2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Country Walk, FL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Country Walk.
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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Country Walk solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated October 25, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Country Walk?
Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property
Non-Residential: 80% of the added value
Florida PACE programs
Lakeland Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are intended to encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. Various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the Florida government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are typically given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates can be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your Country Walk 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: These might come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC covers 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, equipment, labor and accessories. You can receive this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 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.
Your local Country Walk solar panel installation expert can provide more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Homeowners are now eligible for a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects that began after January 1, 2022 and will be finished by the end of 2032. The credit percentage will then begin to decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. 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. Your local Country Walk solar panel company can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are not your only option; tax credits, rebates and more may be offered at the state and local level. These solar incentives — which may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Florida — could be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Country Walk
Solar incentives may come from your local utlity company, the Florida government or the federal government. The variety of available incentives has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. Your local Country Walk solar panel installer can help you learn more about which incentives you should apply for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Country Walk, FL Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences will fall under this distinction. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
How can I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Florida government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Country Walk solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar panels – or call a local Country Walk solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may 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%.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you receive but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible for and applying them in the correct order.
Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?
You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Make sure you talk through your plan with your local Country Walk solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you might or might not qualify for.
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.