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

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

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

The term "solar incentives" generally refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the use of renewable energy by making the installation and use of solar panels more affordable. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are handled by the Ohio government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

• Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the value added by your solar system when paying property tax on your home.
• Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. If you receive a rebate, that amount will usually come off your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
• Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for money that typically becomes part of your taxable income. In most cases, a certain (small) threshold of energy production must be met before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are normally handled at the state level.
• Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the government.
• Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement in place with your Tuscarawas utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other places you may be refunded a percentage of the value.

Federal Solar Incentives

When thinking about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC provides you with a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, equipment, labor and accessories. This credit can be claimed on solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although the amount you can claim may range between 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.

Your local Tuscarawas solar panel installer can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it applies to your situation.

The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. For solar systems installed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Tuscarawas solar panel installation experts can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. These solar incentives — which might be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Ohio — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Tuscarawas

You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the Ohio government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. The increased availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. When you're prepared to switch over to solar energy, calling your local Tuscarawas solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.