Solar Hot Water and Photovoltaic
A solar hot water heater costs less than solar electric panels and can reduce 50-80% of your water heating bill. The system usually consists of a collector plate installed on the roof, and a series of pipes connecting the plate to a solar storage tank. For gray days or winter months, there is also a backup water heater.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (eere.energy.gov), the price of a solar hot water system included in a 30-year mortgage equates to about $15 per month, which compared to water heating costs may make a system immediately profitable. There is currently a 30% federal tax credit for solar water heaters — more info at energystar.gov.

Palo Alto Utilities (cpau.com) customers can get a financial incentive of up to $1,500 for installing a solar water heating system. The State of California’s Flex Your Power web site has a comprehensive list of rebates and incentives for renewable energy at flexyourpower.com.

Purchasing Green Power
Buying green power is more than a boost to your conscience. While it may seem counter intuitive to increase the amount you spend on your utilities, it sends a message to power providers and the money must be spent on expanding green power projects. Customers of PG&E can participate in the Climate Smart Program (joinclimatesmart.com) for around $5/month. Silicon Valley Power (siliconvalleypower.com) customers can participate in the Santa Clara Green Power program, which offers 100% renewable energy for an additional 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, or about $7.50 per month. Palo Alto residents can sign up for Palo Alto Green (cpau.com), a mix of wind and solar energy.

Before purchasing carbon credits or green power, check that the providers are certified through Green-e (green-e.org), an independent consumer protection program that rates renewable energy programs. Both the Palo Alto and Santa Clara programs are Green-e certified.