2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Hailey, ID - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hailey.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Hailey solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

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

Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Residential: $15,000
All others: $100,000

Idaho Falls Power - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Air Source Heat Pump Conversion: Contact IFP
Air Source Heat Pump Conversion with Duct Sealing: contact IFP
Ground Source Heat Pump: $2,700-$3,150
Ductless Heat Pump: $720
Water Heater: $270-$450
Insulation (Attic, Floor, Wall): Varies, see program website for details
Windows: Varies, see program website for details

Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Deduction
40% in the first year; 20% per year for next three years

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

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


The phrase "solar incentives" refers broadly to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage people to use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Different kinds of incentives, like cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the Idaho government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value added by your solar system when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your house.
  • Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. These may be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
  • Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Hailey utility company, the company 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 places you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. One of the incentives that most people are probably familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a specified percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006 for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC originally paid out 30% of all system costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although the covered amount has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Hailey solar panel installer to get more information.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. You can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. The credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until the date of expiration. The expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, beginning in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Hailey solar panel company can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Tax credits, rebates and more might be available at a more local level. Incentives might be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Idaho. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hailey

You can receive solar incentives from the federal government and the Idaho government, as well as from your local utility company. The growing availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. Contact your local solar panel installer today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Hailey home.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Outstanding Local Installer

ES Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Lifetime workmanship warranty
  • Outstanding customer service
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Energy audits only available 12 months after installation

EcoWatch's Hailey, ID Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I know if I qualify for certain solar incentives?

It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Hailey solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those offered by the government of Idaho, might have additional requirements.

What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 300 pounds annually, or roughly 6,000 pounds over 20 years.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now named the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.

If I switch my appliances out for ones that utilize solar energy, are there any benefits that I can claim?

The new Inflation Reduction Act provides several incentives that reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Can I apply for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order in which incentives are applied could vary depending on which incentives you receive but generally yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible for and applying them in the correct order.

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.

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