2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Lake Elmo, MN - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Lake Elmo.
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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Lake Elmo solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Lake Elmo?
Xcel Energy - Solar*Rewards Program
Medium-sized Systems 25.1-500 kW: $0.0375/kWh
Large Systems (>500kW): Determined through competitive bid
Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption
Wind and Solar-Electric (PV) Systems Exemption
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Wind Energy Sales Tax Exemption
Xcel Energy (Electric and Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Natural Gas Furnace Existing Home: $200-$400
Natural Gas Furnace New Construction: $100-$200
Natural Gas Hot Water Boiler: $100-$400
ECM Furnace: $100
Central AC: $150-$450
Tank Water Heater: $75-$500
Tankless Water Heater: $250
Attic/Wall Insulation: 30% of project cost
Air Sealing: $150-$200
Furnaces: $200-$425
Boilers: $125-$400
ECM Motor Furnace Fan: $125
Programmable Thermostat: $10
Heat Pumps: $175-$475
Water Heating: $100-$250
Clothes Washer: $10
Refrigerator: $15
Ground Source Heat Pump: $150/ton
Brainerd Public Utilities - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Xcel Energy - Renewable Development Fund Grants
Connexus Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program
OR
$20,000
Home Energy Loan Program
Fix-Up Loan
Renewable Energy Production Incentive
1.0¢/kWh for certain hydro facilities in need of repair
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to encourage people to switch to renewable energy by providing financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. The incentives can include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the state of Minnesota and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system might qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
- Net Metering: Be sure to talk to your Lake Elmo utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to receive credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- 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. The value of a rebate will usually come off the total price before any tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, accessories and labor. You can claim this credit for 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.
To better understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, speak with your local Lake Elmo solar panel installer.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Homeowners can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until it expires. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, reach out to your local Lake Elmo solar installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these could include rebates, tax credits and more. Incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Minnesota. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Lake Elmo
The large number of available solar incentives has enormously increased the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Minnesota government. It is a good idea to talk to your local Lake Elmo solar installer to learn more about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting all of the money you can for your solar system.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Lake Elmo, MN Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you installed your system between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the exact installation date. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Lake Elmo solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my house in Lake Elmo?
On average, homeowners in Lake Elmo who install solar panels save around $1,008.63 per year, or around $19,163.96 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 annually by installing solar panels. This adds up to approximately 9,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now named the Clean Energy Credit, is set 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.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that utilize solar energy, are there incentives that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates several new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding 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.