2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Irvington, NJ - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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 Irvington 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 Irvington?

Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) Program

Incentive Type:
Performance-Based Incentive
Net-Metered Residential: $90/SREC-II

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

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of value added by renewable system

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) Registration Program

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Determined by the market.
In June 2016, SREC traded at an average price of $229.90.

PSE&G - Solar Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Other Incentive

NJ Clean Energy- Residential New Construction Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Incentives depend on the HERS score and the classification
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

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Rebates
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

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Central AC: Tier 1 $300(Tier 1), $500 (Tier 2)
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)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential Electric Customers (including municipal utility customers):
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)

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
$900,000 or 30% of the cost per project, which ever is less

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 mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are in place to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. These incentives may include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the New Jersey government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that typically becomes part of your taxable income. Generally, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are generally handled by your state government.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
  • Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Irvington utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.

Best Regional Coverage

Momentum Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • Concierge service ensures steady communication
  • Slightly limited service offerings

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Solar Veteran

Trinity Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Many financing options
  • Family-owned and -operated
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Limited service area
  • Relatively short workmanship warranty

Federal Solar Incentives

When people think of solar incentives, federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to claim the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all installation costs (panels, accessories, equipment and labor), although the amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Your local Irvington solar panel installer can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit lasts until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. This amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current program. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems with the new act.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Irvington solar panel company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives — which might be handled by the state of New Jersey, or by your county or municipality — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Irvington

You can apply for solar incentives from the New Jersey government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. Growing availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase solar adoption nationwide. Speaking with your local Irvington solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

EcoWatch's Irvington, NJ Solar Incentives FAQs

Who installs solar panel systems near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to the best solar companies in Irvington.

What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?

You can decrease your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 annually when you switch to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 5,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.

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

The order that incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you receive but in most cases yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you're eligible for and applying them in the correct order.

Can I use a combination of 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 go over your ideas with your local Irvington solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that you might or might not qualify for.

Can I receive any incentives when I add 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 fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives can be claimed on a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.

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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