2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Pasadena, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Pasadena.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Pasadena?
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/
The phrase "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You might qualify for various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the California government and others from the federal government. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Pasadena utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system might qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that solar panels add when calculating property taxes on your house.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In most cases, solar systems that produce more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity will qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and the like are typically provided by your state government. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and this is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally given before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be credited towards the value of a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006, on a property you own for you to be eligible for the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all system costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although the total amount has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
To better understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, contact your local Pasadena solar panel installer.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Under the new program, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032, may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. The program expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Pasadena solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Like with federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. Incentives might be given by your county or municipality, or by the California government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Pasadena
There are many types of solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those given by the federal government and those given by the California government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. When you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, calling your local Pasadena solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Pasadena, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can apply for?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for several incentives designed to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied might vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
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.