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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

California's solar, wind, and conservation tax credits

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6975428

In 1976, the State of California established a program of tax incentives to encourage installation of solar energy systems. Since that time the Legislature has continued to refine these incentives: ensuring an efficient and complementary tie-in to similar federal incentives; reducing or eliminating credits for technologies which no longer benefit from them; expanding elibibility for other technologies; and extending the time period during which these incentives are offered. In 1981 a similar tax incentive program was established for energy conservation measures. Both tax credit programs have proven to be very popular, since approximately 780,000 taxpayers had filed claims through 1982. In 1983, California's tight fiscal situation sparked a debate on the continuation of these credits. The California Energy Commission evaluated several of the major impacts of both credits, including: state treasury impacts; energy savings; environmental benefits; cost-effectiveness; and growth of solar and wind companies. Although this report is not a complete evaluation of these credits, it does contain innovative analyses which have advanced California's ability to assess these and similar programs. The Commission's Tax Credit Committee emphasizes the need for additional analysis if the reader is seeking a thorough evaluation of California's energy tax credits.

Research Organization:
California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Sacramento (USA)
OSTI ID:
6975428
Report Number(s):
P-103-83-001; ON: TI84901054
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English