2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Emporia, KS - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Emporia.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Emporia?
Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more people to make the switch to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are handled by the Kansas government or your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar panels. These could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Emporia utility company, the company 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 other areas you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
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Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind 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 predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC applies to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own and that is located in the United States. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Contacting your local Emporia solar panel installer is the best way to learn more about how the ITC could apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; the amount will then decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. Starting 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. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Emporia solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. Like with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives — which may be given by the state of Kansas, or by your county or municipality — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Emporia
There are a number of different solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those given by the Kansas government and those provided by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy use has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. When you're ready to switch over to solar energy, calling your local Emporia solar panel installation expert is a great first step.
EcoWatch's Emporia, KS Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the Kansas government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Emporia solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
You should plan to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar system – or reach out to a local Emporia solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Emporia home?
Generally, Emporia homeowners who install solar panels save approximately $1,190.93 per year, or approximately $22,627.58 over 20 years after making the switch.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the top solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Emporia.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 500 pounds of CO2 annually when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 10,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
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.