2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Topeka, KS - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Topeka.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 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 Topeka solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Topeka?
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 designed to encourage people to switch to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. Different types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the state of Kansas, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to exclude the value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Topeka 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.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar system. These could be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied 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 located in the United States that you own. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
To more fully understand how the ITC could apply to your situation, get in touch with your local Topeka solar panel installer and request more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The program expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Topeka solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more can be claimed at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives — which may be handled by the state of Kansas, or by your county or municipality — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Topeka
The variety of solar incentives available has helped tremendously increase the use of solar power nationwide over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Kansas government. Getting in touch with your local Topeka solar panel installer is the right first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Topeka, KS Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Kansas government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Topeka solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.
I already have solar panels installed. Do I qualify for any incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system – or speak to a local Topeka solar installer — to clarify which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds yearly, or around 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that use solar energy, are there any benefits I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides multiple incentives that reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of solar and geothermal. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Topeka solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what incentives you might or might 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.