2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Port Lavaca, TX - Tax Credits & Rebates
In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Port Lavaca.
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 Port Lavaca?
Renewable Energy Systems Property Tax Exemption
Texas Gas Service - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Home Improvement (includes attic insulation, duct sealing, duct insulation, duct replacement, high-efficiency gas furnace, and Wi-Fi thermostat: Up to $1000
Solar Water Heater With Natural Gas Backup: $750
Tankless or Super High-efficiency Water Heater: $650
Furnace: $675
Furnace Tune-Up: $40
Natural Gas Dryer with moisture sensor: $225
Natural Gas Dryer Stub: $300
Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit
Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Solar incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy by providing financial incentives that lower the burden of solar panel installation and use. You might qualify for various kinds of incentives, such as 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 Texas government and others from the federal government. You might qualify for any of the following types of solar incentives:
- Tax Credits: Tax credits are dollar-for-dollar reductions that lower the amount of income tax you owe the government. (This is different from a tax deduction.)
- Net Metering: Net metering becomes relevant once your solar panels are up and running. If you have a net metering agreement with your Port Lavaca utility company, the company 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 other places you may make back a percentage of the value.
- Tax Exemptions: These may come in the form of property tax exemptions, which can let you exclude the value added by your solar panels when paying property tax on your home. You could also look for exemptions on sales tax at the time of purchase.
- Rebates: A rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar system. Rebates may be offered by your local utility company, your county or your state. The cash back that you get from the rebates is normally applied before tax credits are calculated.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Regional Coverage
Momentum Solar
- Great warranty coverage
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Concierge service ensures steady communication
- Slightly limited service offerings
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Federal Solar Incentives
When you think about solar incentives, you likely think of federal incentives first. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is probably the best-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.
The ITC can be credited towards the value of solar panels installed on your primary or secondary residence in the United States. The solar panels must have been installed after January 1, 2006, on a property you own for you to be eligible for the credit. The ITC initially covered 30% of all system costs (panels, labor, equipment and accessories), although the amount has fluctuated over the years between 26-30%. The installation date of your solar system will determine what percentage you are eligible for. There is no cap on the amount you can claim.
Your local Port Lavaca solar panel installation expert can provide more information about the ITC and how it may apply to your situation.
The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as retitling it 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. The percentage will then decrease on a yearly basis until the Clean Energy Credit ends in 2035. The expansion also makes claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before, starting in 2023.
Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Port Lavaca solar panel company is the best resource for answering your questions regarding the new Clean Energy Credit and how it will apply to you.
State & Local Solar Incentives
Tax credits, rebates and more can be provided at multiple levels. On top of federal solar incentives, there are often state and local ones, too. These incentives might be handled by your county or municipality, or by the Texas government. Some incentives may be available for a limited time, while others are ongoing.
Next Steps for Installing Solar in Port Lavaca
The nationwide use of solar energy has significantly increased in the past 15 years, in part thanks to the increase in availability of solar incentives. You can obtain these incentives from the federal government, the Texas government or your local utility company. If you're prepared to make the change to solar energy, reaching out to your local Port Lavaca solar panel installation expert is a great first step.
EcoWatch's Port Lavaca, TX Solar Incentives FAQs
How can I find out if I qualify for specific solar incentives?
It's a smart idea to get in touch with your local Port Lavaca solar installer to get an understanding of which incentives your project may qualify for. In most cases, solar incentives apply to new solar systems installed on a property you own (in the U.S.) within a specified date range. Some incentives, like those provided by the Texas government, may have additional requirements.
My home already has solar panels installed. Are there any incentives that I qualify for?
You should plan to talk to someone from the company that installed your solar panels – or get in touch with a local Port Lavaca solar installer — to learn about which incentives you may qualify for. If your system was installed after January 1, 2022, you likely qualify for the recently 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 a solar system save me annually on my electric bill in Port Lavaca?
On average, homeowners in Port Lavaca who install solar panels save around $1,044.96 per year, or around $19,854.21 over 20 years after making the switch.
What are some of the environmental benefits of switching to solar?
You can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds of CO2 annually by switching to solar panels. This adds up to approximately 9,000 pounds in 20 years. In addition, solar power is a renewable energy source, which means that making the switch lessens the drain on our planet's resources.
Can I use both solar and another type of renewable energy to power my home?
You can power your home with multiple types of renewable energy, or a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy. Be sure to discuss your ideas with your local Port Lavaca solar installer. They can help you as you plan for your project and educate you on the various incentives that 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.