2025 Solar Incentives Guide for Parkersburg, WV - Tax Credits & Rebates

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

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

The term "solar incentives" generally refers to financial incentives that are in place to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. Incentives could include things like discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits. Some incentives are provided by the federal government, while others are offered by the West Virginia government or by your specific utility company, county or municipality. Categories of solar incentives include:

• Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Parkersburg utility company, the company will subtract the value of the excess energy your solar system produces from your monthly utility bill. In some locations, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might be refunded a percentage of the value.
• Tax Exemptions: These could come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you ignore the value added by your solar panels when paying taxes on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
• Rebates: Solar rebates might be offered by your state or county, or by your local utility company. These rebates work as cash back that is applied after your purchase of solar panels and before tax credits are calculated.
• Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount of income tax that you owe the government.

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about solar incentives. One of the incentives many people are probably familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a predetermined percentage of your solar system's cost.

The ITC can be applied to the total cost of solar panel installation, including the panels themselves as well as accessories, labor and equipment. This credit can be claimed for panels installed after January 1, 2006, on a primary or secondary residence that you own and that is located in the United States. From its original value of 30% of the total cost, the credit has fluctuated slightly between 26-30%, and you may qualify for varying percentages 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 Parkersburg solar panel installer.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded and extended the ITC, now titled the Clean Energy Credit. Homeowners can now receive a credit equal to 30% of the total costs of solar system installation for projects that began after January 1, 2022, and will be finished by the end of 2032. This percentage will then begin to decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The program expansion also makes it easier to get credit for energy storage systems, starting in 2023.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. The easiest way to fully understand 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

There are often also state solar incentives in addition to those provided by the federal government. Tax credits, rebates and more may be available at a more local level. The incentives — which may be given by your county or municipality, or by the state of West Virginia — might be offered on an ongoing basis, or for only a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Parkersburg

You can receive solar incentives from the West Virginia government and the federal government, as well as from your local utility company. This increase in availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped increase nationwide solar energy use enormously. Your local Parkersburg solar panel installation expert can provide you with more details about which incentives you should apply for, and get you on track to switch to renewable energy today.