2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Fultondale, AL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Fultondale.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Fultondale?
Local Option- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Faclities
Alabama Power - Residential Heat Pump Loan Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are handled federally, while others are provided by the state of Alabama or by your utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are usually applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates can be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering agreement with your Fultondale utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the government. These differ from tax deductions.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels may qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own and that is located in the United States. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
Your local Fultondale solar panel installation expert can give you more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Now, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032 might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Fultondale solar panel installation experts can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. Similar to federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Your local incentives could come from the Alabama government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Fultondale
The nationwide use of solar energy has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part due to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the Alabama government, the federal government or your local utility company. We suggest talking to your local Fultondale solar installation expert for more information about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting all of the money you can for your solar panels.
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EcoWatch's Fultondale, AL Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many can be claimed on a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Alabama government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Fultondale solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the exact installation date. Speaking with the company that installed your system, or any local Fultondale solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you might want to apply for.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my house in Fultondale?
On average, homeowners in Fultondale who install solar panels save around $1,099.24 per year, or around $20,885.57 over 20 years after making the switch.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that can use solar energy, are there any benefits I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for a number of incentives that reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Solar incentive research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.