2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Frankfort, KY - Tax Credits & Rebates

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Frankfort?

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/

The phrase "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives implemented by the government and by solar companies to encourage increased use of renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. You may qualify for different kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Kentucky and others from the federal government. Categories of solar incentives include:

• Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your home. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
• Net Metering: You can sign a net metering agreement with your Frankfort utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. They will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
• Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
• Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates can be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC was originally for 30% of the cost of solar system installation, and has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, labor and accessories. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.

Wondering how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Frankfort solar panel installer to get more information.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. Homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032. This new credit will then decrease annually until it expires. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to speak with your local Frankfort solar panel installation expert directly.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. These incentives may be handled by your county or municipality, or by the Kentucky government. Some incentives may be ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Frankfort

There are many kinds of solar incentives: those provided by the federal government, those given by the Kentucky government and those given by local utility companies, to name a few. Solar energy use has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. When you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Frankfort solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.