2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Festus, MO - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Festus.
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 Festus solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Festus?
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
Citizens Electric Corporation - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Air-Source Heat Pumps - Split System: $250 - $750/unit
Ductless Air Source Heat Pump: $300/unit
Natural Gas, Propane, and Fuel Oil with Heat Pump - Split System: $500/unit
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250/unit
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" includes a range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You may be eligible for various kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Missouri government and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be offered by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
- 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 Festus utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as labor, equipment and accessories. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
To understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, talk to your local Festus solar panel installer.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will be decreased slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Festus solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Like with federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others might only be available for a limited time. They may be given by the Missouri government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Festus
The nationwide use of solar energy has gone up tremendously in the last 15 years, in part due to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the federal government, the Missouri government or your local utility company. We recommend talking to your local Festus solar installation company for more information about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar panels.
EcoWatch's Festus, MO Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I want to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
How can I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Festus 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 property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those given by the state of Missouri, might have additional requirements.
I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to the company that installed your solar system — or reach out to a local Festus 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. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to the top solar companies in Festus.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
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.