2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Bloomington, IN - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Bloomington.
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 Bloomington?
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
NineStar Connect - Residential Energy Efficient Equipment Rebate Program
Pool Pumps: $250/unit
Heat Pump Water Heaters: $400/unit
Air-Source Heat Pumps: $250 - $1,500/unit
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $1,500/unit
South Central Indiana REMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Air-Source, Ductless Mini Split, or Dual Fuel Heat Pump with Dual/Variable Speed Compressor: $750
Air-Source, Ductless Mini Split, or Dual Fuel Heat Pump with Single Speed Compressor Replacing Electric Resistance Heat: $800
Air-Source, Ductless Mini Split, or Dual Fuel Heat Pump with Dual/Variable Speed Compressor Replacing Electric Resistance Heat: $1,500
Noble REMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Incentives
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250-$750
Ground Source Heat Pump: $1500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400
NIPSCO - Feed-In Tariff
Wind 10 kW-200 kW: $0.15 - $0.138/kWh
Solar 5 kW - 10 kW: $0.17 - $0.1564/kWh
Solar 10 - 200 kW: $0.15/kWh - $0.138/kWh
Biomass 100kW - 1 MW: $0.0918/kWh
Duke Energy - Residential and Builder Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: $250/unit
Duct Sealing: $100/unit
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $300
WIN Energy REMC - Residential Rebate Program
Heat Pump Water Heaters: $500/unit
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $1,500/unit
Air-to-Air Heat Pump: $750/unit - $1,500
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. These incentives could include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Indiana and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your Bloomington utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you might make back 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 provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value of your solar system when paying taxes on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. This credit can apply towards a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
To find out exactly how much the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Bloomington solar panel installation expert.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit lasts until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will then decrease slightly each year until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, speak with your local Bloomington solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Incentives might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Indiana. Certain incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Bloomington
The nationwide use of solar energy has gone up tremendously in the past 15 years, in part due to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from your local utility company, the Indiana government or the federal government. If you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Bloomington solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Bloomington, IN Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Bloomington solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar 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 Indiana government, might have other requirements.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 450 pounds annually, or roughly 9,000 pounds in 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but in most cases yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
What if I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many can be claimed on a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the details.
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.