2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Franconia, VA - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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 Franconia solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 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 Franconia?

Income Tax Deduction for Energy-Efficient Products

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Deduction
20% of the sales tax paid by an individual

Local Option- Renewable Energy Machinery and Tools Property Tax Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Depends on the local governing body

Local Option - Residential Property Tax Exemption for Solar

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies (local option)

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 meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. Financial incentives like these are designed to encourage more Americans to switch their home over to renewable energy. Incentives may include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are handled federally, while others are provided by the state of Virginia or your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:

  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): Typically, solar systems that produce over a threshold (normally small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically offered by your state government. When you receive an SREC, you can sell it to your utility company or another buyer, and the money you receive is normally considered part of your taxable income.
  • Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are usually applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates can be given by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
  • Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering contract with your Franconia utility company that will apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. Your utility company will then deduct this value from your monthly utility bill.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)

Federal Solar Incentives

When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. The solar incentive that you may be most familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed after January 1, 2006 on a property you own for you to be eligible for the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all system costs (panels, equipment, accessories and labor), although the covered amount has fluctuated over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.

Your local Franconia solar panel installer can offer more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Any solar installation project that is completed between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current program. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to obtain credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to get in touch with your local Franconia solar panel installation expert.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives are often also provided at the state and local level. Similar to federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives may be handled by the Virginia government, or by your county or municipality. Some incentives may be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Franconia

You can apply for solar incentives from the federal government and the Virginia government, as well as from your local utility company. Growing availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. When you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, talking to your local Franconia solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.

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 (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Franconia, VA Solar Incentives FAQs

What if I want to add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Do I still qualify for incentives?

Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property located within the United States that you own; most secondary residences fall into this category. There may be other solar incentives available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.

How do I know if I qualify for different solar incentives?

It's best to speak with your local Franconia solar installer for a better understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar panel systems installed on property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those offered by the government of Virginia, might have other requirements.

If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?

An excellent idea would be to talk to the company that installed your system — or speak to a local Franconia solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may 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. Systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.

How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?

The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), currently ends on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.

Can I use multiple types of renewable energy 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. Be sure to talk through your ideas with your local Franconia solar installation expert. They can help you with the plan for your project and also help you understand the various incentives that you will or won't 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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