2023 Solar Incentives Guide for Wheeling, WV - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Wheeling.
You'll learn about:
- Local & State Solar Incentives
- Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2023 and beyond)
- Ways to optimize your solar investment
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Updated March 14, 2023
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What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Wheeling?
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
The term "solar incentives" broadly refers to financial incentives put in place by solar companies and the government to encourage the adoption and use renewable energy by making solar panels more affordable. You may be eligible for several kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or credit towards your monthly utility bill, depending on your situation. Certain incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the West Virginia government and others from the federal government. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:
- Tax Credits: Different from tax deductions, tax credits reduce, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax that you owe the federal government.
- Tax Exemptions: Your solar system may qualify for exemptions on both sales and property tax. Sales tax exemptions are effective at the time of purchase. Property tax exemptions allow you to exclude the value added by your solar panels when calculating property taxes on your home.
- Net Metering: Net metering factors in after your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Wheeling 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 is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you might make back a percentage of the value.
- Rebates: Rebates, or cash back after a purchase, are typically applied before any solar tax credits are calculated. These rebates can be offered by your local utility company, by your county or by your state.
Federal Solar Incentives
When someone says "solar incentives," you probably think of federal incentives first. One of the incentives that most people are likely familiar with is the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC initially applied to 30% of the total cost of installing a solar system, and has fluctuated slightly over time between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you qualify for. The total cost of installation includes the panels themselves as well as the cost of labor, accessories and equipment. There is no maximum amount you can claim. The ITC applies to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006 on your primary or secondary residence. The residence must be in the United States and owned by you.
Reaching out to your local Wheeling solar panel installation expert is the best way to learn more about how the ITC could apply to your situation.
The ITC was both renewed and expanded by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022. It's also now called the Clean Energy Credit. Now, solar installation projects begun after January 1, 2022 and finished by December 31, 2032 might qualify for a 30% tax credit. This percentage will then decrease slightly each year until the current Clean Energy Credit expires in 2035. The expansion to the program also makes credits for energy storage systems even easier to claim, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. To best understand how the new Clean Energy Credit will apply to you, talk to your local Wheeling solar installation expert.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Not all solar incentives are federal; rebates, tax credits and more are often offered at the local or state level. Incentives might be handled by the state of West Virginia, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives may be available for only a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Wheeling
The expanding number of solar incentives available has enormously increased the nationwide adoption of solar energy over the past 15 years. You can get solar incentives from the federal government, the West Virginia government or from your local utility company. When you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, talking to your local Wheeling solar panel installation expert is an excellent place to start.
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EcoWatch's Wheeling, WV Solar Incentives FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for solar incentives?
Generally, solar incentives apply to:
- a new solar panel system
- installed on property that you own
- within the U.S.
- within the date range specified by a particular incentive.
Specific incentives, including those run by the West Virginia government or by your county/municipality, might have additional qualifications. Talk to your local Wheeling solar installer to learn more about what incentives your project may qualify for.
I already have solar panels. Do I qualify for any incentives?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your system — or get in touch with a local Wheeling 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. Solar panels installed between 2006 and 2021 may qualify for a tax credit of 26-30%.
How much will solar panels save me on my electric bill in Wheeling annually?
Generally, homeowners in Wheeling who install solar panels save about $858.62 per year, or about $16,313.82 over 20 years after making the switch.
If I trade in my appliances for ones that can utilize solar energy, are there any credits I can claim?
Under the new Inflation Reduction Act, there are several new financial incentives for making 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 use a combination of solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of wind and solar. You can also use both renewable energy sources and a backup source of non-renewable energy. Make sure that you discuss the details of your plan with your local Wheeling solar installation expert, so that you understand what you'll need and what types of incentives you might or might 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.