This bill, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the massive piece of legislature pushed by current president Donald Trump. Part of the provisions in the bill accelerates the phase out of federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) for solar. Now, projects placed in service after Dec 31, 2027 are no longer eligible for these tax credits unless construction begins within 12 months of the bill's enactment (July 4, 2026). The residential solar tax credit, which allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the solar system's cost from their taxes, will be removed after Dec 31, 2025- the end of this year. Read More Here.
This state law passed in 2020 requires that all new residential buildings, including single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and low rise multifamily buildings up to 3 stories to be equipped with rooftop solar systems. This is part of California's commitment to diversifying the state's energy portfolio and achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045. This will likely increase mortgage costs initially, but lifetime savings per month on electricity bills from solar far surpasses the upfront costs. The mandate also provides tax exemptions on property value increases from the solar system, thus providing great value for homeowners who are selling their property. Read More Here.
The Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is a California program that provides financial incentives for the installation of energy storage systems, including batteries, in homes and businesses. The program aims to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the adoption of energy storage technologies. Read More Here.
This is a California state initiative designed to help income-qualified homeowners in the state's most disadvantaged communities access rooftop solar at no cost (top 25%). The program is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission and administered by the nonprofit GRID Alternatives. The program provides $8.5-10 million annually in incentives until 2030, covering upfront costs of solar installation for eligible households served by PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E. Parts of Monterey County are eligible. Read More Here.
Net Energy Metering (NEM) is a system in California that allows solar customers to receive bill credits for the excess electricity their solar panels generate and send back to the grid, offsetting their energy costs. As of April 2023, new customers of the major investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) are enrolled in NEM 3.0, also known as the Net Billing Tariff. Under NEM 3.0, exported excess solar energy back to the grid is now compensated at a much lower avoided cost rate rather than the retail rate, making it less beneficial than previous NEM versions. However, even at current rates, the Net Energy Metering system allows for customers to save on their electricity bills, especially when paired with a battery system to maximize solar energy usage and minimize grid reliance during peak hours. Read More Here.