2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Fairfield, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program
Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts
Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs)
Duke Energy (Gas & Electric) - Residential Efficiency Rebate Program
Central AC or Heat pump: $300-$400
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400
Smart Thermostat: $125
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: $300
Duct Sealing: $100
Duct Insulation: $75
Attic Insulation and Air Sealing: $250
Dayton Power and Light - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Air Conditioning: $100 - $150, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Air Source Heat Pump: $150 - $250, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Geothermal Heat Pump: $800 - $1,000, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Heat Pump Water Heaters: $400
Airlfow/Climate Control
WiFi Thermostat: $20-$30
Smart Thermostat: $75
Air Insulation & Sealing: Up to $650, must be through approved contractors
Appliance Recycling: $50
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative - Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Program
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative - Residential Rebate Program
Geothermal Systems (Replacement Systems): $600
Dual Fuel Heating Systems (New Installations): $600
Dual Fuel Heating Systems (Replacements): $300
Air Source Heat Pump Systems (New and Replacements): $300
Insulation: maximum of $800 or 50% of project cost (whichever is lower)
Air Sealing: maximum of $400 or 50% of project cost (whichever is lower)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is in place to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. 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 Ohio government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Fairfield utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value added by your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of a solar system and 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.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives may be available to you if the solar system on your home produces more than a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are typically 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.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a certain percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Initially, the credit applied to 30% of the total cost — for panels, labor, accessories and equipment — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Talking to your local Fairfield solar panel installation expert is the best way to understand how the ITC may apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Homeowners can now apply for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until its expiration. 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. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, reach out to your local Fairfield solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more can be provided at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives might be offered by the Ohio government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Fairfield
There are a number of different solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the Ohio government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased enormously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. If you're prepared to make the switch to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Fairfield solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
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 Fairfield, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Ohio government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Fairfield solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
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 your system was installed between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Talking to the company that installed your solar system, or any local Fairfield solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you might want to apply for.
How much will solar panels save me annually on my electric bill in Fairfield?
Typically, homeowners in Fairfield who install solar panels save around $800.39 per year, or around $15,207.48 over 20 years after making the switch.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any incentives I can claim?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Be sure to talk through your plan with your local Fairfield solar installer. They can help you with the plan for your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that 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.