Page 193 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

PRINCIPAL TYPES OF MUNICIPAL LEASES 169

Special Funding for Affordable

Housing Projects

California Assembly Bill 58 mandates the CEC to establish an additional rebate for
systems installed on affordable housing projects. These projects are entitled to qualify
for an extra 25 percent rebate above the standard rebate level, provided that the total
amount rebated does not exceed 75 percent of the system cost. The eligibility criteria
for qualifying are as follows:

■ The affordable housing project must adhere to California health and safety codes.
■ The property must expressly limit residency to extremely low, very-low, lower-, or
moderate-income persons and must be regulated by the California Department of
Housing and Community Development.
■ Each residential unit (i.e., apartment, multifamily home) must have individual electric
utility meters.
■ The housing project must be 10 percent more energy efficient than current standards
specify.

Special Funding for Public

and Charter Schools

A special amendment to the CEC mandate enacted on February 4, 2004, established a solar
schools program to provide a higher level of funding for public and charter schools to
encourage the installation of PV generating systems at more school sites. At present, the
California Department of Finance has allocated a total of $2.25 million for this purpose.
To qualify for additional funds, the schools must meet the following criteria:

■ Public or charter schools must provide instruction to kindergarten students or any
students in grades 1 to 12.
■ The schools must have installed high-efficiency fluorescent lighting in at least
80 percent of classrooms.
■ The schools must agree to establish a curriculum tie-in plan to educate students
about the benefits of solar energy and energy conservation.

Principal Types of Municipal Leases

There are two types of municipal bonds. One type is referred to as a tax-exempt munic-
ipal lease and has been available for many years, being used primarily for the purchase
of equipment and machinery that has a life expectancy of 7 years or less. The second