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Renewable Energy Opportunities

     

Energy from the sun is abundant on earth and it is becoming increasingly affordable to harness this clean and renewable energy source to generate electricity and heat water for use in our homes and buildings.  Through innovative new financing options, homeowners and businesses can now go solar for $0 down and start saving money immediately.  In addition to lowering electricity bills, going solar offers economic development, environmental and health benefits to the community.  This webpage provides essential resources for residential and commercial property owners that are considering an investment in solar.   

INFORMING YOUR DECISION

Consumer Guide: “Get Your Power From the Sun” offers a high-level overview of key considerations for home and business owners that are interested in going solar.  

Solar PV Decision-Making Guide: This guide provides fundamental information to understand as you decide whether or not to install a solar electric system at your home or business.

FINANCING A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM

Financing Guide: “Homeowners Guide to Financing a Grid-Connected Solar Electric System” is an essential resource that provides an overview of the different options available for financing a solar energy system. 

30% Federal Tax Credit.  30% of qualified expenditures for solar energy system may be claimed as a residential or business tax credit.

California Solar Initiative (CSI).  The CSI offers cash rebates for installing solar power systems installed on homes, businesses, farms, schools, and government and non-profit organizations for customers at one of California's three investor-owned utilities.

EVALUATING YOUR SOLAR POTENTIAL
IMBY: This tool estimates the amount of electricity you can produce with a solar photovoltaic (PV) array at your home or business using an interactive map-based interface. 
PV Value: This tool is intended to help determine the value of a new or existing solar PV system installed on residential and commercial properties.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The San Joaquin Valley SSTI Regional webpage on the Solar Roadmap website has a comprehensive list of financing program information in the valley.
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) provides up-to-date information on the multitude of clean energy incentives across the country.

HERO is now available to you as an affordable way to make energy efficient, water efficient, and renewable energy upgrades to your home. HERO offers low-fixed interest rates and flexible payment terms of up to 20 years, with repayments made through your property taxes. You can use HERO to finance energy efficient projects that can increase your property value, lower your monthly utility bills, make you more comfortable in your home and contribute to making your community more energy independent. HERO is available for a wide array of home energy products including solar panels.

Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, financing allows property owners to fund energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy projects with little or no up-front costs. With PACE, residential and commercial property owners living within a participating district can finance up to 100% of their project and pay it back over time as a voluntary property tax assessment through their existing property tax bill.


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