2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Petal, MS - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Petal.

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 Petal solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Petal?

Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
New Homes
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

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


The term "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives put in place 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 credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, while others are provided by the Mississippi government or your utility company, county or municipality. 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 have in place a net metering agreement with your Petal 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 others you might get refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
  • Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the federal government.
  • Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your local utility company, or by your county or state. These rebates are essentially partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC initially applied to 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation, and has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, labor and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.

Reaching out to your local Petal solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to you.

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 are now eligible for a credit equal to 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects that began after January 1, 2022 and will be finished by the end of 2032. This percentage will then decrease yearly until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Beginning 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. Your local Petal solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Not all solar incentives are federal; tax credits, rebates and more are often offered at the state and local level. These incentives may be given out by your county or municipality, or by the Mississippi government. Some incentives may be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Petal

There are many types of solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those provided by the Mississippi government and those provided by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. Getting in touch with your local Petal solar panel installer is an excellent first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

Best National Provider

SunPower

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  • Most efficient panels on the market
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Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

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  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
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Tesla Energy

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  • Price-match guarantee
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  • Best solar battery on the market
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EcoWatch's Petal, MS Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?

Broadly, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar panel system
  2. installed on property you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. within the date range specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those given out by the Mississippi government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Petal solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.

How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my house in Petal?

Typically, homeowners in Petal who install solar panels save approximately $1,114.54 per year, or approximately $21,176.20 over 20 years after making the switch.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now titled 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.

I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can apply for?

Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of 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.

Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?

You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to discuss your plan with your local Petal solar installer. They can help you as you plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you will or won't 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.

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