2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Berea, SC - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Berea.

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 Berea solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Berea?

Duke Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Central Air Conditioning or Heat Pump: $300 - $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400 + $50 with added smart thermostat
Heat Pump Water Heater: $350
Attic Insulation or Attic Air Sealing: $250
Duct Sealing: $100
Variable-Speed Pool Pumps: $300

Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Santee Cooper - Rooftop Solar Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential and Commercial: $1.05/W
Non-Profit: $1.30/W

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Corporate)

Incentive Type:
Corporate Tax Credit
25% of eligible costs

Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Personal)

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
25% of eligible costs

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative - Heat Pump Loan Program

Incentive Type:
Loan Program
Homes:
One heat pump: up to $10,000
Two or more heat pumps: up to $15,000
One geothermal heat pump: up to $10,000

Mobile home
One heat pump up to $8,000

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy by offering financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. Solar incentives can include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered by the federal government, some by the South Carolina government and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:

  • Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the government. Tax credits differ from tax deductions.
  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Berea 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 others you might make back a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that your solar panels add when calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay.
  • Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund credited to your account after you've paid for your solar panels. These might 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.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about solar incentives. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, accessories and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. The tax credit ranges from 26-30% of total costs depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

Reaching out to your local Berea solar panel installer is the best way to understand how the ITC applies to you.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit bolsters the current credit, increasing it up to 30% for solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032. At this point, the credit percentage will decrease slightly each year until the program expires in 2035. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Berea solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are not your only option; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the state and local level. Some incentives are ongoing, while others might only be available for a limited time. They might be offered by your county or municipality, or by the South Carolina government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Berea

The large number of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the use of solar power nationwide over the last 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the South Carolina government or the federal government. Talking to your local Berea solar panel installation company is the best first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Outstanding Regional Installer

Renu Energy Solutions

★★★★★
4.5

  • Excellent reputation
  • Many financing options
  • Representatives are experts on local policies
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Berea, SC Solar Incentives FAQs

My home already has solar panels installed. Does my system qualify for any incentives?

If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If your system was installed 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 Berea solar installer, can help you learn more about what incentives you might want to apply for.

What are the highest-rated solar panel installation companies near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to Berea's top solar panel companies.

Can I apply for incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

Yes, you can receive both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are receiving, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm that you are claiming the correct incentives and that you're getting the most money you can.

Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?

You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Make sure you talk through your plan with your local Berea solar installer. They can help you plan your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that you might or might 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.

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