2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Circleville, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Circleville.
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.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Circleville?
Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program
Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts
Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are intended to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy by offering financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Incentives might include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are provided by the Ohio government or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if you have a solar system that produces more than a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are normally handled by the state government. You can sell your SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the added value of your solar system when you calculate how much property tax you need to pay.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Circleville utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Rebates: Solar rebates might be provided by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after you purchase solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC covers solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, labor and accessories. You can claim this credit for a solar panel system installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The original amount you could claim was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum claim amount.
Your local Circleville solar panel installation expert can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it applies to your situation.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also 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 credit percentage will decrease slightly each year until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The easiest way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to speak with your local Circleville solar panel installation expert directly.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more might be claimed at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Ohio government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Circleville
Solar incentives might be provided by the federal government, the Ohio government or your local utility company. The variety of incentives available has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. Contact 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 Circleville home.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Circleville, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I learn if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Ohio government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Circleville solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you had your system installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the year it was installed. Speaking with a representative from the company that installed your solar system, or any local Circleville solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Circleville?
On average, homeowners in Circleville who install solar panels save about $923.73 per year, or about $17,550.94 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are the top solar panel installation companies near me?
To find the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on Circleville's top solar panel companies.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds a year, or around 9,000 pounds in 20 years.
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.