2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Cherry Valley, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Cherry Valley.
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 Cherry Valley solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Cherry Valley?
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems
ComEd - Energy Efficiency Program for Residential
Air Purifier: $50
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $50
Electric Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezer: $50
Refrigerator: $50
Room Air Conditioner: $25
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: Free pickup and $50, plus an additional $10 if recycling a room A/C at the same time
Heating & Cooling
Air Source Heat Pump: $400 - $600
Central A/C: $300 - $600
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400
Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $6,000/home
Furnace Blower Motor (ECM): $50 - $100
Miscellaneous
Advanced Power Strip: $10
Air Sealing: Up to $400/home
Attic Insulation: Up to $300/home
Duct Sealing: Up to $500/home
Lighting: In-store discounts, varies
Pool Pump: $275
Smart Thermostat: $100
Wall Insulation: Up to $400/home
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage people to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Various kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be handled by the Illinois government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating the taxes you pay on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally given before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that normally counts as part of your taxable income. Typically, a certain (small) threshold of energy production must be met before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are typically handled by your state government.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Cherry Valley utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the government.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, labor, equipment and accessories — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
To best understand how the ITC might apply to your situation, contact your local Cherry Valley solar panel installation expert 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. Under the new program, solar installation projects begun after January 1, 2022 and finished by December 31, 2032 might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then see a slight annual decrease until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to talk with your local Cherry Valley solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Illinois government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Cherry Valley
Solar incentives may come from the Illinois government, the federal government or your local utility company. The variety of available solar incentives has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Call your local solar panel installation company today to learn more and to save as much money as possible on solar panels for your Cherry Valley home.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Cherry Valley, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Illinois government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Cherry Valley solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can apply for?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act introduces several incentives meant to reward homeowners who make 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 initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm that you are claiming the correct incentives and that you're getting the most money you can.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Make sure you discuss your plan with your local Cherry Valley solar installer. They can help you plan your project and also help you understand the various incentives that 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.