2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Waycross, GA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Waycross.
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 Waycross?
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage increased use of renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are offered by the state of Georgia or by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. The value of a rebate will usually come off the total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Waycross utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
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 solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and lets you 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. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
To best understand how the ITC may apply to you, call your local Waycross solar panel installer and ask for more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. This new credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until its expiration. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Waycross solar panel installer can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Tax credits, rebates and more can be offered at a more local level. Incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Georgia. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Waycross
Solar incentives may be offered by your local utility company, the Georgia 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. When you're ready to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Waycross solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Waycross, GA Solar Incentives FAQs
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 9,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there credits I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a variety of new financial incentives that are available when you make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details about these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but generally yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure you are claiming all the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
Can I use a combination of multiple types 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 geothermal and solar. 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 Waycross solar installation expert, to make sure you know what you'll need and what incentives you may or may not qualify for.
What if I am planning to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many will apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.
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.