2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Buxton, ME - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Buxton.
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 Buxton?
Solar and Wind Energy Property Tax Exemption
Efficiency Maine - Home Energy Loans
Efficiency Maine Residential Home Energy Savings Program
Air Sealing (6 hrs): $400
Insulation: 30% of project costs, up to $1,000 per zone
Air-Source Heat Pumps: $500 for single or first zone heating; an additional $250 is available for second zone heating
Biomass Boilers and Furnaces: One third of the installation cost up to $6,000
See rebate application for full list of rebate bonuses
Local Option - Property Assessed Clean Energy
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers to a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are provided by the state of Maine or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Net Metering: Be sure to speak to your Buxton utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: These might come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. One of the incentives that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a specific percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property owned by you for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC originally paid out 30% of all system installation costs (panels, labor, accessories and equipment), although the total amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To more fully understand how the ITC could apply to you, speak to your local Buxton solar panel installer and ask for more information.
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. Homeowners are now eligible for 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. This percentage will then decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Buxton solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Tax credits, rebates and more may be available at a more local level. These incentives — which might be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Maine — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Buxton
You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the Maine government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. The increased availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. Your local Buxton solar panel installation expert can provide you with more details about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
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
EcoWatch's Buxton, ME Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I am planning to add a solar system to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property located within the United States that you own, and most secondary residences fall under this distinction. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Maine government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Buxton solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Buxton annually?
After adding solar panels to your house in Buxton, you can anticipate savings of about $876.62 per year, or about $16,655.80 over 20 years.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on which incentives you are eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming the correct incentives and getting the most money you can.
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.