2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Pleasanton, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Pleasanton.
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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Pleasanton solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Pleasanton?
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/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. Financial incentives like these are in place to encourage more Americans to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. You might qualify for different types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of California and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- 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 solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if you have a solar system that produces more than a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is usually handled at the state level. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is typically considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Pleasanton utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
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
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. One of the incentives many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a given percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC applies 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, labor, equipment and accessories – although it may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Pleasanton solar panel installer to get more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. With the new provisions, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit 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. Your local Pleasanton solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Tax credits, rebates and more may be available at a more local level. These incentives may be given out by your county or municipality, or by the California government. Some incentives may be ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Pleasanton
The large number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from the California government, the federal government or your local utility company. Speaking with your local Pleasanton solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Pleasanton, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Pleasanton solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Generally, 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, might have other requirements.
How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Pleasanton annually?
On average, homeowners in Pleasanton who install solar panels save around $1,749.02 per year, or about $33,231.29 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 a year when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 5,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use a combination of multiple types 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. Make sure you discuss your ideas with your local Pleasanton solar installation expert. They can help you with the plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you might or might not qualify for.
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
Many solar incentives apply to a property located within the United States that you own, and most secondary residences will fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
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.