2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Jackson, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Jackson.
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 September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Jackson?
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/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers to a range of financial incentives put in place to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Solar incentives might include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Ohio and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which would allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when calculating the taxes you pay on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually be deducted from the total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In most cases, solar systems that produce over a specific (normally small) amount of electricity will qualify for SRECs or other similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically given at the state level. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and generally the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Net Metering: Make sure you speak to your Jackson utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This allows you to receive credit towards your monthly utility bill 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.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
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- Excellent reputation
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Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. One of the incentives that most people are probably familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC was originally for 30% of the total cost of solar system installation, although it has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of accessories, equipment and labor. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
To know exactly how much money the ITC could save you, speak with your local Jackson solar panel installer.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will then decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. The expansion to the program also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Jackson solar panel installation expert is the best person to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more can be provided at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives may be offered by the Ohio government, or by your county or municipality. Some are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Jackson
Solar incentives may be provided by your local utlity company, the Ohio government or the federal government. The large number of incentives available has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Call your local solar panel installation expert today to discover more about the various programs and to save the most money possible on solar panels for your Jackson home.
EcoWatch's Jackson, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property 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 apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the specifics.
If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your system — or call a local Jackson solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to around 9,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
I want to switch my appliances out for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can claim?
With the passage of the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are several new financial incentives for making 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 qualify for incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in could vary depending on which incentives you receive but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to make sure you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible for and applying them in the correct order.
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.