Author Archive
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Tax Credits
Tax Credits Federal (IRS) tax credit for eligible solar energy systems. Anyone who has purchased or is contemplating purchase of a solar energy system should consult with an account or the IRS for tax advice. The following information is provided for general information and is not tax advice. For residential solar energy systems the tax credit is 30 percent of the cost of the system. There is no cap on the tax credit for solar electric ...
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About Electricity
In California, meeting demand for electricity must be achieved two ways: enough energy generated to meet the needs of all the utility customers enough electricity generated to meet the needs of all of the utility customers at a given time of day California's total demand for electricity is growing. The chart below comes from a recent forecast by the California Energy Commission: But that only tells part of the story. ...
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Solar Water Heating
USING SOLAR ENERGY FOR RESIDENTIAL WATER HEATING Using energy from the sun to heat water is one of the oldest uses of solar energy. Today, several million homes and businesses use solar water heating systems. These systems are providing consumers a cost-effective and reliable choice for hot water. How you heat the water for your home is an important consideration. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that you will spend over $500.00 a year to heat ...
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Residential Leases and Power Purchase Agreements
Questions for homeowners to ask if considering a Solar Lease or a Solar Power Purchase Agreement In 2008 new financing options for homeowners wanting solar systems were introduced in California. These options were designed to overcome the biggest obstacle to potential solar users: the first cost to acquire the system. For typical residential solar installations the cost is around $40,000 but after tax credits and state rebates it is usually around $25,000 ...
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Local Permits
Permitting In all Cities and Counties in California, the local government requires permits for residential and commercial solar projects (there are more than 550 local jurisdictions). The permit is usually obtained by the licensed contractor doing the work or it can be obtained by the site owner. Fees are based on the reasonable cost of providing the permit and inspection services. A local agency is prohibited from charging building permit and ...
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Property Tax Exemption
California Law provides a property tax exemption for qualified solar energy systems. California Revenue and Taxation Code, section 73. 73. (a) Pursuant to the authority granted to the Legislature pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 2 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, the term "newly constructed," as used in subdivision (a) of Section 2 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, does not include the construction ...
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Solar Sales Registration
The Contractors State License Board requires that all home improvement sales people register as a Home Improvement Sales Person at the Contractors’ State License Board - solar and non solar. For more information, visit the Contractors’ State License Board for more information (www.cslb.ca.gov). A home improvement salesperson is defined in the law as a person who is employed by a licensed contractor to solicit, sell, negotiate, or execute contracts for home ...
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Contractors’ License
In California, the Contractors’ State License Board tests and issues licenses for individuals and businesses to perform construction work. The following is an excerpt from the Contractors’ State License Board website describing when a license is required and some of the risks associated with working with an unlicensed contractor: In California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that is valued at $500 or more for labor and materials ...
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Solar Shade Control
California has had a Solar Shade Control Act Law in Statute that was first enacted in the early 1980s. In 2009 this law was amended to restrict enforcement of the Act only if the neighbor receives a notice that a solar energy system will be installed that they might shade if they plant trees or remodel their building. Criminal enforcement of the Act was also removed in the amendment. The Shade Control Act ...
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Business Practices
Solar works, Scam Artists don’t – from the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CALSEIA) Solar works. Solar products are available for your home or business that will produce electricity, heat water for your household uses, and heat your pool. There is no reason why any reputable company needs to oversell or hype the benefits of solar energy. Many solar companies in California have been selling and installing solar systems for decades. Most companies started up their solar ...
