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

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

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 Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro?

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 designed to make renewable energy usage more affordable via financial incentives for individuals who install solar panels on their homes. You might qualify for several types of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Virginia and others from the federal government. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Net Metering: You may be able to sign a net metering agreement with your Waynesboro utility company. This agreement may apply to all or a percentage of the excess electricity that is generated by your solar panels. They will then subtract this value from your monthly utility bill.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that is generally considered part of your taxable income. In most cases, there is a small threshold of energy production to meet before your solar system is eligible for SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. These kinds of incentives are typically handled by your state government.
  • 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: Tax exemptions may come in two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, which is applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption. This allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when calculating property tax for your home.
  • Rebates: Solar companies may 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. If you receive a rebate, that amount will usually come off your total price before any tax credits are calculated.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal incentives are the kind of incentives that you are most likely to have heard of. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC allows you to claim a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC initially applied to 30% of the total cost of solar panel installation, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, equipment and accessories. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.

Your local Waynesboro solar panel installation expert can give you more information about the ITC and how it might apply to your situation.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit. The new Clean Energy Credit now runs until 2035. You are now eligible for a 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. The credit will then see a slight annual decrease until it expires. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Waynesboro solar panel installers are the best people to answer your questions about the new Clean Energy Credit and how it may apply to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Tax credits, rebates and more can be provided at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time. They might be given by your county or municipality, or by the Virginia government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Waynesboro

There are a variety of solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the federal government and those given by the Virginia government, to name a few. Solar energy use has increased enormously in the last 15 years, partially due to these incentives. Speaking with your local Waynesboro solar panel installation company is a great first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

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 Waynesboro, VA Solar Incentives FAQs

Can I receive any incentives when I add solar panels to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property?

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. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend getting in touch with your local solar installer and/or tax professional to better understand what incentives may apply to your specific situation.

How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my house in Waynesboro?

After adding solar panels to your house in Waynesboro, you can anticipate savings of approximately $895.26 per year, or approximately $17,009.95 over 20 years.

What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?

To find the best solar panel installer in your area, check out our guide to Waynesboro's best solar panel companies.

If I switch my appliances out for ones that use solar energy, are there benefits that I can claim?

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides a number of incentives designed to reward homeowners for making eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include tax credits and rebates for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Can I receive incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you are eligible for but usually yes, you can claim multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible for and applying them in the correct order.

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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