2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Evergreen Park, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Evergreen Park.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Evergreen Park?
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/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. You may qualify for various kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, 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. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that is generally considered part of your taxable income. In most cases, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system can earn SRECs or other performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are generally handled by your state government.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your house.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Evergreen Park utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates can be given by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. 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. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Talking to your local Evergreen Park solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032. After this, the percentage will be reduced slightly each year until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Evergreen Park solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Tax credits, rebates and more may be available at a more local level. These incentives might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the Illinois government. Some are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Evergreen Park
Solar energy use nationwide has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part due to the proliferation of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the federal government, the Illinois government or your local utility company. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Evergreen Park solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Evergreen Park, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Evergreen Park annually?
Once you add solar panels to your home in Evergreen Park, you can expect to save approximately $707.72 per year, or approximately $13,446.62 over 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Evergreen Park.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 annually by switching to solar panels. This adds up to around 9,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all the incentives you're eligible for and applying them in the correct order.
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives will apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the details.
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.