2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Madison, IN - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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 Madison solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated October 25, 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 Madison?

Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor
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

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500
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

Incentive Type:
Feed-in Tariff
Wind 3 - 10 kW: $0.23 - $0.25/kWh
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

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
HVAC Install (Heat Pumps, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Central Air Conditioners): $300 - $400/unit with additional $125 if installed along with a smart thermostat
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: $250/unit
Duct Sealing: $100/unit
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $300

Clark County REMC - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Heat Pumps: $750 - $1500
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $1500
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50 per unit
LED: 75% of cost

Jackson County REMC - Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Heap Pump Water Heater: $500 for the primary unit and $750 for the secondary unit
Air-Source or Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400/Unit - $1,500/Unit
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500/Unit
Duel Fuel Heat Pump: $400/Unit - $1,500/Unit

Southeastern Indiana REMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Electric Heat Pump: $500
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $800 - $1,500
Mobile Home/Manufactured Housing: $1,000 - $3,000
Traditional Stick-built Modular Home Pre-Fab: $1,000 - $3,000
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,750 - $3,000
Attic Insulation: $250 - $500
Duct Sealing: $250
Thermostat: $100
Crawl Space Remediation: $500 LED Lighting Store: Varies
Electric Water Heater: $50
Heat Pump Water Heater: $600

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 intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for those who install solar panels on their homes. Various kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be handled by the Indiana government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Madison 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 deduct this value from your monthly utility bill.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
  • Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. These rebates might be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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. An incentive that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a given percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC is applied to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, accessories and labor. You can claim this credit 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. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

To find out exactly how much the ITC could save you, talk to your local Madison solar panel installation expert.

In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. American homeowners can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022 and will be done by December 31, 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until it expires. The expansion to the program also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, beginning in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Madison solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Tax credits, rebates and more might be available at a more local level. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. These incentives might be offered by your county or municipality, or by the Indiana government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Madison

Solar incentives can be provided by the Indiana government, the federal government or your local utility company. The large number of solar incentives available has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Reaching out to your local Madison solar panel installation company is the right first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

EcoWatch's Madison, IN Solar Incentives FAQs

How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Madison annually?

Typically, homeowners in Madison who install solar panels save around $946.10 per year, or around $17,975.98 over 20 years after they make the switch.

Who installs solar panels near me?

To learn about the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on Madison's top solar panel companies.

What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?

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

I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can claim?

With the passage of the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a variety of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.

Can I apply for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order your incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but generally yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure 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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