2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Barstow, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Barstow.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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Updated February 03, 2024
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Barstow?
Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program
Minimum financing: $5,000
The financing may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the market value of the property, up to the first seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) of the property’s market value, and ten percent (10%) of the remaining value of the Property above seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) minus any PACE assessment on the property The total amount of any annual property taxes and assessments shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the property's fair market value, determined at the time program financing is approved.
California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program
Single Family Residential Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $29.85 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: Funding has been exhausted
Commercial/Multifamily Incentives:
Systems that displace natural gas: $20.19 per estimated therm displaced
Systems that displace electricity or propane: $0.42 per estimated kWh displaced *** Note, funding has been exhausted in this category for SCE and PG&E
Solar Pool heating: $5.00 per estimated therm displaced
LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
Self-Generation Incentive Program
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System
Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts
Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are intended to encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by providing incentives that lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, while others are handled by the state of California or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the government.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the point of sale for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value added by your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Net Metering: Make sure you speak to your Barstow utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to receive credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives are normally handled by your state government. Once your solar system meets the qualification threshold (generally a small amount of energy production), you can receive SRECs that can be sold to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive is generally considered part of your taxable income.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the total cost of solar system installation, although it has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, accessories and labor. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
To best understand how the ITC could apply to you, speak to your local Barstow solar panel installer and ask for more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). With the new provisions, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. The expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, beginning in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, get in touch with your local Barstow solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. The incentives — which may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of California — might be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Barstow
The variety of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the California government. Getting in touch with your local Barstow solar panel installation company is the right first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Barstow, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Barstow solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those given by the state of California, might have additional requirements.
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Speaking with a representative from the company that installed your system, or any local Barstow solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you qualify for.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that can use solar energy, are there benefits I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act introduces several incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.