EWEB - Residential Solar Water Heating Loan Program

Summary

Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) offers residential customers a loan and cash discount program called, "The Bright Way To Heat Water." The program is designed to promote the installation of solar water heaters and solar pool heating systems. It began in May 1990 as part of a demand-side management initiative. The loans have been offered since May 1995.

EWEB provides all funding for both loans and cash discounts. Customers may apply for loans of up to 75% of system cost at 0% interest with a repayment period of up to 60 months. The cash discount, or rebate, amount must be subtracted from the system cost prior to calculating the loan amount. The loan must be approved by EWEB before the system is installed. The loan payments begin after the utility has fully inspected the solar water heater or solar pool heating system.

A cash discount of $500 is available for solar domestic water heaters and solar pool heating systems. The systems with the best energy savings qualify for the higher rebate amounts. The cash discount is paid directly by EWEB to the contractor after the system has passed final inspection. The contractor passes this discount on to the customer when the sales contract is finalized.

To be eligible, customers must own the residential property or be the owner’s legally assigned representative, must have EWEB electric service, and must currently have an electric water heater (or pool heater). Qualifying systems must be installed by an eligible program contractor. Please contact Energy Management Services at (541)685-7000 for a list of eligible contractors.