2023 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 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 Bloomington solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated March 14, 2023
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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/
The term "solar incentives" refers to a range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You might be eligible for various kinds 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 Indiana and others from the federal government. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. These rebates may be given by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- 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 let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Bloomington utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the government.
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC applies to a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006 for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all costs (panels, labor, accessories and equipment), although the total amount has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Talking to your local Bloomington solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. 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 decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Bloomington solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. Incentives may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Indiana. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Bloomington
Solar incentives might be provided by your local utility company, the federal government or the Indiana government. The variety of available solar incentives has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. Reaching out to your local Bloomington solar panel installation expert is the right first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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
EcoWatch's Bloomington, IN Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for different 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. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, like those given by the state of Indiana, may have additional requirements.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my house in Bloomington?
After adding solar panels to your home in Bloomington, you can anticipate savings of approximately $1,038.27 per year, or approximately $19,727.15 over the next 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to Bloomington's best solar panel companies.
If I change out my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there benefits that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides multiple incentives meant to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of wind and solar. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss the details of your plan with your local Bloomington solar installation expert, so that you understand what you'll need 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.