2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Washington Court House, OH - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Washington Court House.
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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Washington Court House?
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 intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. 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. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels 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 exclude the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar system. These may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The discount that rebates offer is normally applied to the price of solar panels before calculating tax credits.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other similar performance-based incentives are normally handled by your state government. Once your solar system meets the threshold (generally a small amount of energy production), you can receive SRECs that can then be sold to your utility company or other buyers. The money you make from the sale is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Washington Court House utility company, they will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives may be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC was originally for 30% of the total cost of installing a solar system, although that number 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 equipment, labor and accessories. 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.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Contact your local Washington Court House solar panel installer to get more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount will be decreased slightly each year until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Washington Court House solar panel installer can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Your local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Ohio government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Washington Court House
Solar energy use nationwide has gone up tremendously in the last 15 years, in part due to the proliferation of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Ohio government. Speaking with your local Washington Court House solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Washington Court House, OH Solar Incentives FAQs
I already have solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?
You should plan to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar system — or call a local Washington Court House solar installer — to clarify 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 systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Washington Court House home?
When you add solar panels to your house in Washington Court House, you can expect to save about $713.91 per year, or about $13,564.21 over 20 years.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 a year by switching to solar panels. This adds up to roughly 9,000 pounds over 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, formerly known as the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is set to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
Can I apply for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied may vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Talk with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure 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.