2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Greenville, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Greenville.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Greenville?
Hamilton County - Home Improvement Program
Local Option - Special Energy Improvement Districts
Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Program (SRECs)
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy by offering incentives that lower the financial 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 by the federal government, while others are provided by the Ohio government or by your utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the government.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system might qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Net Metering: Don't forget to speak with your Greenville 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 generated by your solar panels. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar other performance-based incentives might be available to you if your solar system produces more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is typically handled at the state level. 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.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be provided by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates work as partial refunds that are applied after you pay for solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you likely think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a set percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the cost of installing a solar system, and has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, accessories and labor. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC applies to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006, on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.
Your local Greenville solar panel installation expert can offer more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.
In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Under the new program, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. The program expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Greenville solar panel installation experts can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.
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. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. These incentives may be provided by the Ohio government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Greenville
Solar incentives can be offered by the Ohio government, the federal government or your local utility company. The variety of available incentives has contributed to a large increase in solar energy use in the last 15 years. Reaching out to your local Greenville solar panel installer is the right first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Greenville, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I learn if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property 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, may have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Greenville solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I add solar panels to my house in Greenville?
Typically, Greenville homeowners who install solar panels save about $736.05 per year, or approximately $13,984.96 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year by installing solar panels. This adds up to roughly 9,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming the correct incentives and getting the most money you can.
Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to go over your ideas with your local Greenville solar installer. They can help you as you plan for your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that 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.