2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Pasadena, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Pasadena.
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 May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Pasadena?
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
Anne Arundel County - Solar and Geothermal Equipment Property Tax Credits
Anne Arundel County - High Performance Dwelling Property Tax Credit
LEED or NGBS Gold: 60% of real property taxes for 5 years
LEED Platinum or NGBS Emerald: 80% of real property taxes for 5 years
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to a range of financial incentives put in place to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Incentives might include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are offered by the state of Maryland or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels might qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of the solar panels when calculating property taxes on your house.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Pasadena utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives are usually handled by your state government. Once your solar system meets the threshold (typically a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that can be sold to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are typically given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Solar rebates might be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. One of the incentives that most people are probably familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a certain percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, equipment and accessories. You can claim this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum claim amount.
To better understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Pasadena solar panel installation expert.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Homeowners can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. The credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until it expires. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to talk with your local Pasadena solar panel installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Local solar incentives might come from the Maryland government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Pasadena
Solar energy use nationwide has significantly increased in the last 15 years, in part due to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from your local utility company, the Maryland government or the federal government. Your local Pasadena solar panel installation company can provide you with more details about which incentives you should apply for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.
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
EcoWatch's Pasadena, MD Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences will fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you installed your system between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Talking to the company that installed your system, or any local Pasadena solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you qualify for.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to Pasadena's best solar panel companies.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 a year by installing solar panels. This adds up to roughly 6,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Make sure you talk through your ideas with your local Pasadena solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you might or might not qualify for.
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.