Solar Incentives and Financing

• Local Incentives -- new incentive programs offered by the City of Mill Valley!
• State Rebates -- state rebates can reduce the costs of solar by 30 - 40%
• Tax Credits
• Financing your PV system -- pay less each month than your current PG&E bill!
• Property Value -- increase your property value but not your property tax!
• Grants
• Calculators and Solar Decision-Making Tools

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Local Incentives

County of Marin Solar Rebate Program
As of September 11, 2009, funding for the County of Marin Solar Rebate Program has been exhausted.

Questions?
Please contact Omar Pena at 415-507-2797 or opena@co.marin.ca.us

City of Mill Valley Solar Rebate Fee Reduction. To encourage the installation of more solar energy systems, the Council adopted a resolution on November 21, 2005 that waives certain building permit fees for solar energy systems that meet certain design guidelines. For additional information, contact Danielle Staude, dstaude@cityofmillvalley.org.

Download additional information on the City of Mill Valley Solar Rebate Fee Reduction.

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Rebates available in California

Beginning January 1, 2007 all solar electric rebates are provided by the California Solar Initiative (CSI). Rebate amounts vary depending on system size, the tax status of the system owner and system design. As more systems come online, the rebate amounts will decrease. For the latest information on the program and to apply, visit www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov

Rebate levels for Marin County as of April 3, 2008:

Small Systems ($ per CEC-AC watt, for systems under 50 kW):

Note: Rebate levels listed above are the maximum dollar per watt available. Actual rebate amount will vary depending on expected system performance. Expected performance will be calculated based on equipment ratings and installation factors such as geographic location, tilt and shading. This incentive structure is called Expected Performance-Based Buydown (EPBB). Your solar contractor will be able to calculate your specific rebate amount as part of the bid process.

Large Systems ($ per kilowatt-hour, for systems over 50 kW):

Note: Incentives for all solar energy systems greater than 50 kW in size will be paid monthly based on the actual energy produced for a period of five years. This incentive is called Performanced Based Incentives (PBI). Smaller systems may also opt-in to this schedule to receive greater incentives for high performance. Starting in 2010, incentives for all systems greater than 30 kW in size will be paid based on actual energy produced.

Application details and documents can be found at the CSI Program Administrator's (PG&E) website.

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For an extensive list of financial incentives and programs throughout the Country, check the
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE):
http://www.dsireusa.org/

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Tax Credits

Federal Investment Tax Credit. 30% federal credit for solar electricity and solar thermal hot water (not pool heating). This tax credit is capped at $2,000 for residential homes.

Also, visit the California Solar Center to find detailed information regarding tax credits, including eligibility requirements, legislative references and tax forms. http://www.californiasolarcenter.org/incentives.html

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Financing Options

The CA Energy Commission's Consumer Energy Center provides a list of companies financing solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. Financing Options for Renewable Energy Systems.

For public entities, the CA Energy Commission offers low interest Energy Efficiency Financing for energy efficiency equipment and/or renewable energy installations.

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Property Value

Property Tax Exemption for Solar Energy Systems. Solar energy systems are not included in property tax appraisals, under California Taxation and Revenue Code Section 73 (legislation may sunset in 2006).

While a solar energy system will not increase a homeowner's property tax, it WILL increase property value. According to the National Appraisal Institute (Appraisal Journal – Oct. 1999), your home’s value increases $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. An article in Realty Times discusses the market for homes with installed renewable energy systems, published March 2002. http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtcpages/20020315_energyhomes.htm

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Grants

The Strategic Environmental Project Pipeline. http://www.steppfoundation.org/main.htm