2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Hagerstown, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hagerstown.
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 Hagerstown?
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
Residential/Community Wind Grant Program
Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity
FirstEnergy (Potomac Edison) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Lighting
LED Fixtures: Up to $8/unit
LED Bulbs: Up to $5/bulb
Occupancy Sensors: Up to $7/unit
HVAC & Other
Air-to-Air Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $250 (Tier 2); $400 (Multi Zone)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $125
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner: $125
Furnace Fans: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Circulating Pump: $30
Variable-Speed Pool Pump: $400
Two Speed Pool Pump: $150
Home Performance Audit: 75% of home improvements cost, up to $7,500
Quick Home Energy Checkup: Up to $75 in Energy-Saving Products
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by providing incentives meant to lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. The incentives may include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the Maryland government and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the added value of your solar system when you calculate how much property tax you need to pay on your house.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that normally counts as part of your taxable income. Typically, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system is eligible for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically handled by your state government.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Hagerstown utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be offered by your local utility company, or by your county or state. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, accessories and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
Wondering how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Hagerstown solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). Homeowners can now receive a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed before the end of 2032. The credit percentage will then begin to decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends 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 understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to speak with your local Hagerstown solar panel installation expert directly.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Similar to federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. These solar incentives — which might be given by the state of Maryland, or by your county or municipality — might be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hagerstown
Solar incentives may be provided by your local utlity company, the Maryland government or the federal government. The large number of solar incentives available has helped nationwide use of solar energy increase greatly in the last 15 years. Talking to your local Hagerstown solar panel installation company is the right first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
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EcoWatch's Hagerstown, MD Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Hagerstown solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Usually, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those provided at the level of the Maryland government, may have other requirements.
If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Hagerstown solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you qualify for.
What are the highest-rated solar panel installation companies near me?
To discover the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on the top solar companies in Hagerstown.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that can use solar energy, are there benefits I can claim?
Under 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 on 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?
The order that incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all possible incentives and applying them in the correct order.
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.