2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Whitewater, WI - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Whitewater.
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.
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Whitewater?
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 phrase "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage the use of renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Different kinds of incentives, including cash back, discounts or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Some incentives may be handled by the Wisconsin government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Net Metering: Net metering is an incentive you can get after your solar system is up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Whitewater utility company, the company 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 areas you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. The first 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 exclude the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.
- Rebates: Solar rebates can be offered by your local utility company, or by your state or county. These rebates are essentially cash back that is applied after you purchase a solar system and before tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government. (A tax credit is different from a tax deduction.)
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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
Federal Solar Incentives
Federal incentives are the type of incentives that you are most likely to have some familiarity with. You may have heard of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC. This incentive is a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of the money you spend installing solar panels.
The ITC is applied to the total cost of solar system installation, including the panels themselves as well as equipment, labor and accessories. You can claim this credit for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence located in the United States that you own. 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 amount you can claim.
To better understand exactly how much the ITC could save you, talk to your local Whitewater solar panel installer.
In August 2022, the ITC (now called the Clean Energy Credit) was expanded and extended by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Now, solar installation projects started after January 1, 2022, and completed by the end of 2032, can qualify for a 30% tax credit. This credit amount will then see a slight annual decrease until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make it easier to get credit for energy storage systems.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, speak with your local Whitewater solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives may be offered at the local or state level. Like with federal incentives, these could include tax credits, rebates and more. Incentives might be offered by your county or municipality, or by the state of Wisconsin. Certain incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Whitewater
You can apply for and receive solar incentives from the Wisconsin 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 greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. If you're ready to switch over to solar energy, reaching out to your local Whitewater solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
EcoWatch's Whitewater, WI Solar Incentives FAQs
My home already has solar panels installed. Do I qualify for any incentives?
You should plan to talk to a representative from the company that installed your system – or reach out to a local Whitewater solar installer — to clarify 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. 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 federal solar tax credit, previously called the ITC and now called the Clean Energy Credit, is scheduled to end January 1, 2035. The current 30% credit will end in 2032, replaced by a 26% credit in 2033 and a 22% credit in 2034.
I want to trade in my old appliances for ones that are more energy-efficient. Are there any credits I can get?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are a variety of new financial incentives to encourage you to make eco-friendly improvements to your home. More details on these incentives, including information about incentives for purchasing new appliances, can be found here.
Can I receive 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 eligible for, they may apply in a different order. Make sure that you speak with your solar installer or a local tax professional to verify that you are claiming incentives correctly and that you're getting the most money possible.
Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?
Yes, you can use multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of geothermal and solar. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a non-renewable backup source of energy. Be sure to discuss your proposed plan with your local Whitewater solar panel installer, to make sure you know what you'll need and what types of incentives you will or won't 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.