2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Tavares, FL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Tavares.
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 Tavares?
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/
The phrase "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives designed to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. You may qualify for several types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain 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:
- Tax Exemptions: These could 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 home. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Tavares 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 monthly utility bill.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically given before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates might be given by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income 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
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. You might have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC applies to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, labor and equipment. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
Reaching out to your local Tavares solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC could apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it 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 ends in 2035. The expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, reach out to your local Tavares solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives — which may be handled by the state of Florida, or by your county or municipality — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Tavares
The variety of available solar incentives has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Florida government. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Tavares solar panel installation expert is a great first step.
EcoWatch's Tavares, FL Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Do I qualify for any incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Talking to the company that installed your system, or any local Tavares solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you can apply for.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Tavares annually?
Generally, Tavares homeowners who install solar panels save around $1,196.97 per year, or approximately $23,939.33 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 50 pounds a year, or around 1,000 pounds over 20 years.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Be sure to talk through your ideas with your local Tavares solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you will or won't qualify for.
What if I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Can I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
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.