2024 Solar Incentives Guide for St. James, NY - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in St. James.
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 St. James?
State of NY Commercial PACE Financing Program
Residential Solar Tax Credit
Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Corporate)
NY-Sun Loan Program
Small Business and Not-for-Profit Organizations:
Participation Loans: up to $100,000 (at low interest rate)
On-Bill Recovery loans: $50,000 at 2%
Residential Wood Heating Fuel Exemption
Local Option - Solar Sales Tax Exemption
Solar Sales Tax Exemption
Local Option - Real Property Tax Exemption for Green Buildings
Energy Conservation Improvements Property Tax Exemption
Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption
NY-Sun PV Incentive Program (Residential, Low-Income, and Small Business)
Residential:
Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.30/W
Upstate Region: $0.35/W
Low-to-Moderate income customers: $0.80/W (up to 10 kW)
Small Commercial (Non-Residential):Long Island Region: $0.00/W (MW blocks have been fully subscribed)
Con Edison Region: $0.60/W
Up State Region: $0.45/W
Multifamily Affordable Housing Adder: additional $0.40/W (up to 50 kW)
PSEG Long Island - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Advanced Power Strips: $10 - $20
Air Purifier: $25 - $50
Clothes Dryer: $50 - $250
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $30
Dishwasher: $50
Exhaust Fan: $20 - $25
Electric Freezer: $30
Heat Pump Water Heater: $650
Pool Pumps: $150 - $350
Refrigerator: $50
Refrigerator Recycling: $50
Lighting
Instant Rebates Vary by Product
Bulk Light Purchases: Up to $2 - $3/unit
Cooling & Heating
Central Air Conditioning: $450
Smart Thermostat: $85
Ground Source Heat Pump: $2,000/ton
Ground Source Heat Pump Rebate Program
Large Systems (> 10 cooling tons): $1,200/cooling ton
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
Refundable Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit (Personal)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives designed to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. These incentives might include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the state of New York and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your St. James utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. Any rebates you receive will usually be deducted from the total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when calculating the taxes you pay on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
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
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. You may have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit equal to a predetermined percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC applies to the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels have to have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to be eligible for the credit. Originally, the ITC covered 30% of all system costs (panels, equipment, labor and accessories), although the amount has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Your local St. James solar panel installation expert can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. At this point, the percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the end of the program in 2035. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to get in touch with your local St. James solar panel company.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are not your only option; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the state and local level. Incentives may be provided by the state of New York, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in St. James
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part due to the proliferation of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the New York government, the federal government or your local utility company. Getting in touch with your local St. James solar panel installer is the right first step towards getting the most money possible when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's St. James, NY Solar Incentives FAQs
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system – or call a local St. James solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently 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%.
How much will solar panels save me annually on my electric bill in St. James?
Generally, St. James homeowners who install solar panels save approximately $1,151.18 per year, or about $21,872.41 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To find a top-rated solar panel installer, check out our guide to the best solar companies in St. James.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce the CO2 emissions from your home by 500 pounds annually, or around 10,000 pounds in 20 years.
What if I want to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
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.