2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Citrus Heights, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Citrus Heights.
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.
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Updated September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Citrus Heights?
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
SMUD - PV Residential Retrofit Buy-Down
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to a range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, like cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the state of California, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. If you receive a rebate, that amount will usually come off the total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Citrus Heights utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels may qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): Typically, solar systems that produce more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically given by your state government. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make 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 government.
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Momentum Solar
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Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, accessories, equipment and labor. This credit can be claimed on solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
To understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, contact your local Citrus Heights solar panel installation expert.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, talk to your local Citrus Heights solar installers.
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. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. They might be given by the California government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Citrus Heights
Solar incentives may be provided by your local utility company, the federal government or the California government. The variety of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Your local Citrus Heights solar panel installation company can give you more information about which incentives you should apply for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Citrus Heights, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Citrus Heights?
When you add solar panels to your home in Citrus Heights, you can anticipate savings of approximately $1,481.06 per year, or approximately $28,140.14 over the next 20 years.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the best solar panel installers near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Citrus Heights.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that use solar energy, are there any benefits that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a variety of new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're 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.