Solar Tax Exemptions Exist, Find out How to Save on  Sales Tax and Property Tax (2024)

Solar Tax Exemptions Exist, Find out How to Save on Sales Tax and Property Tax (2024)

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:

  • Can you claim solar on your taxes?
  • How do you get the 30% credit?
  • How much can you write off when buying solar?
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There are financial incentives available that make it easier for homeowners to invest in solar energy systems.Including a number of solar tax exemptions at the state and local levels. These solar tax exemptions can vary by location and may include relief from sales taxes, property taxes and more.

Tax Exemptions exist on a

  1. City/ County level (sales tax)
  2. State level (property tax)
  3. Federal level (incentives)

In this article, we’ll discuss which tax exemptions are available to homeowners who invest in renewable energy systems in each state, as well as the federal solar tax credit (ITC).

To see what exemptions are available in your area, get a free, no-obligation quote from one of our trusted EcoWatch solar installers below.

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Solar Sales Tax Exemptions

Solar sales tax exemptions are a common financial incentive designated by state governments. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there are currently 25 states that offer a solar sales tax exemption. What does this mean, exactly? Most states levy a tax on consumer purchases, which can range from 2.9% to 9.5%.

With a solar sales tax exemption, these taxes are waived on purchases of solar panels, solar batteries and other forms of solar equipment. Naturally, this can reduce the total purchasing cost considerably, making a solar investment a bit more affordable.

For example, if your state has a sales tax of 6% and you purchase a solar panel system for $16,000, you’ll end up paying $16,960 in total. If your state has a solar sales tax exemption, however, you’ll only pay $16,000.

Solar Property Tax Exemptions

The Solar Energy Industries Association notes that 36 states currently offer a property tax exemption for homeowners who install residential solar systems.

Here’s what this means: A solar panel installation typically results in a significant increase in your property values. (On average, homeowners see a solar-related property value increase of about 4.1%.) In states that have renewable energy property tax exemptions, homeowners whose property values rise are protected from a comparable increase in property taxes.

In other words, the worth of the home goes up, but homeowners do not have to pay anything more come tax time.

To see what exemptions are available in your area, get a free, no-obligation quote from a solar installer near you.

Solar Tax Exemptions: State By State Breakdown

Different states have different laws when it comes to sales and property tax exemptions for solar installations. To learn about the tax incentives available in your area, check the table below:

State Solar Property Tax Exemption* Solar Sales Tax Exemption*
Alabama No exemption No exemption
Alaska Local exemptions No sales tax
Arizona 100% exempt 100% exempt
Arkansas No exemption No exemption
California 100% exempt until 1/2/2025 No exemption
Colorado 100% exempt 100% exempt
Connecticut 100% exempt 100% exempt
Delaware No exemption No state sales tax
Florida 100% exempt 100% exempt
Georgia No exemption No exemption
Hawaii 100% NHL only No exemption
Idaho No exemption No exemption
Illinois Special assessment No exemption
Indiana 100% exempt No exemption
Iowa 100% exempt for 5 years 100% exempt
Kansas 100% exempt No exemption
Kentucky No exemption No exemption
Louisiana 100% exempt No exemption
Maine No exemption No exemption
Maryland 100% exempt 100% exempt
Massachusetts 100% exempt for 20 years 100% exempt
Michigan 100% exempt No exemption
Minnesota 100% exempt 100% exempt
Mississippi No exemption No exemption
Missouri 100% exempt No exemption
Montana 100% exempt for 10 years No state sales tax
Nebraska Exemptions only for systems over 100 kW No exemption
Nevada Exemptions only for certain systems over 10 MW No exemption
New Hampshire Local exemptions No state sales tax
New Jersey 100% exempt 100% exempt
New Mexico 100% exempt 100% exempt
New York 100% exempt for 5 years 100% exempt
North Carolina 80% exempt No exemption
North Dakota 100% exempt for 5 years No exemption
Ohio Exemptions in Cincinnati and Cleveland 100% exempt
Oklahoma No exemption No exemption
Oregon 100% exempt No state sales tax
Pennsylvania No exemption No exemption
Rhode Island 100% exempt 100% exempt
South Carolina No exemption No exemption
South Dakota Exemption of either $50,000 or 70% of total property value No exemption
Tennessee Tax value no more than 12.5% of installed cost 100% exempt
Texas 100% exempt No exemption
Utah No exemption Exemptions only for systems over 2 MW
Vermont 100% exempt 100% exempt
Virginia Local exemptions No exemption
Washington No exemption Exemptions only for systems up to 10 kW
Washington DC 100% exempt No exemption
West Virginia No exemption No exemption
Wisconsin 100% exempt 100% exempt
Wyoming No exemption No exemption

*Accurate as of time of publication.

Federal Solar Tax Incentives

In addition to these state-specific incentives, there is also a federal tax incentive that is available to all Americans who invest in solar power. The solar investment tax credit (ITC) is currently valued at 30% of the total solar installation cost, meaning homeowners can essentially deduce 30% of that up-front cost. This tax credit covers:

  • The cost of solar panels
  • Labor costs for installation
  • Additional solar equipment, like inverters, wiring, etc.
  • Energy storage devices, including solar batteries
  • Sales taxes paid for eligible solar installation expenses (in states that do not have sales tax exemptions)

Note that the federal tax credit is available for all homeowners who purchase a system, whether they buy it outright or finance it with a solar loan, but it is not available to those who lease solar panels.

To see what exemptions are available in your area, get a free, no-obligation quote from a solar installer near you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Solar Tax Exemptions

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Article author
Writer and editor with more than a decade’s experience in journalism. Josh worked for Christianity Today for seven years, and has contributed to special assignments for Apple Music and iTunes. Josh lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife, Kati, and two sons, Henry and Dylan.While he mainly focuses on musical journalism he is excited to save the earth on article at a time through sustainability best practices articles as well.
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Expert reviewer
Karsten is an editor and energy specialist focused on environmental, social and cultural development. His work has been shared by sources including NPR, the World Economic Forum, Marketwatch and the SEIA, and he is certified in ESG with the CFA Institute. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the solar energy sector, studying energy policy, climate tech and environmental education. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.

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