Potere Solar makes this process easy — we take care of all the paperwork!

The best way to ensure you are taking advantage of all available solar energy incentives is to contact a Potere Design Consultant at (760) 324-9300 or to schedule a Free Solar Evaluation. As part of the free consultation, Potere will provide you with the complete list of rebates and incentives to which you are entitled.

Federal, State and Utility Rebates
Solar energy systems represent a smart investment opportunity for homeowners and businesses alike, delivering inexpensive power for decades. Federal, state, and local programs offset up to 40% of system through a variety of tax credits and rebates. Rebates and incentives vary from one city to another, and therefore can sometimes be confusing to identify and understand. Filing the appropriate documents to receive rebates can also be complex.

Federal Solar Tax Credit
The Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 includes the best Federal Solar Tax incentives in the history of solar power. Customers can now achieve a payback on their solar investment in as little as six years with a combination of 30% Federal Tax Credits and available state rebates.

Federal Business Solar Energy Incentives
The incentives below may be available for businesses that invest in or purchase qualified solar energy equipment. They also apply to qualified home offices.

• 30% Investment Tax Credit
• 5-year Accelerated Capital Depreciation

California Solar Power Rebates (effective Jan 1, 2007)

This is a rebate based on the wattage output of your system, and the amount that has been previously paid out in rebate from the California Energy Commission (CEC). Rebates decline in graduated amounts, based on total megawatt installed milestones. Funding has been increased and extended with the California Solar Initiative until 2017. There are different programs based on the size of the solar power system, <100 kW and >100 kW.

For the current rebate schedule call one of Design Consultants at (760) 324-9300

California Solar Initiative
The goal of this initiative is to make California the nation’s leader in solar energy. It expands California’s solar rebate program to include customers of large municipal-owned utilities such as SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) and LADWP (Los Angeles District of Water and Power) and makes your initial investment in solar power cost-effective because you will receive credits on your utility bills for the excess electricity that your solar power system produces.

City Rebates
Many cities offer solar energy rebates on a per-watt basis. For example, the city of San Francisco offers solar energy rebates of $2000 to $4000 off per residential installation for systems that meet specific criteria.

California Property Tax Exemption for Solar Systems
Active solar energy systems (including photovoltaic systems) are not subject to property taxes, even though they immediately add value to your home!

Know Your Rights: California Solar Rights Act
On January 1, 2005, the latest amendment to the California Solar Rights Act became effective, prohibiting local governments from creating barriers to solar energy installations or using aesthetic considerations or unreasonable health and safety issues to prevent solar power system installations.
Use the following links to get the complete text of the latest amendments:

1. California Civil Code § 714: Prohibits local governments from creating unreasonable barriers for solar energy installations. Additionally, any reasonable restrictions cannot cost more than $2,000 and cannot reduce the efficiency of the solar energy system.
2. California Health & Safety Code § 17959.1: Prevents cities and counties from denying solar energy system installation permits unless there is substantial recorded evidence that it would have a specific, adverse impact on public health and safety.
3. California Government Code § 65850.5: Cities or counties shall approve solar energy installation applications or require a use permit if they believe there could be a specific, adverse impact upon public health and safety.

Solar Resources

• For a complete and up-to-date list of state and local programs, please go to DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy

• For more information on California rebates and incentives, visit Go Solar California. This Web site details the rebates for the California Solar Initiative and the New Solar Homes Partnership.

If you go solar with Potere Solar, we will manage all of the necessary paperwork with the CEC and your local utility to reserve and claim your rebate. To find out about the rebates and incentives for which you qualify, please contact us at (760) 324-9300 or schedule a Free Solar Evaluation.