2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Putnam, CT - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Putnam.
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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Putnam?
Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems
Residential Solar Investment Program
Up to 10 kW PTC: $0.358/W
10 to 20 kW PTC: $0.207/W
Incentive is reduced accordingly for Design Factors below 75%. Minimum design factor is 60%.
Third-Party-Owned (PBI):
Up to 20 kW PTC: $0.03/kWh for 6 years
Minimum Design Factor 60%
Connecticut Green Energy Building Solutions
Smart-E loans
Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Energy-Efficient Products
Energy Conservation Loan
Landlord Loan: $40,000
The United Illuminating Company - Small ZREC Tariff
Eversource - Small ZREC Tariff
(Electric and Gas) Residential Rebate Program
Refrigerators/Freezers, Room A/Cs, Dishwashers, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers: Incentive Included in Retail Price
Central A/C: $200
Air Source Heat Pumps: $500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $750
Lighting: Incentive Included in Retail Price
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $500-$1,500
High Efficiency Furnace, Natural Gas Boiler, and Boiler Circulator Pump: Instant Discounts of $25-$800
Local Option - Residential Sustainable Energy 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. You may be eligible for various types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Connecticut government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Putnam utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels may qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- 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 solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. These could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a specified percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. This credit can be claimed on solar panels 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 the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
Your local Putnam solar panel installation expert can offer more information about the ITC and how it might 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. The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; the amount will be decreased slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to reach out to your local Putnam solar panel company with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these may include rebates, tax credits and more. The incentives — which may be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Connecticut — may be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Putnam
The large number of solar incentives available has helped tremendously increase the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the Connecticut government or the federal government. We recommend talking to your local Putnam solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar system.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Putnam, CT Solar Incentives FAQs
If I installed solar panels on my house a few years ago, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the exact installation date. Talking to the company that installed your solar system, or any local Putnam solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you can apply for.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the best solar panel installers near you, read our article on the best solar companies in Putnam.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce the CO2 emissions from your home by 200 pounds a year, or around 4,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I change out my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there any benefits I can claim?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a variety of new financial incentives that are available when you make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Talk with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible 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.