2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Hudson, WI - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 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 Hudson solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Hudson?

Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemptions

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption from sales and use tax for eligible purchases

Renewable Rewards Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Solar PV: Residential - $200 per kW
Business - 0-5 kW: $200 per kW
5-10 kW: $1000 + $150 per kW over 5
10-100 kW: $1750 + $125 per kW over 10
100-300 kW: $13000 + $100 per kW over 100
300-500 kW: $33000 + $85 per kW over 300

Biogas, Solar, and Wind Energy Equipment Exemption

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% of the value added by an eligible renewable energy system

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 to help people install solar panels on their homes. The incentives might include cash back, upfront discounts or monthly credits towards your utility bill. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, some by the Wisconsin government and some by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in one of two forms. The first is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your home.
  • Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant after your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Hudson utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your utility bill each month. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other places you may receive a refund equivalent to a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
  • Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
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Federal Solar Incentives

When thinking about solar incentives, federal incentives are likely the first thing that comes to mind. It's likely that you've heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend on solar panels for your home.

The ITC applies to solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar system must have been installed on a property you own after January 1, 2006, for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system installation costs (panels, accessories, labor and equipment), although the amount has fluctuated slightly over the years between 26-30%. The amount you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. There is no cap on the claim amount.

Talking to your local Hudson solar panel installer is the best way to learn more about how the ITC could apply to you.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, expanded and extended the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Under the new program, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage 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 under the new laws.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Hudson solar panel company can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Rebates, tax credits and more might be provided at multiple levels. In addition to federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones as well. Some incentives are ongoing, while others may only be available for a limited time. They might be given by your county or municipality, or by the Wisconsin government.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Hudson

The variety of available solar incentives has helped tremendously increase the use of solar power nationwide over the past 15 years. You may receive solar incentives from the federal government, the Wisconsin government or from your local utility company. Reaching out to your local Hudson solar panel installation expert is the right first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.

EcoWatch's Hudson, WI Solar Incentives FAQs

How do I know if I qualify for solar incentives?

In most cases, solar incentives apply to:

  1. a new solar panel system
  2. installed on property you own
  3. within the U.S.
  4. between the dates specified by a particular incentive.

Specific incentives, including those given out by the Wisconsin government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Hudson solar installer to learn more about 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 solar panels – or get in touch with a local Hudson solar installer — to learn about which incentives you might qualify for. If your system was 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%.

Who installs solar panel systems near me?

To find the right solar panel installer for you, check out our guide to Hudson's best solar panel companies.

When does the federal solar tax credit end?

The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named the federal solar tax credit, or ITC), is slated 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 claim incentives for adding 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, and most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the details. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives apply to your specific situation.

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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