2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Chowchilla, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Chowchilla.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Chowchilla solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Chowchilla?
Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System
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.
Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts
Self-Generation Incentive Program
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.
Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT)
LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Incentives could include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are handled by the California government or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- 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 calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Chowchilla utility company, that may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. They will then deduct this value from your monthly utility bill.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives might be available to you if you have a solar system that produces over a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are typically handled by the state government. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the federal government.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. These may 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.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Initially, the credit applied to 30% of the total cost — for panels, accessories, equipment and labor — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To best understand how the ITC could apply to you, get in touch with your local Chowchilla solar panel installer and request more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. You are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until the date of expiration. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, speak with your local Chowchilla solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. The incentives — which may be given by the state of California, or by your county or municipality — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Chowchilla
The variety of available solar incentives has contributed greatly to the increase in the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the California government. Speak with your local solar panel installation expert today to find out more information and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Chowchilla home.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Chowchilla, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the specifics.
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's a good idea to talk to your local Chowchilla solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Typically, 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 offered by the government of California, may have additional requirements.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Chowchilla.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually when you install solar panels. This adds up to around 5,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are claiming, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money you can.
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.