2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Chesterfield, MI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Chesterfield.
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 Chesterfield?
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Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. 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 Michigan government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the added value of your solar system when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar system. States or counties will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually be deducted from your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering agreement with your Chesterfield utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. They will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the federal government.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. An incentive many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies to a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels have to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006 for you to claim the credit. Originally, the ITC covered 30% of all installation costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although this amount has fluctuated slightly over the last few 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.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Chesterfield solar panel installer to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). With the new provisions, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Chesterfield solar panel installer can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more can be provided at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. These local incentives may come from the Michigan government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Chesterfield
The variety of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from the Michigan government, the federal government or your local utility company. Your local Chesterfield solar panel installation company can provide you with more details about which incentives you should apply for, and get you feeling good about making the change to renewable energy today.
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Michigan Solar Solutions
- Great warranty coverage
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Slightly limited service offerings
- 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
EcoWatch's Chesterfield, MI Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the details.
How can I learn 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.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the Michigan government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Chesterfield solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the top solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Chesterfield.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named 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 claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but in most cases yes, you can receive 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.
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.