2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Macomb City, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Macomb City.
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 Macomb City?
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by offering incentives that lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are handled federally, while others are handled by the Illinois government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, 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 credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that normally counts as part of your taxable income. Generally, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or other performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are normally handled at the state level.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Macomb City utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, labor 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.
To better understand how the ITC may apply to you, get in touch with your local Macomb City solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. After 2032, the percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the program expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to talk with your local Macomb City solar panel installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Your local solar incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the Illinois government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Macomb City
You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the Illinois government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. This increase in availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. Your local Macomb City solar panel installation expert can provide you with more details about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
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 Macomb City, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I get any financial incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
While we recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives will apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the details.
I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar system — or speak to a local Macomb City solar installer — to clarify which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Macomb City.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 500 pounds of CO2 a year when you install solar panels. This adds up to roughly 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.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
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.