2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Carney, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Carney.
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 Carney?
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
Baltimore County - Property Tax Credit for Solar and Geothermal Devices
Local Option - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings
Baltimore County - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings and Homes
Homes (LEED or NGBS): 40% - 100% of county real property taxes assessed for 3 - 5 years
Homes (Energy Improvements): varies, equal to the % of energy efficiency improvement over a baseline of existing home or the energy code for new homes
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are provided by the Maryland government or by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are usually given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates can be given by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other similar performance-based incentives are usually handled by your state government. Once your solar panel system meets a predetermined threshold (normally a small amount of energy production), you can receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you make from the sale is generally considered part of your taxable income.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Carney utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Tax Exemptions: These can 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 home. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
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Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC applies to a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed after January 1, 2006, on a property owned by you for you to claim the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although this amount has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
To better understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Carney solar panel installer.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. With the new provisions, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032, might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Carney solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Not all solar incentives are federal; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the state and local level. Incentives might be handled by the state of Maryland, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Carney
Solar incentives can come from the federal government, the Maryland government or your local utility company. The large number of solar incentives available has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Speak with your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Carney home.
EcoWatch's Carney, MD Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Carney solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, such as those offered by the government of Maryland, may have additional requirements.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — 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 300 pounds yearly, or roughly 6,000 pounds in 20 years.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a variety of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details about these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of your solar panels. Depending on which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm that you are claiming the correct incentives and that you're getting the most money possible.
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.