2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Hawaiian Gardens, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hawaiian Gardens.
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 Hawaiian Gardens?
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 help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. These financial incentives are in place to encourage more Americans to switch to renewable energy. The incentives may include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the California government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that typically becomes part of your taxable income. Generally, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are typically handled by your state government.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, which is applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Hawaiian Gardens utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Solar rebates can be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives may be 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 gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC covers solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. This credit can be claimed on solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
Speaking with your local Hawaiian Gardens solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC may apply to you.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. The percentage will then decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to talk with your local Hawaiian Gardens solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often state solar incentives available in addition to federal ones. Rebates, tax credits and more may be available at a more local level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. Solar incentives might be offered by your county or municipality, or by the California government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hawaiian Gardens
Nationwide solar energy use has significantly increased in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the proliferation of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the California government. Contact your local solar panel installer today to learn more and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Hawaiian Gardens home.
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 Hawaiian Gardens, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your solar system — or call a local Hawaiian Gardens solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were 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 much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Hawaiian Gardens?
Typically, Hawaiian Gardens homeowners who install solar panels save around $1,317.57 per year, or around $25,033.85 over 20 years after they make the switch.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the top solar companies in Hawaiian Gardens.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
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 reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I claim incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but usually yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
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.