2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Port Hueneme, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Port Hueneme.
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 Port Hueneme?
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 encourage homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Various kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the California government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Port Hueneme utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that is generally considered part of your taxable income. Generally, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system can earn SRECs or other performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are normally handled by your state government.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Port Hueneme solar panel installer to get more information.
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 lasts until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will be decreased slightly each year until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to reach out to your local Port Hueneme solar panel installation expert with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. These incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the California government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Port Hueneme
The nationwide use of solar energy has gone up significantly in the past 15 years, in part due to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the California government, the federal government or your local utility company. Speak with your local solar panel installer today to learn more and to save as much money as possible on solar panels for your Port Hueneme 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 Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Port Hueneme, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property located within the United States that you own, and most secondary residences will fall under this distinction. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the California government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Port Hueneme solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually by switching to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 5,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I use 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. Be sure to discuss your plan with your local Port Hueneme solar installation expert. They can help you with the plan for your project and also help you understand 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.