2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Norfolk, NE - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Norfolk solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

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 Norfolk?

Dollar and Energy Savings Loans

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Traditional Dollar and Energy Savings Loans:
Residential: $125,000;
Multifamily dwellings with 3 or more units: $250,000
Non-Residential: $500,000;
Home Electronics: $25,000;
Office Electronics: $50,000
Alternative Fuel Projects: $500,000
Telecommunications Projects: $250,000

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Community Renewable Energy Projects

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Local Option - Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing

Incentive Type:
PACE Financing
PACE bonds are capped at $5 million unless approved by referendum.

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 phrase "solar incentives" includes a wide 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 qualify for different kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Nebraska government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before calculating tax credits.
  • Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Norfolk utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. They will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
  • Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Federal Solar Incentives

When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. A federal incentive that most people are probably familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be applied 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, equipment, accessories and labor – although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

To find out exactly how much money the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Norfolk solar panel installer.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Under the new program, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032, can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. 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. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Norfolk solar panel installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Like with federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. Incentives might be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Nebraska. Some incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Norfolk

The large number of available solar incentives has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Nebraska government. We recommend talking to your local Norfolk solar installation company to learn more about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar panels.

EcoWatch's Norfolk, NE Solar Incentives FAQs

If I already have a solar system installed on my house, can I still claim incentives?

If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your solar system, or any local Norfolk solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you qualify for.

How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I install solar panels on my Norfolk home?

Typically, homeowners in Norfolk who install solar panels save approximately $809.17 per year, or about $15,374.21 over 20 years after making the switch.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The federal solar tax credit, formerly called 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.

Can I use multiple types 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 talk through your ideas with your local Norfolk solar installation expert. They can help you plan your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you might or might not 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.

Follow us