2025 Solar Incentives Guide for River Ridge, LA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in River Ridge.
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 River Ridge 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 River Ridge?
Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
New Orleans City - Energy Smart Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Various types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Some incentives may be provided via the Louisiana government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value of your solar system when paying taxes on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your River Ridge utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. These might be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "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 commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a set percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the total cost of installing solar panels, although it has fluctuated slightly over the last few 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 labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
Contacting your local River Ridge solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC may apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
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 might apply to you is to reach out to your local River Ridge solar panel installation expert with your questions.
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 might be distributed by the Louisiana government, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives may be ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in River Ridge
The expanding number of available solar incentives has enormously increased the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from the federal government, the Louisiana government or from your local utility company. Your local River Ridge solar panel installation company can give you more information about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's River Ridge, LA Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to the company that installed your solar system – or reach out to a local River Ridge solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (previously called the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in could vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but in most cases yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.
What if I want to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences will fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.
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.