2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Shoreline, WA - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Shoreline.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Shoreline?
Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Incentive Payment
Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption
100% exemption for solar photovoltaic systems 10 kilowatts or less, and solar thermal systems;
75% exemption for other qualified systems
Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard for Affordable Housing
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are meant to help mitigate the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This category of financial incentives is intended to encourage more Americans to make the switch to renewable energy. Various kinds of incentives, such as cash back, discounts or credit towards your monthly utility bill, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be provided via the Washington government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while others are federal. Types of solar incentives might include:
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar panels may qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions are applied at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value added by your solar panels when you are calculating property taxes on your home.
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering agreement with your Shoreline 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.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Rebates: Some solar companies will help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar panels. States or counties will also offer limited-time rebates at various times. If you receive a rebate, that amount will usually come off the total price before tax credits are calculated.
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Federal Solar Incentives
When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is likely the most commonly known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC applies towards solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, labor, accessories and equipment. You can receive this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The original claim amount was 30% of the total cost, although depending on when the project was completed, your credit may range from 26-30%. There is no maximum claim amount.
To best understand how the ITC may apply to you, call your local Shoreline solar panel installation expert and request more information.
The ITC was renewed and increased in scope after 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, might 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 claim credits for energy storage systems under the new laws.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To better understand how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you, speak with your local Shoreline solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include rebates, tax credits and more. Some incentives are ongoing, while others are only available for a limited time. They may be provided by the Washington government, or by your county or municipality.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Shoreline
The expanding number of solar incentives available has helped tremendously increase the adoption of solar energy nationwide over the past 15 years. You might qualify for solar incentives from your local utility company, the federal government or the Washington government. When you're ready to make the change to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Shoreline solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Shoreline, WA Solar Incentives FAQs
If I already have solar panels, can I still claim incentives?
Your best bet is to talk to the company that installed your solar system – or call a local Shoreline solar installer — to better understand which incentives you might qualify for. If your solar panels were installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the newly increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar systems installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How long until the federal solar tax credit ends?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly called the federal solar tax credit, or the ITC), is scheduled to end on January 1, 2035. Currently set at 30%, the credit will drop to 26% in 2033 and to 22% in 2034.
Can I qualify for incentives both towards the up-front 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. Be sure to speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming the correct incentives and getting the most money possible.
Can I use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home, such as a combination of solar and wind power. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. Be sure to discuss the details of your plan with your local Shoreline solar panel installer, so that you understand what you'll need and what types of incentives you may or may 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.