2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Harleysville, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Harleysville.
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.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Harleysville solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Harleysville?
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" includes a range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Different types of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be offered by the Pennsylvania government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: These might come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your house. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much income tax you owe the federal government.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives might be available to you if your solar system produces more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. These types of incentives are usually handled at the state level. You can sell any SRECs you have to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you receive in return is usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund after the purchase of your solar panels. These could be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Harleysville utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may make back a percentage of the value.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. Originally, the tax credit was for 30% of the total cost — for panels, accessories, labor and equipment — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To understand exactly how much money the ITC could save you, talk to your local Harleysville solar panel installer.
In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. Homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation after January 1, 2022 and are completed by the end of 2032. This credit will then see a slight annual decrease until it expires. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to talk with your local Harleysville solar panel installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives — which may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Pennsylvania — might be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Harleysville
The expanding number of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from the federal government, the Pennsylvania government or from your local utility company. Reach out to your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save the most money possible on a solar system for your Harleysville home.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
EcoWatch's Harleysville, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives apply to a property located within the United States that you own; most secondary residences will fall under this distinction. 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 will apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Harleysville solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those provided by the Pennsylvania government, might have additional requirements.
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Harleysville?
Once you add solar panels to your home in Harleysville, you can anticipate savings of about $773.78 per year, or about $14,701.78 over the next 20 years.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 250 pounds a year, or around 5,000 pounds in 20 years.
Can I use a combination of multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and wind power. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Harleysville solar panel installer, to make sure you know what you'll need and what kinds of incentives you may or may not qualify for.
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.