2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Garden Grove, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Garden Grove.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Garden Grove?
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 propertyThe 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 term "solar incentives" refers broadly to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are handled federally, while others are offered by the California government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Garden Grove utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you calculate the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other similar performance-based incentives are normally handled at the state level. Once your solar system meets a predetermined threshold (usually a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC applies 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, labor, accessories and equipment – although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
To more fully understand how the ITC could apply to you, call your local Garden Grove solar panel installation expert and request more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The expansion to the program 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. Your local Garden Grove solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. These solar incentives — which might 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 Garden Grove
The variety of solar incentives available has helped tremendously increase the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the California government or the federal government. We suggest talking to your local Garden Grove solar installation expert for more information about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting all the money you can for your solar system.
EcoWatch's Garden Grove, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
I already have solar panels installed. Do I qualify for any incentives?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your system – or call a local Garden Grove solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), is slated to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can get?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are several 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.
What if I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Can I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.
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