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Key commercial solar incentives to take advantage of in California
PowerFlex's team of policy and incentives experts have identified these high-priority programs that maximize savings for customers.
Key incentive stats at a glance
$66 Million+
Incentives Secured for Customers
125+
Customer Projects Leveraging Incentives
CA
Solar Incentives Breakdown by Use Case
Manufacturing
Common Use Cases / Applications
Price Volatility
Hedge against rising tariffs by generating on-site solar; lock in predictable energy costs for 25+ years.
Load Shaping
Offset daytime process loads and pair with controls to minimize peak demand.
Resilience
Enable critical-load support when combined with storage and smart controls.
Phased Expansion
Design rooftops/carports for future capacity and storage integration.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC with potential bonus adders (energy community, low‑income allocations, domestic content where applicable).
Accelerated Depreciation
MACRS/bonus depreciation to improve after‑tax returns.
Utility/Local Programs
Targeted rebates or performance payments where available; interconnection fee reductions in some territories.
Tariff Optimization
TOU alignment and demand charge mitigation when paired with storage.
Healthcare
Common Use Cases / Applications
Cost Stability
Reduce operating expenses across campuses with predictable solar generation.
Reliability for Critical Facilities
Support critical circuits and maintain operations when paired with storage.
Campus Footprint
Utilize carport structures to add shaded parking and visible sustainability wins.
Sustainability Compliance
Advance decarbonization and reporting goals.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC eligibility; potential bonus adders based on project siting and labor criteria.
Direct Pay Considerations
Evaluate financial structures that can monetize credits for tax‑exempt entities.
Utility/Local Programs
Targeted incentives for public‑access or institutional sites where offered.
Accelerated Savings
Demand charge relief via solar + storage and TOU alignment.
Commercial Real Estate
Common Use Cases / Applications
NOI Growth
Lower common‑area energy costs and create new revenue via tenant cost recovery.
Portfolio Standardization
Replicable rooftop and carport designs across assets.
Tenant Value
Marketable sustainability upgrades and green lease alignment.
Space Utilization
Carports add capacity where rooftops are constrained.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC with potential bonus adders; evaluate multi‑asset rollouts.
Accelerated Depreciation
MACRS to enhance project IRR.
Utility/Local Programs
Property‑type or location‑specific rebates; interconnection/tariff strategy by utility.
Tenant Billing Structures
VNEM/NBT‑style arrangements or bill crediting mechanisms where applicable.
Distribution
Common Use Cases / Applications
High Daytime Loads
Offset warehouse HVAC, lighting, and equipment energy with rooftop solar.
Large Roof Assets
Monetize extensive roof areas; reinforce as needed for higher capacity.
Yard and Dock Operations
Pair with storage to shave peaks from refrigeration and dock equipment.
Fleet Readiness
Plan solar + storage to support future yard/last‑mile electrification.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC and applicable bonus adders.
Accelerated Depreciation
MACRS to reduce payback periods.
Utility/Local Programs
Targeted warehouse/industrial incentives where available.
Interconnection & Tariffs
Strategic sizing for TOU and demand optimization; consider export rules under NEM 3.0.
Transportation
Common Use Cases / Applications
Depot Energy Cost Control
Offset facility and yard energy; prep for future charging with solar‑coupled designs.
Demand Management
Combine solar with storage to manage peaks from operations.
Resiliency
Maintain key site functions during outages with solar + storage.
Visible Sustainability
Carports for covered parking and public‑facing sustainability branding.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC with potential adders based on location and labor compliance.
Accelerated Depreciation
MACRS to enhance economics for logistics operators.
Utility/Local Programs
Industrial/commercial incentives and interconnection support where available.
Tariff Strategies
TOU optimization and demand charge mitigation, especially with storage.
Education
Common Use Cases / Applications
Campus Energy Savings
Reduce operating budgets across buildings and parking facilities.
Shade and Comfort
Solar carports provide covered parking and student amenities.
Resilience for Critical Loads
Maintain essential services with solar + storage during outages.
Learning and Engagement
Use on‑site systems as living labs for STEM and sustainability.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC eligibility; assess pathways to monetize credits for tax‑exempt institutions.
Grants and Local Programs
Education‑focused or public‑sector incentives where available.
Utility Programs
School‑specific rebates or performance incentives; interconnection support.
Tariff Optimization
Align generation with TOU schedules; pair with storage to flatten demand.
Hospitality
Common Use Cases / Applications
Operating Cost Reduction
Offset 24/7 loads from HVAC, laundry, and kitchens with on‑site solar.
Guest Experience
Solar carports for shaded parking and visible sustainability leadership.
Event and Peak Management
Pair with storage to handle demand spikes from conferences and occupancy swings.
Brand Differentiation
Support sustainability certifications and corporate goals.
Incentives Leveraged
Federal Tax Credits
ITC/PTC with potential bonus adders where applicable.
Accelerated Depreciation
MACRS to improve project ROI across properties.
Utility/Local Programs
Tourism or municipal incentives in certain locales; interconnection/tariff planning.
Tariff and Demand Strategy
TOU alignment and demand charge relief with solar + storage.
Key State Organizations
Understand the major players who create and influence climate action policies in California.
Relevant Organizations:
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
California Energy Commission (CEC)
California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)
Investor-Owned Utilities:
Bear Valley Electric Service (BVES)
P.O. Box 1547
42020 Garstin Road
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(909) 866-4678 (tel)
Liberty Utilities (a.k.a. CalPeco for California Pacific Electric Co.)
933 Eloise Ave
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
800.782.2506 (tel)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
77 Beale Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 973-7000 (tel)
Publicly Owned Utilities:
Alameda Municipal Power
P.O. Box H
2000 Grand Street
Alameda, CA 94501-0263
510.748.3905 (tel)
Anaheim, City of Public Utilities Department
Anaheim City Hall West
201 South Anaheim Blvd., Suite 802
Anaheim, CA 92805
714.765.5156 (tel)
Azusa Light and Water
P.O. Box 9500
729 North Azusa Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702
Common Questions about Solar Incentives in California
Does location matter when looking for potential incentives?
What’s the difference between “Rebate Type” options?
What does “Max Rebate” mean?
What are the differences in rebate amounts between programs?
Can you stack incentives for a given project?
What’s the difference between application types and windows?