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

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

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 Omaha solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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 Omaha?

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

Nebraska Public Power District - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Smart Thermostat: Up to $100
High Efficiency Heat Pump: $300 - $2,500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $300 - $500
Cooling System Tune-Up: $30
Attic Insulation: $0.15/sq. ft.

Local Option - Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing

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

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Community Renewable Energy Projects

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

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/


Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy by offering financial incentives meant to lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You may be eligible for different types of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Nebraska government and others from the federal government. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar system. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before tax credits are calculated.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system may qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the added value of the solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
  • Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Omaha utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.

Best National Provider

SunPower

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  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

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 you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. An incentive that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, accessories and labor. You can receive this credit for 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 depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.

To better understand how the ITC will apply to you, speak to your local Omaha solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now titled the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now qualify for a credit of 30% of the total costs of solar system installation for projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed before the end of 2032. The percentage will then begin to decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, get in touch with your local Omaha solar installation company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Rebates, tax credits and more can be claimed at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. Incentives might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of Nebraska. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Omaha

There are many types of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the Nebraska government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. When you're ready to make the change to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Omaha solar panel installation expert is a great first step.

EcoWatch's Omaha, NE Solar Incentives FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for different solar incentives?

Broadly, solar incentives apply to:

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

Specific incentives, including ones handled by the Nebraska government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Get in touch with your local Omaha solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project will qualify for.

I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?

Your best bet is to talk to a representative from the company that installed your system – or call a local Omaha solar installer — to better understand 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. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?

Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 500 pounds a year, or roughly 10,000 pounds in 20 years.

Can I apply for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order in which incentives are applied might vary depending on which incentives you are claiming but usually yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Talk with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure 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.

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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