2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Spartanburg, SC - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Spartanburg.
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 Spartanburg?
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)
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. These financial incentives are designed to encourage more homeowners to switch their home over to renewable energy. Various types of incentives, like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Certain incentives may be handled by the state of South Carolina, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you exclude the value of your solar system when calculating the taxes you pay on your house. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Rebates: Your solar installer might help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar panels. States or counties will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. The value of a rebate will usually come off your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: Don't forget to talk with your Spartanburg utility company about signing a net metering contract. This will allow you to receive credit towards your utility bill every month for the value of excess energy generated by your solar panels. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.
The ITC can be applied to 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, labor, equipment and accessories. You can receive this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence in the United States that you own. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum claim amount.
To best understand how the ITC will apply to you, reach out to your local Spartanburg solar panel installation expert and request more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now qualify for a credit equal to 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 begin to decrease yearly until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems under this new program.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Spartanburg solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more can be provided at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are offered for only a limited time. Local solar incentives might come from your county or municipality, or from the South Carolina government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Spartanburg
There are a number of different solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the federal government and those provided by the South Carolina government, to name a few. The use of solar energy has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. When you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, calling your local Spartanburg solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Spartanburg, SC Solar Incentives FAQs
I already have solar panels. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
An excellent idea would be to talk to someone from the company that installed your system – or call a local Spartanburg solar installer — to clarify which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently 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%.
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 the top solar companies in Spartanburg.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now titled the Clean Energy Credit, is slated to end on January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can get?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
What if I add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Can I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives will apply to a second home, so long as that home is in the United States and owned by you. There may be other incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the specifics.
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