2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Berlin, MI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Berlin.
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 Berlin?
Michigan Saves - Home Energy Loan Program
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You may qualify for various types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Michigan government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Berlin utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Some solar companies will help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually come off your total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
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Michigan Solar Solutions
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- Offers products from leading manufacturers
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- No leases or PPAs
Outstanding Local Installer
Strawberry Solar
- Outstanding customer service
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Educational, no-pressure sales approach
- Limited warranty coverage
- No leases or PPAs
- Limited brands of solar equipment available
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you likely think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies towards 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, accessories, equipment and labor. This credit can be claimed on 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.
Your local Berlin solar panel installation expert can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now qualify for a credit equal to 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects that began after January 1, 2022 and will be finished by the end of 2032. This percentage will then decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Berlin solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies 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. These incentives may be distributed by your county or municipality, or by the Michigan government. Some are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Berlin
Nationwide solar energy use has significantly increased in the last 15 years, in part due to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from the federal government, the Michigan government or your local utility company. We recommend talking to your local Berlin solar installation company for more information about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting all of the money you can for your solar system.
EcoWatch's Berlin, MI Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel 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 Michigan government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Berlin solar installer to find out what incentives your project will qualify for.
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Berlin solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 500 pounds annually, or around 10,000 pounds in 20 years.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is slated 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.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. Make sure that you discuss the details of your plan with your local Berlin solar installation expert, so that you understand what you'll need and what incentives 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.