2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Ahoskie, NC - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Ahoskie.
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.
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Updated September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Ahoskie?
Duke Energy - NC Solar Rebate Program
Nonresidential: $0.50/W-AC
Nonprofit: $0.75/W-AC
Property Tax Abatement for Solar Electric Systems
All other systems: 80% of the appraised value
Active Solar Heating and Cooling Systems Exemption
EnergyUnited (Electric) Residential Energy Efficiency Program
Heat Pumps (16 SEER): $300/unit
NC GreenPower Production Incentive
PV larger than 5 kW: must enter bid process
Wind up to 10 kW: $0.09/kWh
Wind larger than 10 kW: must enter bid process
Local Option - Financing Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Local Option - Green Building Incentives
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy by offering incentives that lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. Solar incentives might include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the state of North Carolina and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Ahoskie utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that normally counts as part of your taxable income. In most cases, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system is eligible for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically handled by your state government.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system may qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your home.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. These could be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
Federal Solar Incentives
When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives might be 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 provides a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost — for panels, accessories, labor and equipment — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Curious how the ITC might apply to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Ahoskie solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit is valid 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 be decreased slightly each year until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to speak with your local Ahoskie solar panel company directly.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are more than just federal solar incentives; rebates, tax credits and more may be offered at the local or state level. These incentives may be provided by the North Carolina government, or by your county or municipality. Some are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Ahoskie
The variety of available solar incentives has contributed greatly to the increase in the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the North Carolina government or the federal government. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Ahoskie solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Ahoskie, NC Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives can be claimed on 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?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including ones handled by the North Carolina government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Ahoskie solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your solar system — or reach out to a local Ahoskie solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly 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 panel systems near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Ahoskie.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 a year when you install solar panels. This adds up to approximately 6,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
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.