2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Fountain Hills, AZ - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Fountain Hills.
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 September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Fountain Hills?
Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit
Qualifying Wood Stove Deduction
Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption
SRP - Solar Water Heating Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives implemented by the government and by solar companies to encourage increased use of renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are offered by the state of Arizona or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar panels. States or counties will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. The value of a rebate will usually be deducted from the total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Fountain Hills utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you calculate the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC applies to the total cost of solar system 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. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
To find out exactly how much money the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Fountain Hills solar panel installer.
In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current program. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Fountain Hills solar panel company can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more can be claimed at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. These incentives may be offered by the Arizona government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Fountain Hills
You can apply for solar incentives from the Arizona government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. This increase in availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. Reaching out to your local Fountain Hills solar panel installation expert is an excellent first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Fountain Hills, AZ Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your system — or call a local Fountain Hills solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Fountain Hills home?
On average, homeowners in Fountain Hills who install solar panels save approximately $1,269.59 per year, or approximately $24,122.21 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 500 pounds of CO2 annually when you install solar panels. This adds up to roughly 11,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
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.