2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Bel Air North, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Bel Air North.
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.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Bel Air North?
Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program
SWH: $500/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
New GHC: $3,000/project
GHC Replacement: $500/project
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)
Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar and Wind Electricity Sales
Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems
Clean-Burning Wood Stove Grant Program
Pellet Burning Stove: $700
Local Option - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings
Local Option - Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website
Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100
Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website
Residential/Community Wind Grant Program
Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity
Harford County - Property Tax Credit for Solar and Geothermal Devices
Delmarva Power - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
LED Fixtures: $8 per fixture
LED Lighting: Up to $3 per bulb
Appliances
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Clothes Dryer: $50
Hybrid Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
HVAC
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 (Tier 1) - $650 (Tier 2)
Central A/C: $300 (Tier 1) - $500 (Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
ECM Furnace Motor: $50 - $100
Home Energy Check up: Free
Recycling
A/C or Dehumidifier: $25
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for those who install solar panels on their homes. Different types of incentives, like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Some incentives may be provided via the state of Maryland, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce more than a predetermined (usually small) amount of electricity can qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically given by your state government. SRECs can be sold to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when you calculate the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Net Metering: Be sure to talk to your Bel Air North utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. You might have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost – for panels, equipment, labor and accessories – although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Contacting your local Bel Air North solar panel installer is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. Under the new program, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Bel Air North solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. These incentives might be given by the Maryland government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Bel Air North
Solar incentives might be offered by your local utility company, the Maryland government or the federal government. The growing number of incentives available has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. It is a good idea to talk to your local Bel Air North solar installation company to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar panels.
EcoWatch's Bel Air North, MD Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my house in Bel Air North?
Generally, homeowners in Bel Air North who install solar panels save about $781.64 per year, or approximately $14,851.18 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 annually when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to around 6,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (previously referred to as the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that utilize solar energy, are there incentives I can claim?
With the passage of the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a variety of new financial incentives that are available when you make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details about these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
What if I add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Can I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.
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.