2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Lenox, MI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Lenox.
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 Lenox?
Michigan Saves - Home Energy Loan Program
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 to help people install solar panels on their homes. The incentives could include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the state of Michigan and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Lenox utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. A federal incentive that most people are probably 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 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, labor and equipment. This credit can be claimed on a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
Contacting your local Lenox solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC could apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. You can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. This new credit will then decrease annually until its expiration. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Lenox solar panel installation experts can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these may include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Local solar incentives could come from the Michigan government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Lenox
The nationwide use of solar energy has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the proliferation of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Michigan government. Your local Lenox solar panel installer can help you learn more about which incentives you might qualify for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.
Solar Veteran
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 Lenox, MI Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I am planning to add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many can be claimed on a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
How can I find out if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Lenox solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. Generally, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those given by the state of Michigan, might have other requirements.
If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your system — or get in touch with a local Lenox solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower the CO2 emissions from your home by 500 pounds a year, or roughly 10,000 pounds in 20 years.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can get?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details about these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
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.