Solar Water Heating Program
General Program Overview
Oncor will provide cash incentives for the purchase and installation of solar water heating (SWH) systems in qualifying homes. Interested homeowners, renters, developers, and builders can participate by working with a SWH installer (Service Provider).
A SWH system uses the sun's energy to supplement a home's hot water supply for activities such as dishwashing, laundry, showers, etc. While a SWH system cannot replace a home's electric water heater, it can drastically reduce the electricity required for hot water needs, typically by 40% to 85%. The sun's energy is free and can reduce a home's electricity consumption in an environmentally-friendly way.
SWH systems can range in cost from a few thousand dollars to several thousand dollars depending upon the type of system installed. Incentives are paid to SWH installers; your bill from the installer will show the incentive as a deduction from the installation cost. Oncor's SWH Program reduces an installed system's costs by $600 to $1,500, based on the system's predicted performance. A SWH system really becomes an affordable investment when you combine Oncor's incentive with additional federal tax credits that may be available to you. You can find more information about the Program in our brochure.
Eligibility Requirements
- Homes must be located in Oncor's service area and receive service from an Oncor electric meter.
- Homes may be single-family or individually-metered multi-family properties.
- Homes may be new construction or existing properties.
- Existing homes must currently use electric water heating systems. Existing homes with gas water heating are ineligible.
- New construction must be without gas service to be eligible.
Oncor's SWH Program offers incentives for low-income households. The low-income incentive covers 95% of system costs up to $3,800. Learn about additional eligibility requirements for the low-income incentive.
Qualifying Solar Water Heater Systems
Qualifying SWH systems must conform to the SRCC OG-300 standard and must be installed by a participating Service Provider. Solar pool heaters do not qualify for the Program.
How to Participate
Homeowners, renters, developers, and builders can apply for the Program through a participating Service Providers. If you are a contractor interested in participating in the Program, visit www.texassolarwaterheating.com.
For more information about this Program, please call or email us.
Phone: 1.866.728.3674
Email: eecustinfo@oncor.com
Low-Income Incentive
As of June 2009, the 2009 calendar year budget for low-income incentives has been reserved completely. Qualifying customers will be able to apply for the low-income incentive on January 1, 2010. If additional funds become available before then, the Program will update this web page accordingly. Funds are still available in 2009 for the regular residential incentive.
Oncor provides enhanced cash incentives to Service Providers for the purchase and installation of solar water heating systems in a limited number of qualifying low-income homes. The low-income incentive covers 95% of system purchase and installation costs, with a maximum incentive of $3,800. Eligible costs include equipment costs and labor costs for onsite preparation, assembly, installation, and interconnection to piping and wiring.
In addition to the eligibility requirements for the regular incentive, residential properties applying for the low-income incentive must meet the following requirements:
- Single-family home: The customer must have an annual household income at or below the levels in Table A below.
Table A: 200% of the 2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines
| Size of Family | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Weekly Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,660.00 | $1,805.00 | $416.54 |
| 2 | $29,140.00 | $2,428.33 | $560.38 |
| 3 | $36,620.00 | $3,051.67 | $704.23 |
| 4 | $44,100.00 | $3,675.00 | $848.08 |
| 5 | $51,580.00 | $4,298.33 | $991.92 |
| 6 | $59,060.00 | $4,921.67 | $1,135.77 |
| 7 | $66,540.00 | $5,545.00 | $1,279.62 |
| 8 | $74,020.00 | $6,168.33 | $1,423.46 |
| For each additional person, add: | $7,480.00 | $623.33 | $143.85 |
- Multi-family residential property: At least 75% of the units must be rented by customers with an annual household income at or below the levels in the table above; OR
- The property must participate in one or more of the programs listed below:
- Public Housing Authority
- Housing Trust Fund
- Multi-Family Bond Program, with less than 25% of the units at market rate
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, with less than 25% of the units at market rate
- Project-Based Section 8
- Affordable Housing Disposition Program
- HOME Rental Housing Development
- Rural Rental Section 515 (FMHA)
- The property must participate in one or more of the programs listed below: