2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Dixon, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Dixon.

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 Dixon solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Dixon?

Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment

Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
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

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Locally determined

Self-Generation Incentive Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.

Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT)

Incentive Type:
Feed-in Tariff

LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program

Incentive Type:
Feed-in Tariff
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met

California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
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

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


The term "solar incentives" includes a 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 might include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are provided by the California government or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates may be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
  • Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value of your solar system when calculating the taxes you pay on your home. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Dixon utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that is generally considered part of your taxable income. In most cases, a certain (small) threshold of energy production must be met before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are generally handled by your state government.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system has to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006 for you to claim the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system installation costs (panels, labor, equipment and accessories), although this amount has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Your local Dixon solar panel installation expert can give you more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.

The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. The credit will then decrease annually until the date of expiration. The program expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Dixon solar panel installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others might only be available for a limited time. Incentives may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the California government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Dixon

The large number of available solar incentives has contributed greatly to the increase in the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the last 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the California government, the federal government or your local utility company. Call your local solar panel installation expert today to discover more about the various programs and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Dixon home.

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EcoWatch's Dixon, CA Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I know if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Dixon solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those given by the state of California, may have other requirements.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Dixon home?

Generally, homeowners in Dixon who install solar panels save around $1,725.35 per year, or around $32,781.57 over 20 years after making the switch.

What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 250 pounds annually, or around 5,000 pounds over 20 years.

I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can claim?

With the passage of the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are several new financial incentives for making 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 use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?

You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to talk through your ideas with your local Dixon solar installation expert. They can help you plan your project and also help you understand the various incentives that you may or may not qualify for.

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.

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