Energy Resources

The City of Long Beach Solar Water Heating Program (SWHP)

Solar water heating is an excellent way to save on water heating costs, while also dramatically reducing your property’s carbon footprint. Solar water heating systems rely on an unlimited power source – sunlight – to generate hot water for your property while protecting you from future utility bill increases and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Long Beach Energy Resources Department offers rebates for residential (single family and multifamily), commercial and industrial customers that install solar water heating systems in their homes and businesses.

How does solar water heating work? 

A solar water heating system uses solar collectors mounted on your roof to capture the sun’s energy and transfer it to your domestic hot water supply.

When installing a solar water heating system, you won’t replace your existing water heater or central boiler. Rather, the SWH system serves as a pre-heat to your existing water heater, supplying solar heated water so your existing water heater works less. Because you keep your existing natural gas water heater, you’ll always have hot water, even when the sun doesn’t shine. A well-designed SWH system can reduce your water heating costs by as much as 75%.

How to claim a rebate

The City of Long Beach is offering rebates for qualifying solar water heating systems for single family residential, multifamily residential, commercial and industrial properties and commercial pools.

To qualify for a rebate, the solar water heating system must meet certain criteria, described in detail in the Program Handbook .

All SWHP rebates will be awarded in the following two-step process: 

• Step 1: An SWHP eligible contractor submits a Reservation Request Form, along with supporting documentation, to the SWHP program administrator. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once completed the funds will be reserved for a six-month period for single family projects and an 18-month period for multifamily, commercial and industrial projects.
• Step 2: Once the SWH system has been installed, permitted and is operational, the contractor submits an Incentive Claim Form and supporting documentation to the SWHP program administrator. Once all documents are completed, the program administrator will either schedule a field inspection (if required) or issue payment of the rebate.

Rebate levels

Rebates are determined based on the expected annual performance of the solar water heating system, the incentive level for the corresponding budget program and other factors including shading and the orientation of the system. Incentive levels for the various programs are as follows.

For information on the remaining amounts in each budget category, please contact the program administrator at swhp@longbeach.gov. 

How to become an eligible contractor

To be eligible to apply for rebates through the City of Long Beach SWHP, contractors must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an active A, B, C-4, C-36, or C-46 license, and
• Be an eligible contractor in the California Solar Initiative Thermal Program, OR
• Have completed a City of Long Beach SWHP How to Become an Eligible Contractor workshop, offered via free webinar by the Center for Sustainable Energy.

Program forms and resources

• Program Handbook
• Contractor Application Form
• Reservation Request Form
  • Single Family
  • Multifamily/Commercial
  • Commercial Pool
• Rebate Claim Form
  • Single Family
  • Multifamily/Commercial
  • Commercial Pool
• Inspection Checklist
  • Single Family
  • Multifamily/Commercial
  • Commercial Pool

Contact

If you have any questions about the City of Long Beach Solar Water Heating Program, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Hard copies of application forms or other supporting documentation can be mailed to the SWHP program administrator at:

Center for Sustainable Energy
Attn: City of Long Beach Solar Water Heating Program
3980 Sherman St. Suite 170
San Diego, CA 92110