2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Mount Vernon, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Mount Vernon.
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 September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Mount Vernon?
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 homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy by offering financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You might be eligible for different 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 are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the government.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Mount Vernon 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 might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- 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. Generally, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are normally handled at the state level.
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Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. You might have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC covers solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. This credit can apply towards solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Reaching out to your local Mount Vernon 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 referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Homeowners can now receive a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed before the end of 2032. The percentage will then begin to decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The program expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, reach out to your local Mount Vernon solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Not all solar incentives are federal; tax credits, rebates and more might also be offered at the local or state level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. These incentives might be given by the Illinois government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Mount Vernon
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up significantly in the past 15 years, in part due to the proliferation of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Illinois government. If you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Mount Vernon solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Mount Vernon, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Illinois government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Mount Vernon solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.
My home already has solar panels. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the exact installation date. Speaking with a representative from the company that installed your system, or any local Mount Vernon solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of your 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 ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money possible.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of wind and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. Make sure that you discuss the details of your plan with your local Mount Vernon solar panel installer, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what types of incentives 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.