2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Lakeside, FL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Lakeside.
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.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Lakeside?
Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy Property
Non-Residential: 80% of the added value
Florida PACE programs
JEA - Solar Incentive Program
Lakeland Electric - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc - Energy Smart Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Spray Foam Insulation: $0.28 per square foot
Window Film: $0.44 per square foot
Solar Shade Screen: $0.44 per square foot
Solar Water Heating: $0.01 per BTU
Heat Pump Water Heater: $175
Heat Recovery Unit: $200
HVAC: $250
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc - Energy Conservation Loans
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc - Solar Thermal Loans
Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc - Energy Smart Solar Water Heater Rebate Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to encourage homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. You may be eligible for several kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Florida government and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Lakeside 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 might make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system might 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 value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your home.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are usually applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the government.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific 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, labor, accessories and equipment. You can claim this credit for a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. 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 claim amount.
To best understand how the ITC may apply to you, call your local Lakeside solar panel installation expert and request more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The program expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, beginning in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to reach out to your local Lakeside solar panel installers with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these could include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local solar incentives could come from the Florida government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Lakeside
The large number of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the Florida government or the federal government. Speak with your local solar panel installation company today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on a solar system for your Lakeside home.
EcoWatch's Lakeside, FL Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Lakeside solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, like those offered by the government of Florida, might have additional requirements.
I already have solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any 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 installed your system between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the exact installation date. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Lakeside solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you can apply for.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
If I change out my appliances for ones that can use solar energy, are there any credits I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides several incentives designed to reward homeowners who make 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.
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.