Southwest Gas is offering rebates to Nevada residential customers for a limited time on qualifying high-efficiency solar thermal water heaters and solar thermal space heating installed in conjunction with natural gas water heaters and/or natural gas furnaces. Long-term energy savings can be realized throughout the life of the solar thermal equipment.

Solar water heaters can meet 50 percent or more of a home's hot water needs annually. Solar space heaters can also meet a percentage of a home's space heating needs annually.

Source: EnergyStar.gov

What are solar thermal systems?
Solar thermal systems utilize collectors to heat the water. These collectors are designed to absorb the sun's energy, getting hot enough to heat the water passing through. The three most common collectors are flat plate, integral collector-storage, and evacuated tube. Flat plate collectors consist of dark metal or polymer located in rectangular boxes on the roof. Small tubes carry water there to be heated. Integral collector-storage collectors consist of black tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Evacuated-tube collectors, primarily used for commercial purposes, consist of rows of glass tubes connected to heat absorbing metal tubes and fins.

Invest in a better environment
The purchase of a solar system can take 10 years to pay for itself, but by taking advantage of the Southwest Gas STAR program, along with the Federal tax credits*, you are able to recoup the price premium more quickly. Qualified solar water heaters can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by half. Additionally, the average life expectancy of qualified solar water heating systems is 20 years, much longer than standard storage water heaters.

Application Details
Rebates are available for purchases made November 1, 2009 through November 30, 2011 or until program funds are depleted, whichever comes first. Due to limited funding, please submit your rebate application as soon as possible after purchase. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2011.

Eligible Requirements and Rebate Levels

• All qualifying systems/collectors must be installed in a Nevada residential customer home receiving natural gas from Southwest Gas.
• Rebates are limited to new equipment only; leased, used or rebuilt equipment is not eligible.
• Any individual rebate amount cannot exceed the purchase price of the new equipment.
• Rebates are limited to a maximum of one per customer per system. (For example, one customer could apply for both the space heating and water heating rebates if they installed a dual system.)
• Rebates are subject to program limitations.
• Offer is not valid with other utility rebates for the same system.

Solar Thermal System	Requirements	Available Rebate
Water Heating	SRCC1 certified system (OG-300); natural gas water heater back-up	30% of the total installed cost up to $1,500
Space Heating	SRCC1 certified collectors (OG-100); natural gas furnace back-up	30% of the total installed cost up to $3,000

¹SRCC is the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation

How Do I Apply For Rebates?

To determine system eligibility prior to purchase, and to obtain a rebate application, please click here or call 1-800-654-2765.

For more information on qualifying systems please visit the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation's website at www.solar-rating.org^*.

Required Documents
Along with the completed, signed rebate application, please submit a copy of your invoice(s) that lists where the solar thermal system was purchased, the date(s) of purchase, model number(s), the contractor who preformed the install, the labor costs, and the date it was installed. Note: The solar thermal system(s) must be installed prior to the payment of any rebates. Southwest Gas reserves the right to verify both the SRCC certification of the system and installation before rebate is issued.

Processing Time for Rebate
Please allow 6-8 weeks to receive your rebate(s).

^*By clicking the links, you will leave www.swgas.com and transfer directly to the website of a third-party provider which is not affiliated with Southwest Gas Corporation. The Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy on that website apply.

This program is funded by Southwest Gas Corporation's Nevada customers and administered by Southwest Gas Corporation. This program has been reviewed and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice and is provided to qualified customers on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available. Eligibility requirements also apply. Southwest Gas Corporation does not make any warranty, express or implied, or assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, estimated savings, and benefits attributed to the products that qualify for this program. Reference to any specific product, project, or service by manufacturer, trade name, trademark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Southwest Gas Corporation. To qualify, equipment must meet technical requirements and be installed according to local building codes and ordinances and/or manufacturer's requirements. If you have questions visit www.swgas.com or call 1-800-654-2765 to confirm eligibility before purchasing products.