Solar Lighting Incentives in California

A Bright Start for a Bright State

Whether you’re hitting the slopes of Lake Tahoe, cruising the coastline of the Bay area, commuting to downtown Los Angeles, reveling in the beauty of Joshua Tree, stopping at a local farm in the Central Valley, or relaxing on a beach in San Diego, one thing becomes abundantly clear–this state gets a lot of sun! With an average of 300 sunny days per year, no wonder California is called the Golden State. Which is why installing Greenshine New Energy solar lights can immediately—and at almost anytime of the year—start saving on your energy costs. 

California has always been the nation’s leader in spearheading innovation and renewable energy. This means a variety of incentives for saving on costs and purchasing outdoor solar lighting. Federal Investment Tax Credits (ITC) can save you 30% on the cost of installing outdoor solar powered lights. Local utility solar rebates are available to qualified users of commercial solar lighting. Check with your local power company to see what rebates are available to you.

Our Favorite Solar Incentives in California

1. Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems

Section 73 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code allows a property tax exclusion for certain types of solar energy systems installed between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2024. You can get an exemption of 100% of a system’s value or 75% for dual-use equipment.

2. ​PG&E - Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Financing Program

PG&E is providing 0% loans for energy efficiency projects for non-residential customers. This includes solar led lighting systems. Loan funds must be used to purchase and install qualifying energy-efficient equipment. Customers may use a contractor or self-install the equipment. Business customers may qualify for loans between $5,000 and $100,000, with loan periods of up to 5 years. Government agencies may qualify for loans between $5,000 and $4,000,000 per PG&E meter, with loan periods of up to 10 years.

3. PG&E - Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Rebates

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers a variety of incentives to non-residential customers to increase energy efficiency. These include rebates for solar LED lighting. Click the link above to learn more about these rebate programs.

4. SCE - Non-Residential On-Bill Financing Program

The SCE On-Bill Financing (OBF) program offers qualified business customers 0% financing from $5,000 to $100,000 per Service Account (SA) for qualifying projects. All government and institutional customers (i.e. counties, cities, school districts, etc.), as well as multifamily property owners, may receive $5,000 to $250,000 per SA. Government and institutional customers may also bundle SAs.

5. SCE - Non-Residential Energy Efficiency Programs

Southern California Edison (SCE) offers incentives for non-residential customers. Rebates for street lighting are $10-$30/ft for street lighting, other lighting incentives range from: $0.12-$150/kWh. Applicants should complete the necessary forms that can be found on the program website.

6. Savings by Design (Offered by six Utilities)

Savings by Design offers services and incentives to help owners and designers of commercial buildings raise energy performance. Qualified non-residential new construction and renovation projects in the service area of one of the six participating utilities are eligible to participate (Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Pacific Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power). Owners may be eligible for incentives of up to $150,000 and design teams may receive up to $50,000. Another approach evaluates individual efficiency improvements to qualifying systems. Incentives are based on annualized kWh savings, therm savings, and peak demand reduction. Owners are eligible for incentives up to $150,000. For lighting systems, you may receive $.08/kWh - $150/peak KW. Design assistance is available to owners and design teams.

7. Energy Efficiency Financing for Public Sector Projects

Cities, counties, public care institutions, public hospitals, public schools and colleges, and special districts in California can apply for 0%-1% interest loans from the California Energy Commission for energy efficiency projects in their buildings and facilities. The maximum loan amount per application is $3 million. The exact loan term will be determined such that the energy savings will cover the loan payments.

8. Local Option - Municipal Energy Districts

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing effectively allows property owners to borrow money to pay for energy improvements and California has authorized local governments to establish such programs. Participating local governments may authorize the property owner to contract for the improvements or purchase equipment directly.

9. CaliforniaFIRST

The CaliforniaFIRST Program is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program for non-residential properties. PACE programs allow property owners to finance the installation of energy improvements on their buildings and to pay the amount back through their property taxes. The minimum financing amount is $50,000. The maximum financing amount is dependent on the property value. Repayment periods range from 5-20 years, depending on the expected useful life of the financed improvements and the negotiated terms.

10. ​School Facility Program - Modernization Grants

The School Facility Program (SFP) provides funding assistance to school districts for the modernization of school facilities. In addition to the basic grant amount, a district may be eligible for supplemental grants depending on the type and location of the project. In some cases, districts unable to contribute some or all of the local match may be eligible for financial hardship.

So Many Ways To Save

​There are more incentives to keep money in your pocket beyond these. Commercial solar powered lighting saves you time and money by avoiding trenching and wiring which can tear up your streets and bank account.

To see more solar incentives in California,

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