2023 Solar Incentives Guide for West Bend, WI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in West Bend.
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 West Bend?
Renewable Energy Sales Tax Exemptions
Renewable Rewards Program
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
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage people to use renewable energy by making installing and using solar panels more affordable. You may be eligible for several kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the Wisconsin government and others from the federal government. Some broad categories of solar incentives include:
- Net Metering: You can sign a net metering contract with your West Bend 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 utility bill each month.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions may come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, which is applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to ignore the value added by your solar system when calculating property tax for your house.
- Tax Credits: These credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions (not deductions) in the amount of tax that you owe the federal government.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar panels. These 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 tax credits are calculated.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you hear the term "solar incentives," federal incentives might be the first thing that comes to mind. You may have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a specified percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. The credit initially covered 30% of the total cost — for panels, labor, equipment and accessories — although that amount may range from 26-30%, depending on the installation date of your solar system. There is no cap on the claim amount.
To better understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, contact your local West Bend solar panel installation expert.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). Now, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022 and completed by the end of 2032 might qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount of the credit will then decrease slightly each year until the end of the current Clean Energy Credit in 2035. The program expansion also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. Your local West Bend solar panel installation experts can answer your questions and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these may include tax credits, rebates and more. Some incentives are offered for only a limited time, while others are ongoing. Local solar incentives could come from your county or municipality, or from the Wisconsin government.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in West Bend
The large number of solar incentives available has contributed greatly to the increase in the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from your local utility company, the Wisconsin government or the federal government. Getting in touch with your local West Bend solar panel installation company is the best first step towards making sure you get all the incentives you qualify for when you switch to solar energy.
Best Technology
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EcoWatch's West Bend, WI Solar Incentives FAQs
What if I add solar panels to a vacation home, rental property or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?
Many solar incentives are intended to apply to a property located within the United States that you own; most secondary residences fall into this category. Other solar incentives may be available for commercial properties, depending on the specifics. We recommend reaching out to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what incentives will apply to your specific situation.
I already have solar panels. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
If your solar system was installed after January 1, 2022, you may qualify for the recently increased 30% tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act. If you installed your system between 2006 and 2021, you may qualify for a tax credit between 26% and 30%, depending on the date of installation. Reaching out to the company that installed your system, or any local West Bend solar installer, can help you understand what incentives you qualify for.
How much will a solar system save me on my electric bill in West Bend annually?
Generally, homeowners in West Bend who install solar panels save around $1,136.26 per year, or around $21,588.92 over 20 years after they make the switch.
If I change out my appliances for ones that use solar energy, are there any incentives that I can claim?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a number of new financial incentives to encourage you to make 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 up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order in which incentives are applied might vary depending on which incentives you receive but typically yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Speak to your solar installer or a local tax professional to confirm you are claiming all of the incentives you qualify for and applying them in the correct order.
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.