2023 Solar Incentives Guide for University Of Virginia, VA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in University Of Virginia.
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.
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Updated May 04, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in University Of Virginia?
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 to a range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. These incentives could include upfront discounts, cash back or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are given by the federal government, some by the Virginia government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Net Metering: Don't forget to talk with your University Of Virginia utility company about signing a net metering agreement. This will allow you to receive credit towards your monthly utility bill for the value of excess energy your solar panels generate. You might receive either a dollar-for-dollar credit or a percentage of the value.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that typically becomes part of your taxable income. In most cases, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system qualifies for SRECs or other performance-based incentives. Incentives like these are typically handled at the state level.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar panels. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the added value of your solar system when you calculate the amount of property tax you need to pay on your house.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates may be provided by your local utility company, by your state or by your county.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some knowledge of. It's likely that you've 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 solar panels for your home.
The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Initially, the credit applied to 30% of the total cost — for panels, equipment, labor and accessories — although the percentage may range from 26-30%, depending on when your solar project was undertaken. There is no cap on the claim amount.
Contacting your local University Of Virginia solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as retitling it the Clean Energy Credit). The new Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. American homeowners are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems that began installation on or after January 1, 2022 and will be done by December 31, 2032. The total credit will then be decreased by a few percentage points every year until it expires. The expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local University Of Virginia solar panel company can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. Similar to federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. The incentives — which may be provided 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 University Of Virginia
The variety of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the past 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from the Virginia government, the federal government or your local utility company. If you're ready to switch over to solar energy, calling your local University Of Virginia solar panel installation expert is a great first step.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's University Of Virginia, VA Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for certain solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local University Of Virginia solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project will qualify for. Generally, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) between the dates specified by the incentive. Some incentives, such as those provided by the Virginia government, may have other requirements.
My home already has solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to a representative from the company that installed your solar panels — or get in touch with a local University Of Virginia 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 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 top solar panel installation companies near me?
To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to University Of Virginia's top solar panel companies.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 annually when you install solar panels. This adds up to approximately 9,000 pounds in 20 years. Solar is also a renewable energy source, which means that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named 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.
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.