2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Grand Terrace, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Grand Terrace.
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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Grand Terrace?
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 meant to encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by offering financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Different types of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the California government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Grand Terrace utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if the solar system on your home produces more than a specified (typically small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is usually handled at the state level. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar system. These could be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of installing a solar system, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Grand Terrace solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032. After this, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the end of the program in 2035. The program expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Grand Terrace solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives may be handled by the California government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Grand Terrace
There are a variety of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the California government and those given by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown enormously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. Reaching out to your local Grand Terrace solar panel installation expert is the best first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.
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 Grand Terrace, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the California government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Grand Terrace solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project will qualify for.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to Grand Terrace's top solar panel companies.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually by installing solar panels. This adds up to around 5,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I claim incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're getting the most money you can.
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 — for example, a combination of solar and wind power. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a non-renewable backup source of energy. Make sure that you discuss your plan with your local Grand Terrace solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what 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.