2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Lower Makefield, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Lower Makefield.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 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 February 03, 2024
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Lower Makefield?
High Performance Buildings Incentive Program
Commercial loans/loan guarantees: $2 million
Grants: Lesser of 10% of project costs or $500,000
Solar Alternative Energy Credits
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
High Performance Building Incentives Program
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 to help people install solar panels on their homes. Solar incentives can include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the Pennsylvania government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the total amount of tax you owe the government. These are different from tax deductions.
- Net Metering: Be sure to speak with your Lower Makefield utility company about signing a net metering contract. This will allow you to receive credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You may receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied when you purchase solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
- Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar system. States or counties will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually come off your total price before tax credits are calculated.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar other performance-based incentives might be available to you if you have a solar system that produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is normally handled by the state government. You can sell the SRECs you receive to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is typically considered part of your taxable income.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. 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 percentage of the cost of 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. Initially, the credit applied to 30% of the total cost – for panels, labor, equipment and accessories – although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Contacting your local Lower Makefield solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners may be eligible for a credit for 30% of the total cost. After 2033, the percentage will decrease annually until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Lower Makefield solar panel installer can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit may apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more might be claimed at multiple levels. Along with federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. Incentives may be provided by your county or municipality, or by the state of Pennsylvania. Some incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Lower Makefield
The expanding number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the use of solar power nationwide over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Pennsylvania government. Your local Lower Makefield solar panel installation company can provide you with more details about which incentives you can apply for, and get you started on the path to switching to renewable energy today.
EcoWatch's Lower Makefield, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
I already have solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you installed your system between 2006 and 2021, you might qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local Lower Makefield solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you can apply for.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Lower Makefield home?
Generally, Lower Makefield homeowners who install solar panels save around $809.47 per year, or about $15,379.89 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my house?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 annually when you install 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 lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize 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. Make sure that you discuss your plan with your local Lower Makefield solar installation expert, 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.