In addition to the NSHP funding for the installation of the solar system, the NSHP rewards additional funding if home builders deliver a certain level of energy efficiency in their housing projects. The incentives depend on the degree of energy efficiency that is achieved in the new housing project. Two levels of program participation (identical with NSHP incentive prerequisites) are available:

Tier 1

• Requirements
• Title 24 Standards + 15% or higher (all homes in the housing project must exceed Title 24 Energy Code requirements by at least 15%)
• home appliances provided by the builder must be ENERGY STAR qualified (if applicable models are available)
• Incentive
• One-time payment per unit (example for PG&E area: $500 per unit for inland climate zone/§400 for coastal climate zone)

Tier 2

• Requirements
• Title 24 Standards + 35% or higher and 40% or higher for cooling energy (35% reduction in the residential building’s combined space heating, cooling, and water heating energy and 40 percent in the residential building’s space cooling (air conditioning) energy compared to the current Title 24 Standards)
• home appliances provided by the builder must be ENERGY STAR qualified (if applicable models are available)
• homes in the project must include solar generation as an option
• Incentive
• One-time payment per unit (example for PG&E area: $2000 per unit for all climate zones)