Tag Archives: solar incentives

net metering california

Is solar still worth it under Net Metering 3?

Over the past few months, our primary goal at EnergySage was to support Californians in locking in higher solar savings before the Golden State’s net metering policy changed on April 15, 2023. A foundational solar policy, net metering is when your utility company compensates you for the excess electricity your system generates and sends to the grid. California’s new policy, Net Metering 3 (NEM 3) or the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), dropped the compensation rate by about 75% for new solar owners, compared to its former net metering policy, NEM 2. 

We helped thousands of homeowners find the right solar installer and submit their applications to lock in NEM 2 rates for 20 years under the grandfathering clause, but installers received a historic number of requests, and some Californians didn’t meet the deadline. If you’re in this camp, or if you’re just starting the solar shopping process now, you might be wondering if solar is still worth it in California. Our resounding answer is yes, it’s still worth it, and there are two main steps you can take to get the most out of solar under NEM 3: get a battery and go solar this year.

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Form 5695 instructions

How to claim the solar tax credit (ITC): Form 5695 instructions

If you’re considering solar, you’ve probably heard about the federal solar tax credit, also known as the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). If you have a solar system on your property, you’ve probably heard about the federal solar tax credit, also known as the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC makes solar more affordable for homeowners and businesses by granting a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction equal to 30% of the total cost of a solar energy system. There’s plenty of information out there about the value of the ITC, but figuring out how to actually claim the credit when it comes time to file your taxes is another story. In this article, we’ll walk you through the instructions step by step from figuring out if you’re eligible to completing Form 5695 to adding it to Schedule 3 and Form 1040.

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Solar leases

Solar leasing: what you need to know

If you’re looking to lower your electricity bill without any upfront costs, there’s a good chance you’re considering a solar lease. Under the right circumstances, solar leases can be an attractive option, offering cheaper electricity with very little hassle on your end. However, there are also instances in which a solar lease could cause trouble down the line, so it’s important to do your research before signing any contract. In this article, we’ll cover the basics about solar leases–from what they are to why you may or may not want to enter one. 

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LBNL LMI solar

How can the clean energy industry support low-income households in going solar?

Although there is growing interest in policies and programs to ensure that the benefits of solar power are equitably reaching households of all income levels, lower income households are still less likely to go solar. 

Some of the causes for this are well-documented and unsurprising.  Income is unequally distributed among households, low and moderate income (LMI) households have less cash, are less able to finance installations, are less likely to own their home, and are less aware of the opportunity.

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srecs in massachusetts

SRECs in Massachusetts: prices and program status

The Massachusetts solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) program is one of the most advantageous financial incentives for solar available at the state level. Massachusetts property owners who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars a year by selling the SRECs the system generates.

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DC SREC Program

SRECs in D.C.: prices, projections, and program status

If you’re considering installing solar in Washington D.C., the most important solar incentive to be aware of are solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). D.C. is one of the few governments that offers this performance-based incentive to people generating solar electricity. Even better, the District’s program is the most lucrative one in the country: when you buy and install a solar panel system in D.C., you can earn thousands of dollars each year just from selling the certificates your system generates.

This article describes how the District’s SREC program works, explores current prices for SRECs, and discusses the future of the SREC program so that you can make a well-informed decision about going solar.

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Solar incentives for businesses

Solar incentives for businesses in 2021

It’s not just homeowners that can take advantage of the benefits of solar: commercial and industrial businesses can also participate in the clean energy revolution by installing solar–and storage!–on their properties. In fact, in many cases, the incentives for businesses to invest in solar are even better than they are for homeowners. If you are a business looking to explore your solar options, here are the key incentives to be aware of in 2021.

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commence construction 2020 clause

An overview of the “commence construction” clause

The country’s best solar incentive, the federal investment tax credit (ITC), is in the process of winding down. 2019 was the last year you could claim the full 30 percent tax credit. Starting in 2020, the credit dropped to 26 percent, and will drop to 22 percent in 2023 and disappear entirely for homeowners in 2024. This impending deadline has prospective solar shoppers rushing to take advantage of the maximum credit while they still can – but how can you make sure you’re eligible for the current 26 percent credit? 

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pennsylvania srecs

SRECs in Pennsylvania: prices, projections, and program status

If you’re considering installing a solar panel system in Pennsylvania, one incentive to be aware of is solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). Pennsylvania is one of the few states that offers this performance-based incentive to property owners generating solar electricity. Pennsylvanians who buy and install a solar panel system can earn hundreds of dollars each year by selling SRECs.

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