2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Parkersburg, WV - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Parkersburg.
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 Parkersburg?
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" refers to 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. Various types of incentives, such as discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, may be available to you. Certain incentives may be offered by the West Virginia government, by your utility company or by county or municipality, while other incentives are federal. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- 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 Parkersburg utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in others you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Some solar companies will help you claim a rebate, or partial refund of your purchase, for your solar system. States or counties will also sometimes offer limited-time rebates. Any rebates you receive will usually be deducted from your total price before any tax credits are calculated.
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the government.
- Tax Exemptions: These can come in the form of property tax exemptions, which let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating the taxes you pay on your home. You may also qualify for an exemption on sales tax at the time of purchase.
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you probably think of federal incentives first. The solar incentive that you're most likely to have heard of is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a credit on your taxes equal to a percentage of your solar system's cost.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the cost of installing a solar system, although that number has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The percentage you qualify for will depend on when your solar system was installed. The cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of accessories, equipment and labor. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC can be applied to solar panels installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be owned by you and in the United States.
Your local Parkersburg solar panel installation expert can provide you with more information about the ITC and how it applies to your situation.
In August 2022, the ITC (now titled the Clean Energy Credit) was bolstered by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Under the new program, solar installation projects that are completed between 2022 and 2032 can 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 it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, beginning in 2023.
More information about the new Inflation Reduction Act can be found here. The best way to learn more about how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you is to reach out to your local Parkersburg solar panel company with your questions.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Some solar incentives are often also offered at the local or state level. As with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. Incentives might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the state of West Virginia. Some incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Parkersburg
There are a number of different solar incentives: those given by local utility companies, those given by the federal government and those given by the West Virginia government, to name a few. Solar energy use has grown enormously in the last 15 years, partially thanks to these incentives. Call your local solar panel installation company today to learn more and to save as much money as possible on a solar system for your Parkersburg home.
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EcoWatch's Parkersburg, WV Solar Incentives FAQs
How much can I save annually on my electric bill if I add solar panels to my Parkersburg home?
When you add solar panels to your home in Parkersburg, you can expect to save around $856.66 per year, or around $16,276.59 over the next 20 years.
Who installs solar panel systems near me?
To learn about the best solar panel installation companies near you, take a look at our article on the best solar companies in Parkersburg.
When does the federal solar tax credit end?
The Clean Energy Credit (formerly named the federal solar tax credit, or 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 claim incentives both towards the up-front cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?
The order that incentives will be applied in might vary depending on which incentives you receive but in most cases yes, you can receive multiple types of incentives for your solar project. Talk with your solar installer or a local tax professional to be sure you are claiming all the incentives you are eligible for and applying them in the correct order.
Can I use solar and another type of renewable energy in combination to power my home?
You can use multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy, to power your home. Make sure you discuss your ideas with your local Parkersburg solar installation expert. They can help you plan your project and give you an understanding of various incentives that 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.