2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Laguna Niguel, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Laguna Niguel.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Laguna Niguel?
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 increased use of renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Various types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Some incentives may be provided via the California government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that normally counts as part of your taxable income. Typically, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are typically handled by your state government.
- Net Metering: Make sure you talk to your Laguna Niguel utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system may qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be provided by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially partial refunds that are applied after you pay for solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. A federal incentive that most people are likely to be familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost – for panels, accessories, labor and equipment – although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To more fully understand how the ITC will apply to your situation, reach out to your local Laguna Niguel solar panel installer and request more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now qualify for a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects that began after January 1, 2022, and will be finished by the end of 2032. This percentage will then begin to decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Laguna Niguel solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Tax credits, rebates and more might be available at a more local level. The incentives — which might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of California — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Laguna Niguel
Nationwide solar energy use has gone up tremendously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the California government. When you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, calling your local Laguna Niguel solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Laguna Niguel, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Laguna Niguel solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those provided at the level of the California government, may have other requirements.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Laguna Niguel annually?
When you add solar panels to your Laguna Niguel home, you can anticipate savings of approximately $1,449.58 per year, or around $27,541.95 over the next 20 years.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives that reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of your solar panels. Depending on which incentives you are receiving, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money you can.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Be sure to talk through your ideas with your local Laguna Niguel solar installation expert. They can help you plan your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that 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.