With Rebate Program in Full Swing, U.S. Solar Manufacturer Aquatherm Industries Expects Growth in California Commercial Pool Heating Market
Lakewood, NJ (PRWEB) June 30, 2014 -- Though the U.S. Solar Industry is no stranger to incentive programs, one particular application – pool heating – has traditionally been excluded from receiving such subsidies. Thanks to an amendment of the existing California Solar Initiative Rebate Program, multi-family residential and commercial properties are now eligible to receive a rebate for installing a solar pool heating system. Aquatherm Industries, Inc., the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar pool heaters, expects significant growth in the California commercial sector thanks to the CSI-Thermal Rebate Program.
Originally signed into law in October 2012, AB2249 was the piece of legislation that paved the way for eligibility of commercial pool heating in the program. However it wasn’t until January 2014 that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) began accepting applications. In the six months that has passed, over $1.3 million in program funding has been appropriated to pool heating projects.
Molly Friar, Sales & Marketing Manager for Aquatherm Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of solar pool heaters located in Lakewood, New Jersey, says she expects installations under the program to increase exponentially, now that the first projects have been inspected.
“When details of the program were first released, feedback from those involved in the industry resulted in some delays. Unfortunately, that resulted in a lack of confidence amongst contractors in promoting the program and, subsequently, a slow start.”
Friar believes the program has begun to gain traction, now that the CPUC has begun issuing incentive checks. “Over 50% of applications for incentive money were submitted in May and June alone, with 80% of all current reservations having been submitted in the second quarter.”
The CSI-Thermal Program is funded by the ratepayers of several major gas utilities, including PG&E, SCE, SoCal Gas and SDG&E. A total of $80,000,000 in incentive money exists for thermal technologies, which includes domestic solar water heating, solar pool heating, and solar space heating/cooling. The rebate program is tiered, and steps down once dispersed incentives cross a certain threshold.
Though the program expires in 2017 if funds are not used, Friar cautions those who are waiting. “The fact is, the incentive money is already being used, and the contractors and facilities that act first will secure the highest rebates.”
For more information, and to request a free payback and performance analysis, visit Aquatherm's page on the California Solar Initiative Rebate.
About Aquatherm
Aquatherm Industries, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of solar pool heating systems in the United States; the only U.S. manufacturer of NSF listed solar pool heaters, and the only U.S. solar collector manufacturer to achieve the ISO 9001:2008 quality standard. Aquatherm manufactures several of the industry’s leading brands of solar pool heating collectors, including the Solar Industries, Ecosun and Ultrasun solar pool heating collectors.
Aquatherm’s entire manufacturing process takes place at its 50,000-square foot technology center in Lakewood, NJ - the most modern facility of its kind in the world. For more information on Aquatherm Industries, its products or its dealer network, contact Molly Friar, Aquatherm’s Sales & Marketing Manager at 1-800-535-6307, extension 226.
Molly Friar, Aquatherm Industries, http://www.aquathermindustries.com, +1 (732) 905-9002 Ext: 226, [email protected]
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