2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Windham, ME - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Windham.
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 September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Windham?
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/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more people to switch to renewable energy. Different types of incentives, like cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Some incentives may be offered by the Maine government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Windham utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the added value of your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates can be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
Best Technology
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- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
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- Customer service varies by local dealer
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC covers solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, labor and accessories. This credit can apply towards a solar panel system 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 depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
Talking to your local Windham solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC may apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will decrease slightly each year until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Windham solar panel installer can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are more than just federal solar incentives; rebates, tax credits and more may be offered at the state and local level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Maine government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Windham
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part due to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the federal government, the Maine government or your local utility company. Your local Windham solar panel installation company can help you learn more about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Windham, ME Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I want to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States, and most secondary residences will fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
How can I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Maine government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Windham solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.
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 set to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you receive but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Check with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
Can I use a combination of 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. Make sure you go over your ideas with your local Windham solar installer. They can help you plan your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you will or won't 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.