2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Upper Moreland, PA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Upper Moreland.
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 Upper Moreland solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Upper Moreland?
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/
Solar incentives are intended to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Various types of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, might be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the Pennsylvania government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Upper Moreland utility company, they 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 might make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are normally given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates might be offered by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
- Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs and other performance-based incentives might be available to you if your solar system produces over a specified (generally small) amount of electricity. Performance-based incentives are typically handled at the state level. You can sell your SRECs to your utility company or other buyers, and the money you make is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a specified percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the cost of solar system installation, and has fluctuated slightly over the last few years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, accessories and equipment. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
To best understand how the ITC will apply to your situation, speak to your local Upper Moreland solar panel installation expert and request more information.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar installations undertaken between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032. After this, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you is to get in touch with your local Upper Moreland solar panel company.
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. Incentives might be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of Pennsylvania. Certain incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Upper Moreland
There are a number of different solar incentives: those provided by local utility companies, those provided by the Pennsylvania government and those provided by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has increased tremendously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. Talking to your local Upper Moreland solar panel installation expert is a great first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Upper Moreland, PA Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I claim incentives for adding solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences will fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
My home already has solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar system — or speak to a local Upper Moreland solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my house in Upper Moreland?
Once you add solar panels to your Upper Moreland home, you can expect to save around $809.23 per year, or around $15,375.40 over 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to Upper Moreland's top solar panel companies.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The Clean Energy Credit (previously called the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), is slated to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
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.