2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Scaggsville, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Scaggsville.

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 Scaggsville solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Scaggsville?

Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
PV: $1,000/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
SWH: $500/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
New GHC: $3,000/project
GHC Replacement: $500/project

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar and Wind Electricity Sales

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption from sales and use tax

Wood Heating Fuel Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Howard County - High Performance and Green Building Property Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
High Performance Buildings (except R-2, R-3 buildings): credit of 10% to 75% of taxes owed for 3 to 5 years; varies by building type and building rating

High Performance R-2, R-3 Buildings: credit of 19% to 100% of taxes owed for 4 years; varies by building rating and declines for each year claimed (i.e., the Year 2 % is less than Year 1)

Green Buildings (w/energy conservation devices): credit of 14% - 20% of cost of device for 3 years; varies by building rating

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Appliances & Recycling
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

Clean-Burning Wood Stove Grant Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Stick Burning Stove: $500
Pellet Burning Stove: $700

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Varies based on market conditions

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Appliances & Recycling
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

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential: $4,000/kW of normalized capacity at 11 m/s
Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity

Local Option - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies

Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property

Local Option - Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more Americans to switch to renewable energy. Solar incentives may include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the Maryland government and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels might qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your home.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Solar rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
  • 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.)
  • Net Metering: Be sure to speak to your Scaggsville utility company about signing a net metering contract. This allows you to receive 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.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives are typically handled by your state government. Once your solar panel system meets the qualification threshold (generally a small amount of energy production), you are eligible to receive SRECs that you can then sell to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive is usually considered part of your taxable income.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Federal Solar Incentives

When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a set percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies 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 amount you can claim.

To know exactly how much money the ITC could save you, contact your local Scaggsville solar panel installer.

The ITC was both renewed and expanded by 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. The amount of the credit will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Scaggsville solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Rebates, tax credits and more can be offered at a more local level. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. They might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the Maryland government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Scaggsville

Solar incentives may come from your local utility company, the Maryland government or the federal government. The variety of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Speaking with your local Scaggsville solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.

EcoWatch's Scaggsville, MD Solar Incentives FAQs

How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Scaggsville?

Generally, Scaggsville homeowners who install solar panels save around $748.37 per year, or around $14,219.09 over 20 years after making the switch.

What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?

You can decrease your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to around 6,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.

Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?

Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of wind and solar. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. You should discuss the details of your plan with your local Scaggsville solar panel installer, to make sure you know what you'll need and what kinds of incentives you might or might not qualify for.

What if I am planning to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?

While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many can be claimed on a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.

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.

Follow us