2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Peters, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Peters.
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 Peters?
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
Duquesne Light Company - Residential Energy Efficiency Program
Central A/C / Heat Pumps: $100/ton
ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Solar Water Heater: $300
Ceiling/Floor/Wall Insulation: $0.23/square foot
ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifier: $20
ENERGY STAR Certified Refrigerator: $25
ENERGY STAR Certified Freezer: $10
ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioner: $25
ENERGY STAR Variable Speed Pool Pump: $200
Occupancy Sensor Based Control: $10
Smart Strip Surge Protector: $5
Furnace with High Efficiency Fan Motor: $100
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $100
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $35
Duquesne Light Company - Residential Solar Water Heating 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/
Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable through financial incentives for those who install solar panels on their homes. The incentives may include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the state of Pennsylvania and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Peters 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 others you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other similar performance-based incentives are usually handled by your state government. Once your solar panel system meets the qualification threshold (typically 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 usually considered part of your taxable income.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Solar rebates can be provided by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These differ from tax deductions.
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Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is 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 was originally for 30% of the cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
To know exactly how much the ITC could save you, speak with your local Peters solar panel installer.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit runs until 2035. Solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount will be decreased slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, talk to your local Peters solar installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. Like with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives — which may be handled by the state of Pennsylvania, or by your county or municipality — may be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Peters
Nationwide solar energy use has gone up tremendously in the last 15 years, in part thanks to the proliferation of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the federal government, the Pennsylvania government or your local utility company. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, reaching out to your local Peters solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Peters, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I want to add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the details.
How do I know if I qualify for solar incentives?
It's best to speak with your local Peters solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Generally, 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, such as those provided at the level of the Pennsylvania government, may have other requirements.
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my Peters home?
After adding solar panels to your Peters home, you can expect to save approximately $681.53 per year, or approximately $12,949.07 over 20 years.
What are the highest-rated solar panel installation companies near me?
To discover the best solar panel installers near you, take a look at our article on the top solar companies in Peters.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can use multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and wind power. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss the details of your plan with your local Peters solar installation expert, to make sure you know what you'll need and what kinds 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.