2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Sahuarita, AZ - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Sahuarita.
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 Sahuarita?
Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption
Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit
Qualifying Wood Stove Deduction
Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption
Trico Electric Cooperative - SunWatts Incentive Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers to a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Various kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Some incentives may be provided via the Arizona government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. Rebates could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Sahuarita utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. They will then deduct this value from your utility bill each month.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. A federal incentive many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, accessories, equipment and labor. This credit can be claimed on a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Sahuarita solar panel installation expert to get more information.
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 new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. Homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032. This new credit will then decrease annually until it expires. The expansion to the program also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Sahuarita solar panel installation experts can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are more than just federal solar incentives; tax credits, rebates and more may be offered at the local or state level. These incentives — which might be handled by the state of Arizona, or by your county or municipality — may be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Sahuarita
Solar incentives can be provided by your local utility company, the federal government or the Arizona government. The large number of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Your local Sahuarita solar panel installation company can provide you with more details about which incentives you can apply for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Sahuarita, AZ Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Arizona government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Sahuarita solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system — or reach out to a local Sahuarita solar installer — to better understand 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. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Sahuarita annually?
Once you add solar panels to your Sahuarita home, you can anticipate savings of about $1,294.63 per year, or about $24,597.92 over the next 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (previously called the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but usually yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
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.