2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Morro Bay, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Morro Bay.
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 September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Morro Bay?
Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System
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 that are in place to encourage people to use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. Various kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be offered by the California government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- 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.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are typically given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Morro Bay utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In most cases, solar systems that produce more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity can qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically provided by your state government. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
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Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the total cost of installing solar panels, although it has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, accessories and labor. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Morro Bay solar panel installation expert to get more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will 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.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to talk with your local Morro Bay solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are more than just federal solar incentives; rebates, tax credits and more may be offered at the state and local level. Incentives might be given by the state of California, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Morro Bay
Nationwide solar energy use has gone up tremendously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the federal government, the California government or your local utility company. Getting in touch with your local Morro Bay solar panel installation company is the best first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Morro Bay, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the California government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Morro Bay solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my Morro Bay home?
On average, homeowners in Morro Bay who install solar panels save around $1,831.12 per year, or around $34,791.25 over 20 years after making the switch.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the top solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on Morro Bay's top solar panel companies.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can get?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for several incentives meant to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but in most cases yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all possible incentives 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.