2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Elizabethtown, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Elizabethtown.
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 Elizabethtown?
High Performance Buildings Incentive Program
Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million
Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000
Wind and Geothermal Incentives Program
Manufacturer grants: $5,000 per job created within 3 years
Loans for geothermal systems: $3 per square foot of space served up to $5 million; also limited to 50% of eligible costs for residential systems.
Loans for wind energy production projects: $5 million
Grants for wind energy production projects: $1 million
Grants for feasibility studies: 50% of cost up to $175,000
Loan guarantee grants: Up to 75% of deficient funds up to $5 million
Solar Alternative Energy Credits
High Performance Building Incentives Program
First Energy (MetEdison, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power) - Residential Solar Water Heating Program
FirstEnergy (MetEdison, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power) - Residential Energy Efficiency Programs
Refrigerator: $75
Clothes Washer: $25- $50
Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezers: $25
Dehumidifiers: $25
Fridge/Freezer Recycling: $50
HVAC
HVAC tune up: $50
Furnace Fan Motor: $150
Ductless Minisplit AC : $200
Central AC: $100 - $200
Air Source Heat pump: $250 - $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $600
Packaged Terminal AC: $75
Packaged Terminal Heat Pump: $150
Programmable Thermostat: $25
Others
Solar Water Heat: $500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Home Energy Audit: $250
Lighting: Available as in-store discount in participating stores
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" generally refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage increased use of renewable energy by making the installation and use of solar panels more affordable. You may be eligible for different kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Pennsylvania government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives are usually handled by your state government. Once your solar system meets the threshold (usually a small amount of energy production), you can receive SRECs that can be sold to your utility company or other buyers. The money you receive from the sale is generally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Elizabethtown utility company, that may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. Your utility company will then deduct this value from your utility bill each month.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be provided by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
- 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 exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
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Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a predetermined percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, labor and accessories — although it may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Elizabethtown solar panel installation expert to get more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit has increased the current credit up to 30% for solar installations undertaken between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. After 2032, the percentage will be reduced slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, beginning in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To better understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, speak with your local Elizabethtown solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often state solar incentives available in addition to federal ones. Tax credits, rebates and more can be offered at a more local level. These incentives — which may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Pennsylvania — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Elizabethtown
There are many kinds of solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the federal government and those offered by the Pennsylvania government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. Your local Elizabethtown solar panel installation expert can give you more information about which incentives you may qualify for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Elizabethtown, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.
How can I find out if I qualify for solar incentives?
Broadly, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Pennsylvania government or by your county/municipality, sometimes have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Elizabethtown solar installer to find out what incentives your project will qualify for.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually by switching to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 5,000 pounds over 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are claiming, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're getting the most money you can.
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.