Solar Water Heating Research Study FAQ's

Why is Progress Energy offering this program?
Who can participate in the study?
How does Progress Energy's Solar Water Heating Research Study work?
How do I get started?
Can I participate in the Program if I rent a house or apartment?
I live in a townhouse and I am the owner. Am I eligible to apply?
Am I guaranteed the $1,000 incentive if I am eligible and apply for the Research Study?
How will I know if I qualify for the study?
How do I find an authorized installer?
If I want to use my own installer, what do I do?
I'm a solar installer; how can I become an "authorized installer?"
Can I install the solar water heating system myself?
My installation is complete, how do I get my $1,000 incentive rebate?
Whom do I contact with additional questions about the Solar Water Heating Pilot Program?
Can I get a rebate for work performed prior to July 1, 2009?
Can I combine my rebate from Progress Energy with the state and federal incentives?
Is financing available to help pay for the solar water heating system installation?
What permit is required for the Solar Water Heating Research Study?
How much should I expect a residential solar water heating system to cost?
What am I expected to do as a participant in the study?
How long will the study last?
Who will do the final inspection required to receive the $1,000 incentive?
If my home is selected to receive monitoring equipment, what information will it report on?
When the study is over, what happens to the monitoring equipment?
If I move before the pilot is completed, what do I need to do?

Why is Progress Energy offering this program?
Progress Energy is committed to developing new, alternative energy sources. As part of that commitment, we're implementing a research study to determine the feasibility, impact and cost of residential solar water heating systems in the Carolinas.

Who can participate in the study?
The program is open to Progress Energy Carolinas residential customers in an owner-occupied, single-family home that is the customer's primary residence. You must be receiving service from Progress Energy and have an operable electric water heater at the participating residence to supplement the solar system during the duration of the study. Eligible new solar water heating units must be installed by a Company-approved and authorized specialty installer. In addition, you may be required to allow, at Company's expense, the installation of monitoring equipment and the retrieval of operating data related to the solar water heating equipment.

How does Progress Energy's Solar Water Heating Research Study work?
The study offers an incentive $1,000 per eligible participant for the installation of a new solar water heating system meeting the research study's equipment certification and warranty requirements. The payment is our way of helping you invest in a solar water heater and provides compensation for any inconveniences encountered in the process of installation of measurement equipment and time spent responding to participant surveys.

How do I get started?
Get started by reviewing the Solar Water Heating Research Study Participation Checklist. It provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to participate.

Can I participate in the Program if I rent a house or apartment?
No, the Program is limited to single family homes that are owner-occupied.

I live in a townhouse and I am the owner. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, a townhome may qualify to participate if it meets all other criteria.

Am I guaranteed the $1,000 incentive if I am eligible and apply for the Research Study?
No, participants will be selected for the study to achieve geographic and demographic diversity.

How will I know if I qualify for the study?
You will receive notice, either through e-mail or regular mail, as to whether or not you have been accepted into the study. Acceptance into the study does not guarantee receipt of the $1,000 incentive. The incentive is contingent on completion of the steps as outlined in the Participation Checklist.

How do I find an authorized installer?
Progress Energy has posted a list of solar water heating installers at Progress-Energy.com/swh. You can use this link to go directly to the list of authorized installers.

If I want to use my own installer, what do I do?
If your installer is on our authorized list, simply call and schedule an appointment and be sure to mention that you are a Progress Energy customer interested in participating in the Solar Water Heating Research Study. If your installer is not on the list and you want to participate, you will need to select one from our list of authorized installers.

I'm a solar installer; how can I become an "authorized installer?"
Progress Energy has listed on our Web site the criteria for installers to become one of the research study's authorized installers. This designation verifies to Progress Energy customers that the installer is familiar with the program guidelines and can help them with the rebate process. Interested installers may email us at SWHPP@pgnmail.com for assistance.

Can I install the solar water heating system myself?
No. To qualify for the rebate, only a Progress Energy authorized installer may obtain the work permits and perform the solar water heating system installation.

My installation is complete, how do I get my $1,000 incentive rebate?
After the work is completed, the system is inspected and certified by you local authority and program requirements are met, the homeowner or the the specialty installer must mail or fax a copy of the inspection certificate to Progress Energy, Attn: Applicant Review, 100 E. Davie St., Two Progress Plaza (TPP 8), Raleigh, NC 27601, or fax: 919.546.7381. Rebate checks will be processed and mailed within 8 to 10 weeks of receipt.

Whom do I contact with additional questions about the SWH Pilot Program?
If you have any questions, please send your inquiry via e-mail to SWHPP@pgnmail.com.

Can I get a rebate for work performed prior to July 1, 2009?
No, all rebates start on July 1, 2009. Any system installed prior to that date is not eligible for the incentive.

Can I combine my rebate from Progress Energy with the state and federal incentives?
Yes, the Progress Energy rebate is separate from any other incentives you may qualify for. You can learn more about tax incentives by going to http://www.dsireusa.org/.

Is financing available to help pay for the solar water heating system installation?
Although Progress Energy does not offer financing for these systems, you may be able to work with your installer or your financial institution on financing options.

What permit is required for the Solar Water Heating Research Study?
The permit required to install a solar water heating system varies depending upon municipal and county ordinances, installation requirements for the applicable system and installer licensing. Progress Energy will accept a Building Permit, Mechanical Permit or a Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Sprinkler Permit and Final Inspection Certificate for the Solar Water Heating Research Study.

How much should I expect a residential solar water heating system to cost?
A recent survey of the solar contractor industry indicated prices may range from $4,000 to 8,000. But prices will vary depending upon the system design (type and size) installed.

What am I expected to do as a participant in the study?
If you apply and are selected to take part in the study, your role will include the completion of surveys/questionnaires over the course of the approximately 18-month study period. Your home may also be chosen for the installation of monitoring equipment (provided at no expense to you). Those selected will be expected to facilitate retrieval of data related to the solar water heating equipment.

How long will the study last?
The study will be completed after approximately 18 to 24 months.

Who will do the final inspection required to receive the $1,000 incentive?
A local municipal or county inspector will inspect the completed solar water heating system installed in accordance with the permit that was issued. Consult with your installer to contact the appropriate agency.

If my home is selected to receive monitoring equipment, what information will it report on?
Monitoring equipment will provide data on water utilization and the amount of electricity not used for heating the water with the installation of the Solar Water Heating System. Additional information will be gathered through periodic surveys that will be sent to each participant.

When the study is over, what happens to the monitoring equipment?
The monitoring equipment will be removed or disabled at Company's expense at the termination of the study.

If I move before the pilot is completed, what do I need to do?
Please contact Progress Energy Solar Water Heating Research Study team at SWHPP@pgnmail.com so we can update our records to take into account the change in utilization of the system or change in demographics of the new homeowners.