2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Swansea, IL - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Swansea.
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 Swansea?
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems
Solar Renewable Energy Credits
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy by providing financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You might be eligible for different types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts 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 Exemptions: Your solar panels could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your house.
- Net Metering: Be sure to talk with your Swansea utility company about signing a net metering contract. This will allow you to receive credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives might be available to you if the solar system on your home produces more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is normally handled at the state level. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the government.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. One of the incentives many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar system installation, 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 and that is located in the United States. 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.
To best understand how the ITC may apply to your situation, reach out to your local Swansea solar panel installer and ask for more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, may qualify for a 30% tax credit; the amount will be decreased slightly each year until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program 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 Swansea solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more might be provided at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These solar incentives — which might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Illinois — might be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Swansea
The expanding number of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the use of solar power nationwide over the last 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the federal government, the Illinois government or from your local utility company. Speak with your local solar panel installer today to find out more information and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Swansea home.
EcoWatch's Swansea, IL Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a good idea to talk to your local Swansea solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those provided at the level of the Illinois government, might have other requirements.
How much will solar panels save me annually on my electric bill in Swansea?
When you add solar panels to your house in Swansea, you can anticipate savings of approximately $777.60 per year, or around $14,774.49 over the next 20 years.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To find the best solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Swansea.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of solar and wind power. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss your plan with your local Swansea solar panel installer, to make sure you know what you'll need and what types of incentives you might or might not qualify for.
What if I am planning to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will 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 under this distinction. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.
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.