2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Manchester, VA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Manchester.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Manchester?
Income Tax Deduction for Energy-Efficient Products
Local Option- Renewable Energy Machinery and Tools Property Tax Exemption
Local Option - Residential Property Tax Exemption for Solar
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The phrase "solar incentives" refers broadly to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage increased use of renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Incentives can include things like discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are offered federally, while others are provided by the state of Virginia or your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Manchester utility company, that may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity your solar panels generate. They will then subtract this value from your utility bill each month.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): In general, solar systems that produce more than a specified (generally small) amount of electricity qualify for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. SRECs and performance-based incentives in general are typically offered at the state level. You can sell SRECs to your utility company or another buyer, and the money you receive is normally considered part of your taxable income.
- Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which allow you to ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Rebates: Some solar companies will help you claim a rebate, or partial refund after purchase, for your solar system. Counties or states 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.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be credited towards the value of a solar system installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system has to have been installed after January 1, 2006, on a property owned by you for you to claim the credit. The ITC originally paid out 30% of all installation costs (panels, accessories, labor and equipment), although the covered amount has fluctuated over the years 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.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Reach out to your local Manchester solar panel installer to get more information.
In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. For solar system installations that begin after January 1, 2022, and are completed by the end of 2032, homeowners can receive a credit for 30% of the total cost. This percentage will decrease annually after 2032 until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. Starting in 2023, the program expansion will also make credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The best way to fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to reach out to your local Manchester solar panel installation expert with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Rebates, tax credits and more may be available at a more local level. These solar incentives — which might be handled by the state of Virginia, or by your county or municipality — could be offered for only a limited time, or on an ongoing basis.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Manchester
The expanding number of available solar incentives has enormously increased the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the past 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from your local utility company, the Virginia government or the federal government. We recommend talking to your local Manchester solar installation company to learn more about these incentives and to be sure that you're getting all the money you can for your solar panels.
EcoWatch's Manchester, VA Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for different solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Virginia government or by your county/municipality, could have additional qualifications. Speak with your local Manchester solar installer to discover what incentives your project will qualify for.
How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in Manchester annually?
After adding solar panels to your house in Manchester, you can expect to save approximately $493.95 per year, or about $9,879.00 over 20 years.
What are some environmental benefits of installing solar panels on my home?
Solar energy is renewable — by changing where you get your energy, you can help reduce the strain on our planet's resources. You can also lower your home's CO2 emissions by 100 pounds a year, or roughly 2,000 pounds over 20 years.
Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can claim both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money possible.
What if I am planning to add a solar system to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to best understand what solar incentives apply to you, many incentives apply to a second home, as long as it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, 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.