2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Muncie, IN - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Muncie.
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 Muncie 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 Muncie?
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
Indiana Michigan Power - Energy Savings Rebate Program
Air Source Heat Pump: $100 - $200/ton
Ductless Heat Pump/Mini Split: $80 - $285/ton
Geothermal Heat Pump: $120-$240/ton
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $100-$250
ECM Furnace Fan Motor: $100
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: $200
Dehumidifier: $25
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. These financial incentives are intended to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the Indiana government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Unlike 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 added by your solar panels when calculating the taxes you pay on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Muncie utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally given before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. You may have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, accessories and equipment. 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 owned by you and in the United States.
Speaking with your local Muncie solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit for 30% of the total cost. The percentage will then decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Muncie solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more can be claimed at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. These incentives may be distributed by your county or municipality, or by the Indiana government. Certain incentives are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Muncie
Solar incentives may be offered by your local utility company, the federal government or the Indiana government. The growing number of available incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Call your local solar panel installation expert today to find out more information and to save as much money as possible on solar panels for your Muncie home.
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 Muncie, IN Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Indiana government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Muncie solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my Muncie home?
When you add solar panels to your home in Muncie, you can anticipate savings of about $909.02 per year, or about $17,271.47 over the next 20 years.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds annually, or roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of your solar panels. Depending on which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're getting the most money you can.
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.