2023 Solar Incentives Guide for South Moline, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in South Moline.

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 South Moline solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in South Moline?

Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies

Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Negotiated with procurement administrators

MidAmerican Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Appliance Recycling
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50

Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Central Air Conditioners: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit A/C: $50 - $300
Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump: $150 - $350
Furnace Fan: $50
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $200 - $2,400, depending on EER and COP
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300
Natural Gas Furnace: $300/unit
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Room Air Conditioners: $35

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more Americans to switch to renewable energy. Various kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be provided via the Illinois government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These differ from tax deductions.
  • Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your South Moline utility company, that may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then deduct this value from your utility bill each month.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates might be provided by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives are usually handled at the state level. Once your solar panel system meets the qualification threshold (normally a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you make is generally considered part of your taxable income.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Warranty Coverage

ADT Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

Contacting your local South Moline solar panel installer is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit lasts until 2035. Solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current program. The expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local South Moline solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are more than just federal solar incentives; tax credits, rebates and more may be offered at the state and local level. 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 South Moline

There are many types of solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the Illinois government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. When you're ready to switch over to solar energy, reaching out to your local South Moline solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.

EcoWatch's South Moline, IL Solar Incentives FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for different solar incentives?

Generally, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar system
  2. installed on a property that you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. within the date range specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those run by the Illinois government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local South Moline solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.

What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?

You can decrease your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The Clean Energy Credit (previously referred to as the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), is slated 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 receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order your incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but in most cases yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.

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.

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