2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Rancho Cucamonga.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Rancho Cucamonga?
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/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. These incentives may include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the California government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Rancho Cucamonga utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is generally handled by the state government. You can sell your SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of your solar system when calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be provided by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
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 probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own and that 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.
To better understand how the ITC could apply to you, get in touch with your local Rancho Cucamonga solar panel installer and ask for more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022, and will be done by December 31, 2032. This new credit will then decrease annually until it expires. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Rancho Cucamonga solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Tax credits, rebates and more can be offered at a more local level. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. They may be given by your county or municipality, or by the California government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Rancho Cucamonga
Solar incentives can come from the federal government, the California government or your local utility company. The large number of incentives available has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Reach out to your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Rancho Cucamonga home.
EcoWatch's Rancho Cucamonga, CA Solar Incentives FAQs
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to Rancho Cucamonga's top solar panel companies.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 250 pounds annually, or around 5,000 pounds over 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled to end on 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 change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can get?
The new Inflation Reduction Act introduces multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
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.