2024 Solar Incentives Guide for East Windsor, NJ - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in East Windsor.
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 East Windsor?
Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program
Small Net-Metered Non-Residential located on Rooftop, Carport, Canopy and Floating Solar
Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $100/SREC-II, $120 for public entities
Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $90/SREC-II, $110 for public entities
Net Metered Non-Residential Ground Mount
Projects smaller than 1 MW (dc): $85/SREC-II, $105 for public entities
Projects 1 MW to 5 MW (dc): $80/SREC-II, $100 for public entities
Community Solar LMI: $90/SREC-II
Community Solar Non-LMI: $70/SREC-II
Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) Registration Program
In June 2016, SREC traded at an average price of $229.90.
PSE&G - Solar Loan Program
NJ Clean Energy- Residential New Construction Program
Single family homes: Ranges from $1,125 to - 24,250
Multi-single homes: Ranges from $1,125 to $18,188
Multifamily homes: Ranges from $625-$12,125
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program
Single family : $2,000 to $4,000
Multi-family : $500-$1,500 per unit
Rebates for single family and multi-family should not exceed 50% of the cost of the measures used to calculate total estimated savings (TES)
See table below for details
Loans
Single-family: $5,000 (Tier II) or $10,000 (Tier III)4.99% interest loans up to $15,000 (where utility 0% financing is unavailable)
COOLAdvantage Program
Ductless Mini Split A/C or Heat Pump: $500
Air Source Heat Pump: $300 (Tier 1), $500(Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $500
NJ Clean Energy- WARMAdvantage Program (Electric and Gas)
Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $500
Air-Source or Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $300- $500
Residential Gas Customers (including propane):
Gas Furnace: $250- $500
Gas Boiler: $300
Gas Water Heater: $300
Solar Hot Water Heater: $1,200
Oil Heating Customers:
Oil Furnace: $250
Oil Boiler: $300
Combination Rebate
Boiler and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700
Furnace and Water Heater Combination Rebate: $700- $950
New Jersey Renewable Energy Incentive Program (Sustainable Biopower)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are intended to encourage more homeowners to convert their home partially or fully to renewable energy. Incentives might include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are handled by the New Jersey government or your utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): Generally, solar systems that produce over a specific (normally small) amount of electricity can qualify for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically provided at the state level. When you receive an SREC, you can sell it to your utility company or another buyer, and this is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value of your solar system when calculating the taxes you pay on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits differ from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your East Windsor utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be provided by your local utility company, or by your county or state. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after your purchase of a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a set percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
To better understand how the ITC could apply to you, speak to your local East Windsor solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, homeowners can apply for a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The program expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local East Windsor solar panel installation experts can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. Solar incentives might be offered by your county or municipality, or by the New Jersey government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in East Windsor
There are a variety of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those provided by the federal government and those provided by the New Jersey government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. Speak with your local solar panel installer today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your East Windsor home.
EcoWatch's East Windsor, NJ Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my East Windsor home?
Typically, homeowners in East Windsor who install solar panels save about $721.68 per year, or around $13,711.88 over 20 years after they make the switch.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To discover the best solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on the top solar companies in East Windsor.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 5,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're getting the most money possible.
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.