2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Whitmore Lake, MI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Whitmore Lake.
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 Whitmore Lake?
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 via financial incentives to help people install solar panels on their homes. The incentives might include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Michigan and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- 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 Whitmore Lake utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar system. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. One of the incentives that most people are likely to be familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a given percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, labor, equipment and accessories — although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Your local Whitmore Lake solar panel installer can provide more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022 and will be done by December 31, 2032. The credit will then see a slight annual decrease until its expiration. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, reach out to your local Whitmore Lake solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others might only be available for a limited time. They may be offered by the Michigan government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Whitmore Lake
Nationwide solar energy use has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the Michigan government, the federal government or your local utility company. Your local Whitmore Lake solar panel installation expert can help you learn more about which incentives you can apply for, and get you feeling good about making the change 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 Whitmore Lake, MI Solar Incentives FAQs
If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to someone from the company that installed your system — or get in touch with a local Whitmore Lake solar installer — to better understand which incentives you may qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the top solar companies in Whitmore Lake.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 500 pounds of CO2 annually by installing solar panels. This adds up to around 10,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can apply for?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates a number of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
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 discuss your ideas with your local Whitmore Lake solar installation expert. They can help you with the plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you might or might 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.