2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Blackhawk, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Blackhawk.
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.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Blackhawk?
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
MidAmerican Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Central Air Conditioners: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit A/C: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Furnace Fan: $50
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $200 - $2,400, depending on EER and COP
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300
Natural Gas Furnace: $300/unit
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Room Air Conditioners: $35
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are designed to encourage more people to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. The incentives could include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the state of Illinois and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that typically becomes part of your taxable income. Generally, a certain (small) threshold of energy production must be met before your solar system can earn SRECs or other performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are typically handled by your state government.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Blackhawk utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
Reaching out to your local Blackhawk solar panel installer is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, talk to your local Blackhawk solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Similar to federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Your local solar incentives could come from the Illinois government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Blackhawk
The expanding number of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from the federal government, the Illinois government or from your local utility company. Call your local solar panel installation company today to learn more and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Blackhawk home.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Blackhawk, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Blackhawk solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those provided by the Illinois government, might have additional requirements.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 450 pounds yearly, or roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides several incentives meant to 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 claim 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 are eligible for but usually yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure 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.