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).

What is a solar water heating (SWH) system and why should I install one?

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.

How much does a system cost and how much is the incentive?

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 $1,400 to $2,700, 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.

Key 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 multifamily 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.

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

Select one of our participating Service Providers to work with.

Low-Income 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 on-site 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.

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

Table A. 200% of the 2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines 

• Public Housing Authority
• Housing Trust Fund
• Multifamily 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)

Learn More about Solar Water Heating Technology

• Read our Program Brochure
• U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program