2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Hattiesburg, MS - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Hattiesburg.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Hattiesburg?
Southern Pine Electric Power Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Comfort Advantage Home: $300
Additional Heat Pump: $150/Unit
Additional Geothermal HVAC: $500/Unit
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Heat Pump: $400
Electric Water Heater: $150
Existing Homes
Heat Pump: $400
Gas to Electric Water Heater Conversion: $150
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are handled by the Mississippi government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar panels. Rebates could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before calculating tax credits.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Hattiesburg utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you may make back a percentage of the value.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
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, equipment, labor and accessories. 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.
To understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Hattiesburg solar panel installation expert.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now qualify for a credit of 30% of the total costs of solar system installation for projects that began after January 1, 2022, and will be finished by the end of 2032. The percentage will then begin to decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The easiest way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Hattiesburg solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more might be claimed at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives may be distributed by the Mississippi government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hattiesburg
You can receive solar incentives from the federal government and the Mississippi government, as well as from your local utility company. The growing availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase solar adoption nationwide. Talking to your local Hattiesburg solar panel installation expert is the right first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Hattiesburg, MS Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the Mississippi government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Hattiesburg solar installer to find out what incentives your project will qualify for.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly 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 year it was installed. Speaking with the company that installed your system, or any local Hattiesburg solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you might want to apply for.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named 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.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can apply for?
The new Inflation Reduction Act creates 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.
Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you receive but generally yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
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.