Summit Realty

SAVE: Solar Advantage Value Estimator for Existing Solar Systems

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently developed and released SAVE to evaluate existing solar systems placed on real property.

SAVE has been designed to be used by appraisers, REALTORS®, and others in order to provide a means for evaluating existing solar systems and to determine their expected capacity (i.e. this system, can, on average, generate this much electricity).

SAVE will provide appraisers with a tool that can place an actual dollar value on solar systems, and will help to provide prospective purchasers with information on the average energy savings that can be achieved by the system. The information contained in the tool is derived from information obtained by the CEC through coordinated efforts with utilities, installers of solar systems, property owners, and their respective agents. Properties not included within SAVE can manually input property information and solar system specifications in order to obtain an estimated capacity valuation.

C.A.R. participated as a stakeholder in the development of this tool and provided the CEC with recommendations that assured the tool would effectively meet industry needs.

To learn more about SAVE, including upcoming training webinars, please visit http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/tools/save.php.

Tags: C.A.R, California Energy Commission, SAVE Program, Solar Energy, Solar Energy Retrofit, Solar Panels, Solar Rating and Certification Corporation

Federal Tax Credit for Solar Energy retrofit

The Solar Energy Retrofit industry is poised to have a hallmark year with the addition of new policies, rebates, and tax incentives creating value & benefits for San Diego homeowners and services for the construction & real estate industries. If you own San Diego real estate, there are many opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your property and save money both monthly and in rebates or tax incentives. In addition, these programs will stimulate services for San Diego real estate agents, San Diego real estate lenders, energy auditors and the San Diego construction industry.

If you own San Diego real estate and are looking to upgrade your home with Solar Water Heaters or Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Systems) then you may qualify for a tax credit of 30% of cost with no upper limit. Existing San Diego homes & new construction qualify for this federal tax credit. Both principal residences and second homes qualify. Requirements for this federal tax credit are that at least half of the energy generated by the “qualifying property” must come from the sun. The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a comparable entity endorsed by the government of the state in which the property is installed.

This federal tax credit expires December 31, 2016 and also includes the addition of geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines. This federal tax credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs. The water must be used in the dwelling. Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement. This federal tax credit includes installation costs!

Buying or selling a San Diego home? Contact Travis Breton at 760-470-2752 or visit http://sdhomesource.com

Tags: Energy Retrofit, federal tax credit, Photovoltaic Systems, San Diego homes, San Diego real estate, Solar Energy, Solar Energy Retrofit, Solar Panels, Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, Solar Water Heaters