2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Alliance, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Alliance.
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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Updated February 03, 2024
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Alliance?
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs)
Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program
Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program
Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives encourage people to switch their home over to renewable energy by providing financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Solar incentives might include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the state of Ohio and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Don't forget to talk to your Alliance utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to receive credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You could receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or 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.
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually be deducted from your total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar other performance-based incentives might be available to you if you have a solar system that produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are usually handled by the state government. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is generally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions go into effect at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC covers solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, equipment and accessories. You can claim this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
To more fully understand how the ITC could apply to your situation, reach out to your local Alliance solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act laid out new provisions for the ITC, now titled the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit extends until 2035. You can now receive a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032. The credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until its expiration. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to reach out to your local Alliance solar panel installers with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to those provided at the federal level, there are often also state solar incentives. Rebates, tax credits and more may be available at a more local level. Incentives might be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Ohio. Some incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Alliance
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You might receive these incentives from the federal government, the Ohio government or your local utility company. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Alliance solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Alliance, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
I already have solar panels. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to the company that installed your solar system – or reach out to a local Alliance solar installer — to clarify which incentives you might 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%.
How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Alliance annually?
After adding solar panels to your house in Alliance, you can anticipate savings of approximately $698.10 per year, or about $13,263.93 over the next 20 years.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To learn about the best solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on the top solar companies in Alliance.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front 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 generally yes, you can receive 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 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 employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. Be sure to discuss your proposed plan with your local Alliance solar installation expert, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what kinds of incentives you will or won't 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.