2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Takoma Park, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Takoma Park.
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 Takoma Park?
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
PEPCO - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
LED Bulbs: Up to $3 per bulb
LED Fixtures: $8 per fixture
Appliances
Clothes Dryer: $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
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
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Room A/C or Dehumidifier: $25
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are intended to encourage more Americans to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. Various types of incentives, like cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be offered by the Maryland government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. States or counties will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. Any rebates you receive will usually come off your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which would allow you to exclude the value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar other performance-based incentives might be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are normally handled by the state government. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is typically considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Takoma Park utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may make back a percentage of the value.
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Solar Veteran
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost – for panels, accessories, equipment and labor – although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Your local Takoma Park solar panel installer can offer more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. Under the new program, solar installation projects begun after January 1, 2022, and finished by December 31, 2032, might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage 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 obtain credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, get in touch with your local Takoma Park solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. The incentives — which might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Maryland — might be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Takoma Park
Solar incentives can be provided by the federal government, the Maryland government or your local utility company. The large number of available incentives has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. Your local Takoma Park solar panel installation company can give you more information about which incentives you can apply for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Takoma Park, MD Solar Incentives FAQs
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Takoma Park?
Once you add solar panels to your Takoma Park home, you can anticipate savings of approximately $843.10 per year, or around $16,861.93 over 20 years.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly called the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
If I change out my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there any benefits I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for multiple incentives designed to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I apply for 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 receiving, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming the correct incentives and that you're getting the most money you can.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy 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. Be sure to talk through your plan with your local Takoma Park solar installer. They can help you plan your project and educate you on the various incentives that you may or may 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.