California solar incentives have worked wonders for the state that is bestowed with year-round sunny skies. Thanks to six solar energy incentives for its residents, the state of California now ranks as one of the highest solar power-generating states in the USA.
List of Six California Solar Incentives Programmes
| Sl No | INCENTIVE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federal solar tax credit | As a CA resident,you can claim the 30% Solar Energy Investment Tax credit on your federal tax return. |
| 2 | Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) | Incentives for installing solar battery storage systems smaller than 10 kW. Rebates ranges between 15 to 20% of the cost of battery , when you install up to $0.25 per watt-hour of storage installed or up to $1/Wh for qualifying low-income or disadvantaged customers |
| 3 | State property tax exemptions | An exemption from any additional property taxes due to installing solar, valid only until the end of 2024 |
| 4 | Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) | The PACE program offers easy funding loan to residents. It is currently implemented in 20 states including California. |
| 5 | Net metering | Mandated by law, but no longer full retail rate credits. Now a time-of-use tariff |
| 6 | DAC-SASH program | Funded through 2030, DAC-SASH offers free or low-cost residential solar to low-income families and residents in disadvantaged communities |
1. Federal solar energy tax credit
Like any tax US citizen, a California resident can avail of 30% of the federal solar tax credit. We have put a detailed article- How to Claim Solar Tax Credit 2023? and also a federal solar tax credit calculator
2. California’s SGIP – Self Generation Incentive Program
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides customers with a financial rebate for using battery storage. The SGIP rebate is only for solar storage, so as long as you’re adding battery storage for solar power. The SGIP tax rebate is in the range of 15-20% of the average battery cost. However, for some Medical Baseline people living in Tier 2 or Tier 3 High Fire Threat Districts, full cost offset is also possible. The Medical Baseline Program, also known as Medical Baseline Allowance, is an assistance program for residential customers who depend on power for certain medical needs.
What is California’s Medical Baseline Program?
How to claim SGIP incentive.
- Find an approved SGIP installer by using the “Find an Installer” tool on the CPUC website.
- Once your installer provides you with the eligible energy storage system, a representative will file the paperwork needed to get you the rebate for which you qualify.
3. California state property tax exemptions for solar energy system
This property tax exemption is available when you either sell or buy the property in the state of California or when you start constructing a new house or even undertake a major renovation to a house in the state of California. As per, Section 73 of the state’s revenue and taxation code allows a property tax exclusion for qualifying new solar installations. This law of exclusion of property tax on implementing a solar energy system in your property is extended up to January 1, 2025.
4. Property-Assessed Clean Energy Loan for Solar Energy
PACE or Propert-Assessed Clean Energy Program, is currently running in twenty states, including the state of California. It is an easy loan option under which local authorities work with finances and help property owners to finance their qualified solar energy and energy efficiency projects. The homeowners pay back their local authority via an increased property tax bill, usually over a period of 20 years.
5.Net Metering Credit incentives for solar energy
Net metering or Net Energy Metering (NEM) credits are added to homeowners’ bills for the extra electricity their solar panels generate. In other words, you pay for the difference between the total energy your solar system produces and the total energy your home consumes. Net metering is available in the three large investor-owned utility companies in California -Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) or Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E).
6. Disadvantaged Communities Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) Program
DAC-SASH program provides incentives to qualified residents to offset the cost of a solar energy system at the rate of $3 per watt to eligible homeowners. This means if you install solar panels or other solar-powered devices on your property, then you do not have to pay the property tax that year. However, in order to qualify for the incentive program, you must meet the following terms be eligible for incentive:
- Own and live in their home
- Receive electrical service from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), or San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
- Enrolled or eligible for CARE or FERA income-qualified utility bill programs
- The property is in a disadvantaged community (DAC) qualified area.
If you wish to estimate the personal income tax , test California tax calculator.
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