2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Salem Heights, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Salem Heights?

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/

The phrase "solar incentives" generally refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage people to use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or credit on your utility bill each month. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are offered by the state of Ohio or by your utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

• Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives may be available to you if you have a solar system that produces more than a specified (usually small) amount of electricity. Performance-based 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 normally considered part of your taxable income.
• Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
• Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
• 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.
• Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Salem Heights utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some places, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in others you may make back a percentage of the value.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC was originally for 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation, and 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 cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of accessories, equipment and labor. There is no maximum amount you can claim. 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 the ITC could save you, get in touch with your local Salem Heights solar panel installer.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. With the new provisions, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032 may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then see a slight annual decrease until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The expansion to the program also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, beginning in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you is to get in touch with your local Salem Heights solar panel company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are more than just federal solar incentives; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the state and local level. Incentives may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Ohio. Some incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Salem Heights

You can receive solar incentives from the federal government and the Ohio government, as well as from your local utility company. This increase in availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase solar adoption nationwide. We suggest talking to your local Salem Heights solar installation expert to learn more about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar system.