2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Oshkosh, WI - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/

The term "solar incentives" covers a wide range of financial incentives implemented to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. Different kinds of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be handled by the state of Wisconsin, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:

• Rebates: Rebates, or partial refunds after a purchase, are usually given prior to any solar tax credits being calculated. Rebates may be given by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
• Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get once your solar system is up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Oshkosh utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some areas, this credit is dollar-for-dollar, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
• Tax Exemptions: Your solar system could qualify for both sales tax and property tax exemptions. Sales tax exemptions come into effect at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your house.
• Tax Credits: Unlike tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. You've likely heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. The ITC is a tax credit that reduces your taxes by a specified percentage of the money you spend on your solar system.

The ITC can be applied to the total cost of installing solar panels, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, equipment and labor. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own, as long as it is located in the United States. Originally set at 30% of total costs, the credit has fluctuated over time, and you may qualify for different amounts depending on when your project was completed. There is no maximum claim amount.

To best understand how the ITC might apply to your situation, speak to your local Oshkosh solar panel installation expert and ask for more information.

In August 2022, the ITC (now referred to as the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Homeowners can now receive a credit of 30% of the total solar system installation costs for projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed before the end of 2032. This percentage will then decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.

More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. To fully understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, get in touch with your local Oshkosh solar installation company.

State & Local Solar Incentives

There are more than just federal solar incentives; tax credits, rebates and more may be offered at the state and local level. Incentives might be handled by the state of Wisconsin, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives might only be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Oshkosh

The large number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the last 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the Wisconsin government, the federal government or your local utility company. If you're ready to switch over to solar energy, getting in touch with your local Oshkosh solar panel installation expert is a great first step.