2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Charleston, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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 Charleston solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 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 Charleston?

Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies

Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Negotiated with procurement administrators

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/


Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. You may be eligible for various kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Illinois and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after you pay for solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives may be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are typically handled by the state government. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is normally considered part of your taxable income.
  • Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Charleston utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. They will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
  • Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you ignore the value of your solar system when calculating the taxes you pay on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption 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. One of the incentives that most people are likely to be familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a given percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, accessories and labor — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Contacting your local Charleston solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC could apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. American homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. This new credit will then decrease annually until its expiration. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Charleston solar panel company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. These incentives might be given out by the Illinois government, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives may be ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Charleston

The nationwide use of solar energy has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the federal government, the Illinois government or your local utility company. Your local Charleston solar panel installer can help you learn more about which incentives you can apply for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.

Best National Provider

SunPower

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  • Most efficient panels on the market
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Blue Raven Solar

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  • Industry-leading in-house financing
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Best Technology

Tesla Energy

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  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's Charleston, IL Solar Incentives FAQs

Can I get any financial incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?

Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences will fall under this distinction. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.

How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Charleston annually?

When you add solar panels to your Charleston home, you can anticipate savings of about $824.31 per year, or about $15,661.82 over the next 20 years.

What are the highest-rated solar panel installation companies near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to Charleston's top solar panel companies.

What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?

You can lower your carbon footprint by 500 pounds of CO2 a year when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to around 13,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.

Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?

You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Make sure you talk through your plan with your local Charleston solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you may or may 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.

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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