2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Rockingham, VT - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Rockingham.
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 Rockingham solar installers to see how much you can save.
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Rockingham?
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/
The term "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives implemented by the government and by solar companies to encourage the use of renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. These incentives can include upfront discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the state of Vermont and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Rockingham utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are effective at the point of sale for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value added by your solar system when you're calculating the amount of property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the government.
- Rebates: Some solar companies will help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar panels. Counties or states will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. The value of a rebate will usually be deducted from the total price before tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most familiar with is probably the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC can be applied to 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 owned by you for you to claim the credit. Initially, the ITC applied to 30% of all system costs (panels, labor, accessories and equipment), although this 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 claim amount.
To understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, speak with your local Rockingham solar panel installation expert.
The ITC has been renewed and expanded following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. The Clean Energy Credit lasts until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit; this amount will decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the end of the current program. The expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Rockingham solar panel installation experts can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Rebates, tax credits and more can be provided at multiple levels. Along with federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. Incentives may be offered by the state of Vermont, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Rockingham
The variety of solar incentives available has enormously increased the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the Vermont government or the federal government. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Rockingham solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Rockingham, VT Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
Typically, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar system
- installed on a 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, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Rockingham solar installer to find out what incentives your project may qualify for.
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 reach out to a local Rockingham solar installer — to clarify which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were 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%.
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 Rockingham's top solar panel companies.
What are the environmental benefits of switching to solar energy?
You can lower your carbon footprint by 200 pounds of CO2 a year by installing solar panels. This adds up to around 4,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, meaning that switching your home over reduces the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I claim incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
Yes, you can receive both tax credits and rebates towards the cost of your solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming incentives correctly and getting the most money you can.
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.