Homeowners need to know solar regulations

Installing a solar energy system could be a wise decision for several reasons. Rebates will not last forever, however, so those interested in solar are encouraged to make their decision as soon as possible.

The sun shines brightly in California

It’s a typical sight in sunny California: for the past eight hours the house is basked in the sunshine, its photovoltaic panels converting the light into electricity. With an average of over 3200 hours of sunshine a year, there aren’t many places in the United States with brighter weather than Santa Clarita.

To convert this abundant natural capital into clean energy and diminutive utility bills, many Santa Clarita residents have chosen to invest in solar energy systems for their homes.
The City of Santa Clarita issued between 1,000 and 1,500 solar permits for individual households over the last year, according to City Building and Safety Official John Caprarelli.
This is a dramatic increase over past years.
“From 2012 to 2013 is when we saw a real sharp increase in solar energy systems,” he said.  “We went from issuing a dozen permits a year, to issuing over 1,000 a year.”
Solar’s increasing popularity has not come without challenges. While the California Energy Commission voted in May that all new housing developments must come with built-in solar systems by 2020, those who own existing homes must consider issues of cost and permits in order to purchase the systems.

Cost of a typical solar energy system

The average cost of a 4-kilowatt residential system, typical for single-family homes, is roughly $34,000, according to industry experts. Several state and federal incentives, however, exist to help offset the high cost of solar system installation.

The California Solar Initiative offers cash rebates of up to $10,000 to customers of Southern California Edison. The payoffs from these programs, however, may not be available in the future.
Several federal subsidies exist as well. Legislators have expanded the Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, to cover solar installations until at least 2021, at which time the program may be renewed.
The ITC is equal to up to 30 percent of the cost of the overall system, with no upper limit.   

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system! 

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.