2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Westminster, VT - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Westminster.
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 March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Westminster?
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 encourage people to make the switch to renewable energy by offering incentives that lower the financial burden of solar panel installation and use. These incentives could include cash back, upfront discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill. Some incentives are handled by the federal government, some by the state of Vermont and some by your utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:
- Tax Exemptions: Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase for your solar system. Property tax exemptions let you ignore the value that your solar panels add when you're calculating how much property tax you need to pay on your home.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. Rebates could be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before calculating tax credits.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Westminster utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits decrease, dollar-for-dollar, how much income tax you owe the federal government. These are different from tax deductions.
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. One of the incentives many people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a certain percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC originally covered 30% of the cost of installing solar panels, although that number has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The total installation cost includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of equipment, labor and accessories. There is no maximum claim amount. The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Get in touch with your local Westminster solar panel installer to get more information.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Under the new program, solar installation projects begun after January 1, 2022 and finished by December 31, 2032 can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, it will also be easier to qualify for credits for energy storage systems with the new act.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, get in touch with your local Westminster solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided by state and local governments. Similar to federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. 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 Westminster
You can receive solar incentives from the Vermont government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. Growing availability of solar initiatives in the past 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. If you're ready to make the switch to solar energy, reaching out to your local Westminster 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 Westminster, VT Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save on my electric bill annually if I install solar panels on my house in Westminster?
On average, Westminster homeowners who install solar panels save approximately $1,253.06 per year, or approximately $23,808.16 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are some environmental benefits of adding solar panels to my house?
Solar energy is a renewable energy source — by changing where you get your energy, you help lessen the strain on our planet's resources. Solar panels can also reduce your home's CO2 emissions by 200 pounds a year, or roughly 4,000 pounds in 20 years.
I want to change out my appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any benefits I can apply for?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are several new financial incentives for making eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details regarding these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I apply for 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 your solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are claiming, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming the correct incentives and getting the most money you can.
Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can use multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss your proposed plan with your local Westminster solar installation expert, so that you understand what you'll need and what types of incentives you might or might not 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.