For one, the vast majority of people are not qualified to properly install a complicated solar electric system. These rules are partially an attempt to discourage hackneyed systems which may not effectively produce electricity and be a subsequent waste of state funds.
• This rule has helped to create jobs and increased the number of people who are trained and certified to install solar systems.

Now, that doesn’t make it any easier to be an unrecognized exception to the rule. There are, however, some good reasons why Mr. Hanson and other qualified DIYers should go for it anyway.

• First of all, in his email, Mr. Hanson noted that he would likely install a stand-alone, off-grid system without rebates as an incentive to interconnect. That is fine. Any excess electricity would go to a battery bank for use at night. It is important to remember that the main issue is clean, renewable energy. However one chooses to go about implementing sustainable solutions, the right choice has been made.
• Secondly, in terms of interconnecting, I can find no rules that say a DIY solar installation could not qualify for net metering or California’s feed-in tariff. The information is, however, ambiguous. I attempted to contact the California Public Utilities Commission but have not yet heard back. Furthermore, some utilities have production incentives that allow DIY systems. See DSIRE for information relevant to your state and utility.
• Thirdly, federal solar tax credits also allow, so far as I can tell, for “self-constructed” solar systems. Solar water heating equipment must be certified by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a similar, state-endorsed organization. There are no certification requirements for PV installations. Plus, beginning in 2009, the $2,000 cap on residential claims will be lifted.
• Finally, despite the lack of any and all rebates, the money saved by eliminating labor costs – plus future savings on energy bills – may make it a worthwhile venture on its own.

Perhaps Fount Hanson and other qualified DIYers should qualify for state solar rebates or, at least, be given avenues by which to assert their claim (a solar building inspector is just one idea). Regardless, this is a complex issue because, inevitably, solar installations are themselves complex. It is neither safe nor beneficial to renewable energy goals to allow anyone to build their own systems – that is at the current level of technology. Perhaps someday we will be able to paint solar cells onto roofs and constructing solar panels will become simple. On that day, however, you will likely see the erasure of rebates across the board because solar will no longer need to be subsidized.

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Posted on November 25th in Going Solar by Dan.