2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Delaware, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Delaware.
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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Delaware?
Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program
Consolidated Electric Cooperative - Heat Pump and Water Heating Rebates
Duel Fuel Heat Pump Rebate: $600
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,000
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 meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is designed to encourage more Americans to make the switch to renewable energy. You may qualify for several types of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Ohio and others from the federal government. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that typically becomes part of your taxable income. Typically, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are normally handled at the state level.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar panels. These might be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value of your solar system when paying property tax on your home. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Delaware 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 monthly utility bill.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. A federal incentive many 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 panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Initially, the credit applied to 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, accessories and labor — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Your local Delaware solar panel installer can offer more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar installations undertaken between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. At this point, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the end of the program in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Delaware solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Rebates, tax credits and more might be available at a more local level. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Local solar incentives might come from the Ohio government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Delaware
You can apply for solar incentives from the Ohio 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 nationwide solar energy use enormously. Call your local solar panel installation expert today to find out more information and to save the most money possible on a solar system for your Delaware home.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Delaware, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives can be claimed on a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.
Who installs solar panels near me?
To discover the top solar panel installation companies near you, read our article on Delaware's top solar panel companies.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by switching where you get your energy, you can help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. You can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds yearly, or roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years.
If I switch my appliances out for ones that can utilize solar energy, are there any benefits that I can claim?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for several incentives that reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize 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. Make sure that you discuss your plan with your local Delaware solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what 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.