2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Austell, GA - Tax Credits & Rebates

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Austell?

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/

The phrase "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage people to use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. Incentives could include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are handled by the state of Georgia or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:

• Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Austell utility company. This agreement may 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: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your house.
• Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after you purchase a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
• Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the government.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.

The ITC is applied to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as labor, equipment and accessories. This credit can be claimed 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. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

Your local Austell solar panel installer can give you more information about the ITC and how it might 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). The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. After this, the credit percentage will be reduced slightly each year until the end of the program in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems with the new act.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Austell solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are not your only option; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the local or state level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. They may be given by your county or municipality, or by the Georgia government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Austell

There are a number of different solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the Georgia government and those given by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. When you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Austell solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.