2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Newton, IA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Newton.
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 Newton?
Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption
Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit (Personal)
Local Option - Special Assessment of Wind Energy Devices
Methane Gas Conversion Property Tax Exemption
Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credit
Energy Replacement Generation Tax Exemption
Reduced rate for large hydro
Alliant Energy Interstate Power and Light - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$800 for existing homes, $180-$480 for new homes
Appliance Recycling: up to $50
Central A/C: $150-$600 for existing homes, $90-$360 for new homes
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: Varies
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $300-$350 for existing homes, $180-$210 for new homes
Electric HVAC System Tune-Up: up to $50
Gas Furnace: $180 for existing homes, $80 for new homes
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,320-$1,750 for existing homes, $790-$1,050 for new homes
Learning Thermostat: $100 for existing homes, $60 for new homes
LED Light Bulbs: In-Store Rebates
Online Home Energy Assessment: FREE
Room Air Purifier: up to $30
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: up to $220
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. Various types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the Iowa government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- 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 Newton utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be provided by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the federal government.
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. 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.
To better understand how the ITC might apply to your situation, contact your local Newton solar panel installer and request more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will be decreased slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting 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 Newton solar panel installation expert with your questions.
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 can be offered at a more local level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the Iowa government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Newton
The variety of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from the Iowa government, the federal government or your local utility company. Contact your local solar panel installation company today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Newton home.
EcoWatch's Newton, IA Solar Incentives FAQs
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year when you install solar panels. This adds up to around 9,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now named the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled 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.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can get?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a number of new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of wind and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss your plan with your local Newton solar panel installer, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what incentives you will or won't 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.
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.