2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Columbus, GA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Columbus.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Columbus?
Biomass Sales and Use Tax Exemption
Georgia Power - Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Program
Central AC Replacement: $50
Air/Duct Sealing: $300
Attic Insulation: $250
Heat Recovery Water Heater with Heat Pump: $250
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Solar Water Heater: $250
Home Energy Assessment: $150
Smart Thermostat: $75
Heat Pump conversion: $250
Multifamily
Central AC Replacement: $25
Air/Duct Sealing: $150
Attic Insulation: $125
Heat Recovery Water Heater with Heat Pump: $250
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Solar Water Heater: $250
Home Energy Assessment: $75
Smart Thermostat: $38
Heat Pump conversion: $125
Central Georgia EMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Home Plus Loan Program
Diverse Power - Energy Efficient New Construction Rebate Programs
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $100/system
Geothermal Heat Pump: $350/ton
Waste Heat Recovery: $300/house
Electric Water Heater: $100/unit
Diverse Power - Energy Efficient Existing Homes Rebate Program
Electric to Electric Heat Pump Change Out: $100 - $200/system
Gas to Electric Heat Pump Change Out: $300 - $400/system
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $250 - $300/system
Geothermal Heat Pump: $250/ton
Water Heaters
Electric to Electric Water Heater Change Out: $75 - $150/ system
Gas to Electric Water Heater Change Out: $300 - $500/system
Waste Heat Recovery Unit: $250/house
Thermostats
Programmable Thermostats: $25
Insulation
Insulation: $300 - $500/house
Duct Sealing
Reduce Leakage greater than or equal to 20%: $600
Reduce Leakage greater than or equal to 25%: $800
Reduce Leakage greater than or equal to 30%: $1,000
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" covers a wide range of financial incentives put in place to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. The incentives can include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the state of Georgia and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are typically given before any solar tax credits are calculated. Solar rebates can be given by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Columbus utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably 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 equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost – for panels, labor, equipment and accessories – although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Contact your local Columbus solar panel installer to get more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032. After this, the credit percentage will be reduced slightly each year until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
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 speak with your local Columbus solar panel installers directly.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Rebates, tax credits and more might be available at a more local level. Incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Georgia. Some incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Columbus
Solar incentives might be offered by your local utility company, the federal government or the Georgia government. The variety of solar incentives available has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Columbus solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Columbus, GA Solar Incentives FAQs
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system – or call a local Columbus solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To learn about the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on Columbus' top solar panel companies.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds a year, or around 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that use solar energy, are there incentives I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives that reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can use multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and geothermal. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss the details of your plan with your local Columbus solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what incentives 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.