2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Bedford, TX - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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

Solar incentives are designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. Different kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be provided via the Texas government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

• Rebates: Solar companies may help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. If you receive a rebate, that amount will usually come off your total price before tax credits are calculated.
• Tax Exemptions: Your solar panel system could qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to ignore the value that solar panels add when calculating property taxes on your house.
• Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Bedford utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. They will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
• Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in how much in taxes you owe the government.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely the first thing that you think of when thinking about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a set percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC applies 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 amount you can claim.

Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Bedford solar panel installer to get more information.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit re-raises the credit up to 30% for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. At this point, the credit percentage will see a slight decrease annually until the program expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to claim credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local Bedford 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

There are often state solar incentives available in addition to federal ones. Tax credits, rebates and more might be available at a more local level. Certain incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Your local solar incentives could come from the Texas government, or from your specific county or municipality.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Bedford

Nationwide solar energy use has increased enormously in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the growth in the number of solar incentives. You may get these incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Texas government. Talking to your local Bedford solar panel installation company is the right first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.