After a long year of uncertainty, solar advocates are celebrating two recent victories.
Together, these victories provide several years of certainty to homeowners and business owners who are considering purchasing or leasing solar energy systems.
In national news, the 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit was extended through the end of 2019, as part of the tax and spending deal passed just before Congress went on break for the winter holidays.
Homeowners and business owners will continue to be able to claim a Federal Tax Credit for 30% of the cost of a new solar electric system through 2019, before the credit drops to 10% through the year 2022.
In California, solar advocates won another victory with the final adoption of new solar-friendly net metering rules by the Public Utilities Commission. The final vote by the PUC, on January 28, 2016, was 3-2 in favor of the proposal, with the PUC agreeing to reconsider these rules again in 2019.
Under these new rules, known as Net Metering 2.0, solar customers will receive full retail credit for excess electricity they produce and sell to PG&E and other California utility companies. The new rules do include some new fees. Solar customers will pay increased charges for upkeep of the electric grid and to support public purpose programs such as energy efficiency rebates.
For more information visit mendocinosolar.com or call Mendocino Solar Service at 707-937-1701.
