2023 Solar Incentives Guide for North Lebanon, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in North Lebanon.
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 May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in North Lebanon?
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" 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. These incentives might include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Pennsylvania and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that your solar panels add when calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and similar performance-based incentives might be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (typically small) amount of electricity. This category of incentives is generally handled at the state level. You can sell your SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is typically considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your North Lebanon utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are normally given before any solar tax credits are calculated. Rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
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. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a predetermined percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, accessories, labor and equipment. You can claim this credit for 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 certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.
To more fully understand how the ITC could apply to your situation, speak to your local North Lebanon solar panel installer and request more information.
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. Homeowners can now receive a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed before the end of 2032. The credit percentage will then decrease yearly until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, reach out to your local North Lebanon solar installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. Like with federal incentives, these might include tax credits, rebates and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. Incentives might be given by your county or municipality, or by the Pennsylvania government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in North Lebanon
There are a number of different solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the federal government and those given 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. We recommend talking to your local North Lebanon solar installation company for more information about these incentives and to ensure that you're getting the largest number possible for your solar panels.
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EcoWatch's North Lebanon, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives will apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the specifics.
How do I learn if I qualify for different solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local North Lebanon solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, like those provided at the level of the Pennsylvania government, may have other requirements.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to the top solar companies in North Lebanon.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my home?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 250 pounds of CO2 a year when you install solar panels. This adds up to around 5,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss your plan with your local North Lebanon solar installation expert, to make sure you know what you'll need and what types of incentives you will or won't 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.