2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Millstone, NJ - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

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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 Millstone?

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.

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/


The phrase "solar incentives" includes a wide range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You might be eligible for different types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of New Jersey and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

  • Net Metering: Make sure you talk with your Millstone utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to get a credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. Solar rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. Tax credits differ from tax deductions.
  • 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. Typically, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are typically handled at the state level.
  • Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your home.

Federal Solar Incentives

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

The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost — for panels, accessories, labor and equipment — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Your local Millstone solar panel installer can offer more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; the amount will then decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Millstone solar panel installation experts can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Not all solar incentives are federal; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the state and local level. The incentives — which may be provided 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 Millstone

There are many types of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the New Jersey government and those given by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown enormously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. Call your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save as much money as possible on solar panels for your Millstone home.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
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

EcoWatch's Millstone, NJ Solar Incentives FAQs

Can I get any financial incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?

Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.

How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my Millstone home?

After adding solar panels to your home in Millstone, you can anticipate savings of around $716.04 per year, or around $13,604.70 over the next 20 years.

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

Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching 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 300 pounds a year, or roughly 6,000 pounds over 20 years.

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

The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but in most cases yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to make sure you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.

Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?

Yes, you can use multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss your proposed plan with your local Millstone solar installation expert, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what types of incentives 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.

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