2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Parker, SC - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Parker.
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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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Parker?
Duke Energy (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
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
Santee Cooper - Rooftop Solar Rebate Program
Non-Profit: $1.30/W
Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Corporate)
Solar Energy, Small Hydropower, and Geothermal Tax Credit (Personal)
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative - Heat Pump Loan Program
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
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" covers a wide range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You may qualify for various types of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the South Carolina government and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Parker 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 receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be provided by your local utility company, or by your county or state. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
- Tax Exemptions: These might come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value of your solar system when paying taxes on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
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
When thinking about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. 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.
To better understand how the ITC may apply to you, call your local Parker solar panel installer and request more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, added more provisions to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Under the new program, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032, might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Beginning in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit might apply to you, get in touch with your local Parker solar installers.
State & Local Solar Incentives
In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often also state ones. Rebates, tax credits and more may be available at a more local level. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. These local incentives might come from the South Carolina government, or from your specific county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Parker
Solar incentives might be provided by the South Carolina government, the federal government or your local utility company. The large number of available solar incentives has facilitated the nationwide growth of solar energy use in the last 15 years. Talking to your local Parker solar panel installer is an excellent first step towards getting all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
EcoWatch's Parker, SC Solar Incentives FAQs
If my house already has solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
An excellent idea would be to talk to the company that installed your system – or call a local Parker solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To learn about the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on the best solar companies in Parker.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
You can decrease your carbon footprint by 300 pounds of CO2 annually by installing solar panels. This adds up to roughly 6,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that making the switch reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
What if I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend speaking with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available for commercial properties specifically, depending on the specifics.
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.