2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Earlimart, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Earlimart.
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 Earlimart?
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/
Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. You might qualify for several types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of California and others from the federal government. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the point of sale for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): Typically, solar systems that produce more than a specified (normally small) amount of electricity can qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically offered by your state government. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and this is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Earlimart utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the federal government.
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Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, equipment and accessories. You can claim this credit for a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
Your local Earlimart solar panel installer can give you more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.
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 is valid until 2035. American homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The total credit will then decrease annually until the date of expiration. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to speak with your local Earlimart solar panel installers directly.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. Incentives may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of California. Some incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Earlimart
Solar energy use nationwide has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part due to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the California government, the federal government or your local utility company. When you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, calling your local Earlimart solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Earlimart, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I am planning to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives can be claimed on a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.
How can I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Earlimart solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar 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, might have additional requirements.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 250 pounds yearly, or roughly 5,000 pounds over 20 years.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can apply for?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding 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?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and wind power. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Earlimart solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what types of incentives 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.