2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Burlington, KY - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Burlington.
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.
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Updated March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Burlington?
Duke Energy - Residential Efficiency Rebate Program
Central Air Conditioning or Heat Pump: up to $400/unit
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400/unit
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: $300/unit
Attic Insulation and Attic Air Sealing: $250/unit
Duct Sealing: $100/unit
Duct Insulation: $75/unit
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives designed to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Various types of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the Kentucky government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which would allow you to exclude the value of your solar system when calculating the taxes you pay on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Burlington utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. Rebates may 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 calculating tax credits.
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. An incentive many people are likely to be familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a given percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, labor and accessories — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Your local Burlington solar panel installer can provide more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit re-raises the credit up to 30% for solar installations undertaken between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. After 2032, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to reach out to your local Burlington solar panel company with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Kentucky government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Burlington
You can qualify for solar incentives from the Kentucky government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. This increase in availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. When you're ready to switch over to solar energy, calling your local Burlington solar panel installation expert is a great first step.
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 Burlington, KY Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Burlington solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those provided by the Kentucky government, might have other requirements.
If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar panels — or speak to a local Burlington solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may 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%.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the best solar panel installers near you, read our article on Burlington's best solar panel companies.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you receive but usually yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch 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.
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, such as a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. Be sure to discuss your plan with your local Burlington solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what types of incentives 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.