2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Mountain Brook, AL - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Mountain Brook.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Mountain Brook solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Mountain Brook?

Wood-Burning Heating System Deduction

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Deduction

Local Option- Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Faclities

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive

Alabama Power - Residential Heat Pump Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Varies, up to 100% of project cost for qualifying customers

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


The phrase "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making the installation and use of solar panels more affordable. Incentives might include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are offered by the Alabama government or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:

  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
  • Net Metering: Don't forget to talk to your Mountain Brook utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
  • Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are usually given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
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Federal Solar Incentives

When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. An incentive that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies to a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system has to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to claim the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system costs (panels, accessories, equipment and labor), although the total amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Reaching out to your local Mountain Brook solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC applies to your situation.

The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. Homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The total credit will then see a slight annual decrease until it expires. The expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to speak with your local Mountain Brook solar panel installers directly.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. These solar incentives — which may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Alabama — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Mountain Brook

Solar energy use nationwide has significantly increased in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the federal government, the Alabama government or your local utility company. We recommend talking to your local Mountain Brook solar installer for more information about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar panels.

EcoWatch's Mountain Brook, AL Solar Incentives FAQs

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 might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Mountain Brook solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you qualify for.

I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can apply for?

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act introduces multiple incentives meant to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order that incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you receive but usually yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure you are claiming all the incentives you're eligible for and applying them in the correct order.

What if I want to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?

Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.

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.

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