California solar initiative for existing homes

The expected performance is calculated based on the size, angle and location of the  solar installation. For larger systems, the incentive is based on the actual performance of the system over the first five years.

The California Solar Initiative pays solar consumers their incentive either all-at-once for smaller systems, or over the course of five years, for larger systems.

The budget for California's solar initiative for the years 2007 through 2016 is $2,167 million, out of which $1,897 million is for direct incentives to consumers.

Assisting the CPUC in the program are California's major investor-owned utilities - Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric.