2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Cottleville, MO - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Cottleville.
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 Cottleville solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Cottleville?
Wabash Valley Power Association (28 Member Cooperatives) - Residential Energy Efficiency Program
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
HVAC: Varies depending on ZIP code. See program website
Empire District Electric - Solar PV Rebates
Ameren Missouri (Electric) - Residential Heating and Cooling Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump: $300-$500
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $175-$200
Ground Source Heat Pump: $800-$2,000
Central Air Conditioner: $300-$500
Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM): $50-$100
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Tune-Up: $75
Local Option - Clean Energy Development Boards
Cuivre River Electric - Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Ground-Source Heat Pumps: $750/ton
Ground-Source Heat Pump Replacement: $150/ton
Dual Fuel Heat Pumps: $150/ton
Basement/Crawl space/slab insulation: 50% of installed cost
Advanced Thermostat: 50% of installed cost
Heat Pump Water Heater: 50% of installed cost
Window Air Conditioning: 50% of installed cost
Business Lighting Rebate: Varies, visit program website or contact utility for details
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is designed to encourage more people to make the switch to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be provided via the state of Missouri, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your Cottleville utility company, it 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 may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value of your solar system when paying taxes on your house. They may also include exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar system. These may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
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, labor, accessories and equipment. This credit can apply towards solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount 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 know exactly how much the ITC could save you, speak with your local Cottleville solar panel installation expert.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit lasts until 2035. Solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will then decrease slightly each year until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, the 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 Cottleville solar installation company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are not your only option; tax credits, rebates and more might also be offered at the state and local level. Incentives might be handled by the state of Missouri, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Cottleville
The expanding number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Missouri government. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Cottleville solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Cottleville, MO Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Can I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences fall under this distinction. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
How can I find out if I qualify for solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Cottleville solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Typically, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those given by the state of Missouri, may have additional requirements.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your system — or speak to a local Cottleville 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 house?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 500 pounds annually, or roughly 13,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that use solar energy, are there incentives that I can claim?
The new Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives meant to reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives 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.