2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Lake Villa, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Lake Villa.
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 Lake Villa solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Lake Villa?
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 make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. You might qualify for various types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Illinois government and others from the federal government. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value added by your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Lake Villa 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 credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are usually handled by the state government. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is generally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits differ from tax deductions.
- Rebates: A 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 tax credits are calculated.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a specific percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC applies to solar systems 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, labor and accessories — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To find out exactly how much the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Lake Villa solar panel installation expert.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit re-raises the credit up to 30% for solar installations undertaken between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. After 2032, the percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the end of the program in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Lake Villa solar panel installer can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these could include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Illinois government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Lake Villa
The expanding number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the Illinois government, the federal government or your local utility company. Speak with your local solar panel installation expert today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Lake Villa home.
EcoWatch's Lake Villa, 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 are intended to apply to a property located within the United States that you own; most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.
How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Lake Villa annually?
Once you add solar panels to your house in Lake Villa, you can anticipate savings of approximately $715.19 per year, or approximately $13,588.54 over the next 20 years.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the top solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on the best solar companies in Lake Villa.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds annually, or roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can get?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
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.