2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Essex Junction, VT - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Essex Junction.
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 Essex Junction solar installers to see how much you can save.
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Updated September 15, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Essex Junction?
Local Option - Property Assessed Clean Energy
Standard Offer Program
Local Option - Property Tax Exemption
Uniform Capacity Tax and Exemption for Solar
Uniform $4.00/kilowatt property tax payment for systems 50 kW and greater
Renewable Energy Systems Sales Tax Exemption
Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Emerging Tech Window ACs (only for window ACs that meet ENERGY STAR's 2019 Emerging Tech Award Criteria): $200
Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System: Up to $500 off at time of purchase
Clothes Dryers: $200 or $400
Dehumidifiers: Up to $40
Heat Pump Water Heaters: Up to $600
Swimming pool pumps: $250 or $500
Lighting: Reduced prices at participating retailers
Horticultural Lighting Fixtures for Indoor Growing: $100
Smart Thermostats: Up to $100
Home Performance with Energy Star: Up to $2,000
Vermont Gas - Residential Energy Efficiency Program
Combination Furnace: $800
Hot Water Boilers: $600-$800
Combination Boilers: $900-$1,100
Direct Vent Space Heater: $200
Water Heaters: $200
Tankless Water Heaters: $300-$500
Indirect Water Heater: $100
Drain Water Heat Recovery: $300
Solar Hot Water: $950
Solar Furnace: $200
Residential Heating Systems Rebate Program
Central Wood Pellet Furnaces and Boilers: $2,000 rebate
Furnaces and Boilers: $250 rebate
Cold Climate Heat Pumps: $600 - $800 discount
High Performance Circulator Pumps: $15 - $50 discount
Small-Scale Renewable Energy Incentive Program
Residential: $0.40/kWh/yr
Commercial: $0.40/kWh/yr
Special Category: $0.80/kWh/yr
Advanced Wood Pellet Heating:
Flat Incentive: $3,000
Custom Incentive: $1.25/sq-ft; $10.00/MBH thermal storage tank adder
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home. This category of financial incentives is in place to encourage more Americans to make the switch to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, might be available to you. Some incentives may be provided via the Vermont government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system might qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that solar panels add when you are calculating property taxes on your house.
- Rebates: Solar rebates may be provided by your county or state, or by your local utility company. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you pay for a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your Essex Junction utility company, that 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 utility bill each month.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
Best Technology
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Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. One of the incentives many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive is a tax credit for a specified percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 and under this program you can deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, equipment and accessories. You can receive this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum claim amount.
Reaching out to your local Essex Junction solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC may apply to you.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act made revisions to the ITC, now dubbed the Clean Energy Credit. Now, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 may be eligible for a 30% tax credit. The amount of the credit will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to get credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Essex Junction solar panel installation experts 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. As with federal incentives, these might include rebates, tax credits and more. These incentives may be distributed by your county or municipality, or by the Vermont government. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Essex Junction
There are a number of different solar incentives: those offered by local utility companies, those offered by the Vermont government and those offered by the federal government, to name a few. Solar energy utilization has grown enormously in the last 15 years, thanks to these incentives. We suggest talking to your local Essex Junction solar installer for more information about these incentives and to make sure that you're getting the most money possible for your solar system.
EcoWatch's Essex Junction, VT Solar Incentives FAQs
Can I get any financial incentives when I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property?
Many solar incentives apply to a property you own that is located within the United States; most secondary residences will fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.
How do I learn if I qualify for solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- between the dates specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the Vermont government or by your county/municipality, may have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Essex Junction solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project will qualify for.
How much will a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Essex Junction?
Generally, homeowners in Essex Junction who install solar panels save around $1,235.48 per year, or around $23,474.11 over 20 years after they make the switch.
What are the best solar panel installation companies near me?
To learn about the top solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on Essex Junction's top solar panel companies.
Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?
Yes, you can employ multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of solar and wind power. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a non-renewable backup source of energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Essex Junction solar panel installer, to make sure you know what you'll need and what incentives 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.