2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Cedar Lake, IN - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Cedar Lake.
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 Cedar Lake solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Cedar Lake?
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
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
Wabash Valley Power Association (28 Member Cooperatives) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
HVAC: Varies depending on ZIP code. See program website
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are offered by the Indiana government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the government.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. Rebates could be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
- Net Metering: Make sure you talk to your Cedar Lake utility company about signing a net metering contract. This allows you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system may 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 home.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the total cost of installing solar panels, although it has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
To better understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, contact your local Cedar Lake solar panel installer.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners are now eligible for a credit equal to 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed before the end of 2032. The credit percentage will then begin to decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Cedar Lake solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. They might be offered by the Indiana government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Cedar Lake
The expanding number of available solar incentives has enormously increased the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Indiana government. We recommend talking to your local Cedar Lake solar installation company for more information about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar system.
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
EcoWatch's Cedar Lake, IN Solar Incentives FAQs
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Cedar Lake?
After adding solar panels to your home in Cedar Lake, you can expect to save approximately $1,041.48 per year, or approximately $19,788.07 over 20 years.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 450 pounds yearly, or roughly 9,000 pounds in 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can get?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates several new financial incentives that are available when you make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Make sure you discuss your plan with your local Cedar Lake solar installation expert. They can help you with the plan for your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you may or may not 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.