How a Solar Rebate Works in California: Solar Energy Savings Tips

Written by

Rachel Olson

Published on

July 22, 2022

Read Time

5.2 min

How a Solar Rebate Works in California: Solar Energy Savings Tips

Considering going solar in California? Now is the time to get a solar rebate!

Installing solar panels on your California home is easy and affordable! Plus, the federal solar tax credit and California solar tax credit offer additional financial incentives for jumping on the solar panel bandwagon.

California Solar Incentives

Both the federal and state government offers incentives for installing solar energy systems. If you need additional reasons to invest in renewable energy, here they are.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit was part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It currently allows homeowners to deduct up to 26% of the cost of their solar power system installation from their federal taxes.

Here’s how it works. If your solar installation costs $20,000, you could be eligible to receive up to $5,200 back in federal tax credits. Are you excited by these tax savings? You should be! However, don’t dawdle. While there’s a chance that the federal government extends this program, it is scheduled to be reduced to 22 percent in 2023.

California Solar Tax Incentives

Unfortunately, there are currently no California solar tax credits for installing a solar panel system on your home. However, other solar incentives are available at the state and local levels.

Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)

California’s SGIP offers rebates to residents using a solar energy storage system. The excess energy generated reduces the dependence on the local power grid. If your area is prone to power outages, having a battery storage system may make you eligible for this incentive program. In fact, low income households that qualify for the Equity Resiliency Incentive Program may receive a rebate for the entire cost of a solar battery system.

Active Solar Energy Tax Exemption Exclusion

While there’s no state-level tax incentive program for solar customers, you can at least be assured that your property taxes won’t increase by adding solar installations to your home. You can thank the Active Solar Energy Tax Exclusion incentives for this.

Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing Program

Qualified low-income homeowners who are customers of Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric may be eligible for this special program. However, currently, it looks as if the program is closed to new applicants. Check back periodically to see if this program designed to increase solar usage in disadvantaged communities will be opened to new applicants again.

Net energy metering incentive

Net metering allows customers to feed any surplus power generated by their solar panels back to the power grid. In exchange, customers receive credits from their utility companies that can be applied to future energy bills. The credit values vary based on your utility company, and some cities offer their own programs.

Check With Quality First Home Improvement for Additional Incentives and Rebates

You have put it off long enough. It’s time to install solar panels on your home, and Quality First Home Improvement is here to help. Quality First has years of solar panel installation experience. In addition, we are highly knowledgeable about any available solar rebates available to California residents.

Are you ready to lower your electricity bills? Contact Quality First Home Improvement today!

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