Solar Opportunities - California

Solar Offerings and Incentives 

All across California, it is possible to find a qualified contractor to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a limited time offer of discounted purchase prices or may be able to purchase solar power without actually installing the equipment on your property.  These community or shared solar opportunities are listed below.  Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to claim the available state and federal tax incentives (see below).

State and Local Incentives

 Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems

 The state of California allows a property tax exclusion for 100% of the value of a solar energy system installed between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2016. Get more information on eligibility requirements and information on how to claim the exemption.

California Solar Initiative

This program is a solar rebate program for California residents who are the customers of investor owned utilities (Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric).Under this program there are a variety of rebates for various income levels as well as different types of solar energy. To find out which rebate fits you best please click here.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

PACE Financing is available to cities and counties  in California, allowing homeowners to borrow money to make energy improvements to their home. Improvements eligible for this type of financing are determined by local governments. For more information or to find out if your town has this program please visit here.

City of Santa Monica - Building Permit Fee Waiver for Solar Projects

The city of Santa Monica waives the building permit fees for solar energy systems. For more information please click here.

City of San Francisco - Solar Energy Incentive Program

The city of San Francisco has an incentive program for residents and businesses who install solar on their properties. The array must be a minimum of 1 kW in capacity and different levels of incentives are available depending on the characteristics of the property. For example residential systems are eligible for incentives of $2000. Systems installed by a local installer qualify for an extra $750. Residential systems that are installed by applicants with below median income can receive a bonus incentive of up to $7000. More information.

County of San Bernardino - Green Building Incentive

 This incentive is for the residents of San Bernadino County. The incentive can waive up to $5000 in permitting fees for the installation of solar and other renewable energy systems. More information.

San Diego County - Green Building Program

This program will waive the building permit and plan check fee for a solar photovoltaic system, reducing the overall cost of solar installation. For more information please visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/greenbuildings.html and http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA41F&re=0&ee=0.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

 A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local Programs

 Arlington Valley Solar Energy Project I and II

 This project provides power to San Diego Gas & Electric, which sells the power to its customers.

 Eligibility: SDG&E Customers

Find more information here.  

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)

 This program allows cities and counties to purchase or produce energy for their residents and businesses.  To date there are CCAs in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Eligibility: counties and cities within the service areas of  PG&E and Southern California Edison.

Find more information here.  

SolarShares 

This is a program allows households to buy  shares of a utility-built solar array. These shares can meet 20-40% of the customer’s energy needs. The program sometimes becomes fully enrolled, so call to determine availability.

Eligilibility: Customer s of Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Find more information here.