Solar Incentives
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The 26% federal investment tax credit (ITC) is among the most important incentives currently available for solar PV.
Solar PV panels or PV cells used to power an attic fan (but not the fan itself)
Contractor labor costs for onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation, including permitting fees,
inspection costs, and developer fees
Balance of system equipment, including wiring, inverters, and mounting equipment
Sales taxes on eligible expenses
Yes. You do not necessarily have to be a homeowner to claim the tax credit. A tenant-stockholder at cooperative housing corporation and members of condominiums are still eligible for the tax credit if they contribute to the costs of an eligible solar PV system.
In this case, the amount you spend contributing to the cost of the solar PV system would be the amount you would use to calculate your tax credit. However, you cannot claim a tax credit if you are a renter and your landlord installs a solar system since you must be an owner of the system to claim the tax credit.
…I INSTALLED SOLAR PV ON MY VACATION HOME (LOCATED IN THE U.S.)?
Yes. Solar PV systems do not necessarily have to be installed on your primary residence for you to claim the tax credit.
…THE SOLAR PV PANELS ARE ON MY PROPERTY, BUT NOT ON MY ROOF?
Yes. The solar PV panels located on your property do not necessarily have to be installed on your roof, as long as it is generating electricity for use at your residence.
The system must be placed in service during the tax year and generate electricity for a home located in the U.S.
There is no maximum amount that can be claimed if the solar PV system was installed in or after 2009.
The solar PV system is located at a residential location in the U.S. (but not necessarily your primary residence).
You own the solar PV system (e.g., you purchased it with cash or through financing – but are not leasing it or in an arrangement to purchase electricity generated by a system you do not own).
The solar PV system is new or being used for the first time. The ITC can only be claimed on the “original installation” of the solar equipment.
Solar incentives vary among states and even among utility companies within the same state. In addition, rebate levels change frequently and are decreasing in many states. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about current state incentive level, seeDSIRE(the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy).
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) are a solar incentive that allows homeowners to sell certificates for energy to their utility. A homeowner earns one SREC for every 1000 kilowatt-hours (kWhs) produced by their solar panel system. An SREC can be worth over $300 in certain states.
SRECs exist as a result of a regulation known as the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Renewable portfolio standards are state laws that require utilities to produce a specific percentage of their electricity from renewable resources. Nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C. have an RPS, and eight states have a renewable portfolio goal.
The 30% federal investment tax credit (ITC) is among the most important incentives currently available for solar PV.
A solar PV system must be placed into service before December 31, 2021, to claim the 30% ITC.
For solar PV systems installed on or after October 4, 2008, there is no maximum amount that can be claimed through the ITC, and it may be used to offset either income taxes or alternative minimum taxes.
Typically, a solar PV system eligible for the ITC can also use an accelerated depreciation corporate deduction.
Solar PV panels, solar curtain walls, and sales and use taxes on the equipment
Installation costs and racking
Step-up transformers, circuit breakers, and surge arrestors
Energy storage devices, 3 power conditioning equipment, and transfer equipment
Used by someone subject to U.S. income taxes (i.e., cannot be used by a tax-exempt entity like a charity)
Located in the U.S. (but not U.S. territories unless owned by a U.S. corporation or citizen)
New and not previously used equipment
Not used to generate energy for heating a swimming pool
CARRYBACK AND CARRYFORWARD RULES
Unused tax credits related to the commercial ITC may be carried back 1 year and forward 20 years. After 20 years, one-half of any unused credit can be deducted, with the remaining amount expiring.
In some states, a tax-exempt entity can indirectly benefit from federal tax benefits related to solar by entering into a thirdparty ownership (TPO) arrangement
Choosing to go solar can be a big decision, and we’re here to make it easy. Fill out the form to get started and let us guide you to a brighter, more sustainable future.