2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Hacienda Heights, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hacienda 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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Hacienda 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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage the use of renewable energy by making the installation and use of solar panels more affordable. Different types of incentives, including discounts, cash back 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 broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In most cases, solar systems that produce over a specific (usually small) amount of electricity will qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and the like are typically offered by your state government. When you receive an SREC, you can sell it to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- 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 Hacienda Heights utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be provided by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most well-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 applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, accessories and labor — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Contact your local Hacienda Heights solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032, homeowners can receive a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Hacienda Heights solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these may include rebates, tax credits and more. These incentives might be distributed by the California government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hacienda Heights
There are a variety of solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those provided by the federal government and those provided by the California government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. We recommend talking to your local Hacienda Heights solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting all of the money you can for your solar system.
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 Hacienda Heights, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the California government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Hacienda Heights solar installer to find out what incentives your project will qualify for.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my house in Hacienda Heights?
When you add solar panels to your home in Hacienda Heights, you can expect to save about $1,317.57 per year, or about $25,033.85 over 20 years.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the best solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on the best solar companies in Hacienda Heights.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 5,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use a combination of 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 use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. Make sure that you discuss the details of your plan with your local Hacienda Heights solar installation expert, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what incentives you might or might 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.