2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Marina, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Marina.
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 May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Marina?
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" refers to a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You may qualify for various kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of California and others from the federal government. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Marina utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value added by your solar system when calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that is generally considered part of your taxable income. Generally, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are normally handled by your state government.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a specified percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system has to have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property you own for you to be eligible for the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all system costs (panels, labor, equipment and accessories), although the total amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To better understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, speak with your local Marina solar panel installation expert.
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. 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 2032, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the program expires in 2035. The program expansion 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. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, speak with your local Marina solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the California government. Some are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Marina
There are many kinds 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. Solar energy use has increased enormously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. We suggest talking to your local Marina solar installer for more information about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar panels.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Marina, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Marina home?
Generally, homeowners in Marina who install solar panels save about $1,814.45 per year, or about $34,474.51 over 20 years after making the switch.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to Marina's best solar panel companies.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 250 pounds annually, or around 5,000 pounds over 20 years.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to talk through your ideas with your local Marina solar installer. They can help you plan your project and educate you on the various incentives that 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.