2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Santa Barbara, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Santa Barbara.

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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Santa Barbara solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Santa Barbara?

Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems and Solar Plus Storage System

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of system value; 75% of system value exemption for dual-use equipment

Western Riverside Council of Governments - Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) Financing Program

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Eligible products can be financed for up to 25 years, depending on the useful life of the eligible product.
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

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
Locally determined

Self-Generation Incentive Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
For projects 30 kW or larger, 50% of incentive will be received up-front; 50% will be received based on actual kWh production over the first 5 years. For projects under 30kW, 100% of the incentive will be paid up front.
Incentives will step down over time. See below for incentive amounts.

Renewable Market Adjusting Tariff (ReMAT)

Incentive Type:
Feed-in Tariff

LADWP - Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program

Incentive Type:
Feed-in Tariff
$0.17/kWh adjusted by a time of delivery multiplier
Base price will step down over time as certain MW goals are met

California Solar Initiative - Solar Thermal Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Step 1 Incentive Rates (contact utility to determine current incentive levels):
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

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are handled federally, while others are provided by the California government or your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:

  • 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 Santa Barbara utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if your solar system produces more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are normally 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 generally considered part of your taxable income.
  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
  • Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which would allow you to exclude the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.

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Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum amount you can claim.

To know exactly how much money the ITC could save you, talk to your local Santa Barbara solar panel installer.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). Homeowners can now receive a credit of 30% of the total costs of solar system installation for projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed before the end of 2032. The percentage will then decrease on a yearly basis 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. Your local Santa Barbara solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Incentives may be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of California. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Santa Barbara

There are a number of different solar incentives: those provided by the federal government, those provided by the California government and those provided by local utility companies, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. Call your local solar panel installation expert today to learn more and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Santa Barbara home.

EcoWatch's Santa Barbara, CA Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Santa Barbara solar installer to get an 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.) within a specified date range. 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 annually on my electric bill in Santa Barbara?

On average, homeowners in Santa Barbara who install solar panels save about $1,453.26 per year, or about $27,611.85 over 20 years after they make the switch.

What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?

You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 5,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The Clean Energy Credit (previously referred to as the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.

Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

Yes, you can receive both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming the correct incentives and getting the most money you can.

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.

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