2024 Solar Incentives Guide for New Albany, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in New Albany.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in New Albany?
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 encourage people to switch to renewable energy by providing financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You may be eligible for various types of incentives, including 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 Ohio government and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the federal government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you have in place a net metering agreement with your New Albany utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you might receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce over a threshold (normally small) amount of electricity will qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are typically offered at the state level. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and this is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value added by your solar system when calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a specified percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, accessories and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.
Wondering how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Reach out to your local New Albany solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit equal to 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local New Albany solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. As with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. Incentives might be given by the state of Ohio, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in New Albany
There are many kinds of solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the federal government and those offered by the Ohio government, to name a few. Solar energy use has grown enormously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. Your local New Albany solar panel installer can provide you with more details about which incentives you can apply for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's New Albany, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
In most cases, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those given out by the Ohio government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Talk to your local New Albany solar installer to discover what incentives your project may qualify for.
My home already has solar panels. Do I qualify for any 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 the company that installed your solar system, or any local New Albany solar installer, can help you learn what incentives you can apply for.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to the best solar companies in New Albany.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by switching where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. A solar system can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 450 pounds yearly, or around 9,000 pounds in 20 years.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order your incentives will be applied in may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Get in touch with your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all possible incentives 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.