The investment tax credit (ITC), also known as the federal solar tax credit, allows you to apply 30 percent of your solar energy system’s cost as a credit to your federal tax bill. The 30 percent tax credit will be available until 2033, at which point it will drop to 26 percent. The ITC applies to both residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value. The average EnergySage Marketplace shopper saves nearly $6,150 on the cost of going solar as a result of the ITC.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide an informational overview of the Federal Solar Tax Credit for interested homeowners. It is not intended to serve as official financial guidance. Readers interested in installing solar products should use their best judgment and seek advice from a licensed tax professional before making any purchase or investment.
Key takeaways
In 2022, the ITC allows both homeowners and businesses to claim 30 percent of their solar system costs from your taxes.
The 30 percent tax credit will last for 10 years until 2033, at which point it will drop to 26 percent.
The credit rolls over as long as the ITC is in effect, so you don’t have to have enough tax liability to use it all in one year.
You must own your solar system to take advantage of the ITC – if you signed a solar lease or PPA, you won’t receive this benefit.
Use the EnergySage Marketplace to compare solar system quotes and see how much you can save by going solar.
What’s in this article?
What is the federal solar investment tax credit?
The ITC was originally established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was set to expire at the end of 2007. Thanks to the popularity of the ITC, and its success in supporting the United States’ transition to a renewable energy economy, Congress has delayed its expiration date multiple times, including most recently in August 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, extending the ITC at 30 percent for 10 additional years. Now, the solar investment tax credit is available to homeowners in some form through 2034. Here’s a timeline of the ITC:
2016 – 2019: the energy tax credit remained at 30 percent of the cost of the system.
2020 – 2021: owners of new residential and commercial solar earned a credit of 26 percent of the cost of the system for their federal income tax bill.
2022 – 2032: owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 30 percent of the cost of the system for their tax bill. Commercial solar systems will also be eligible for 30 percent until 2025, at which point the U.S. Department of Treasury will determine if the ITC will continue for commercial systems.
2033: owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 26 percent of the installation costs of the system for their tax bill.
2034: owners of new residential solar can earn a credit of 22 percent of the installation costs of the system for their tax bill.
2035: there is no federal credit for residential solar energy systems starting this year.
UPDATE: Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which is why the ITC jumped back to 30 percent through 2032. Importantly, any system installed in 2022 qualifies for the 30 percent tax credit, even if it was installed before the Inflation Reduction Act was passed.
How the solar tax credit works
As long as you own your solar energy system, you are eligible for the solar investment tax credit. Even if you don’t have enough tax liability to claim the entire credit in one year, you can “roll over” the remaining credit amount into future years for as long as the tax credit is in effect (so, through 2034 for residential energy systems as it stands today). However, remember that if you sign a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar installer, you are not the owner of the system, and therefore cannot claim the tax credit. Lastly, it’s important to note that there is no income limit on the ITC program, so taxpayers in all income brackets may be eligible.
Solar tax credit eligibility checklist for 2023
If you’re not sure the ITC applies to you and your home, here is a checklist of criteria to keep in mind:
Your solar photovoltaic (PV) system was installed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2034.
Your solar PV system was installed on your primary residence or secondary residence in the United States.
For an off-site community solar project, the electricity generated is credited against and does not exceed your home’s electricity consumption. The IRS allows a taxpayer to claim a section 25D tax credit for purchasing a portion of a community solar project.
You own the solar PV system, meaning you purchased it outright or financed it with a loan. You did not sign a lease or PPA.
Your solar PV system is new or being used for the first time – the credit can only be claimed on the original installation of the solar equipment. For instance, if you bought a house that came with a solar panel system already installed, you would not be eligible for the credit.
What’s covered by the tax credit?
Homeowners who leverage the 30 percent ITC from the federal government can plan to see the following expenditures covered:
Cost of solar panels
Labor costs for installation, including permitting fees, inspection costs, and developer fees
Any and all additional solar equipment, like inverters, wiring, and mounting hardware
Energy storage systems rated three kilowatt-hours (kWh) or greater (starting in 2023).
Sales taxes on eligible expenses
When and for how long can I claim the solar tax credit?
If you’re eligible for the ITC, but you don’t owe any taxes during the given calendar year, the IRS will not refund you with a check for claiming the credit. The 30 percent ITC is not refundable. However, according to the Department of Energy, you can carry forward the unused amount to the next year. Therefore, if you have a tax liability next year, but don’t have any this year, you can still claim the credit.
Using the federal tax credit in combination with other incentives
Aside from the ITC, there are several other solar incentives to consider like rebates, state-sponsored programs, and other tax incentives depending on where you live. While some of these financial incentives may impact the ITC, others can be combined to lower the cost of going solar. Here’s what you need to know about combining solar incentives with the federal ITC:
Rebates from your utility company: as a general rule of thumb, subsidies from your utility company will be excluded from income tax returns due to an exemption in federal law. So, in this case, any utility rebate for installing solar would be subtracted from your system cost before you can calculate the tax credit.
Rebates from the state: these types of rebates typically do not reduce your federal tax credit.
State tax credit: if you get any state tax credit for your solar power system (a common one is a state property tax credit), it will not decrease your federal tax credits. However, keep in mind that getting a state tax credit means that your taxable income on federal returns will be higher since you will have less state income tax to deduct.
Payments from renewable energy certificates: any time you receive money from selling renewable energy certificates, it will likely be considered taxable income that will increase your gross income. But, it will not reduce your tax credit.
Other federal energy efficiency home improvement credits: As part of the Inflation Improvement Act, there are several credits available for home renovation that solar panels can be paired with.
How do I claim the federal solar tax credit?
You claim the investment tax credit for solar when you file your yearly federal tax return. If you have an accountant, remember to let them know you’ve gone solar in the past year, or if you file your own taxes, you can use EnergySage’s step-by-step guide on how to claim the solar ITC. You’ll need to fill out IRS Form 5695 in addition to a few other tax forms to make sure you get your tax credit.
Impact of the solar tax credit
As the United States races to achieve rigorous clean energy benchmarks, the federal policies and incentives to get us there have heightened. On both a distributed and utility-scale level, solar deployment has grown quickly across the country. The federal tax credit has given businesses, homeowners, and taxpayers the opportunity to drive down solar costs while increasing long-term energy stability. The ITC has been a driver of huge success, giving us a stronger and cleaner future: in fact, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), it has helped the U.S. solar industry expand by over 200%! Learn more about how solar panel costs and efficiency have changed over time.
Frequently asked questions about the solar tax credit
Calculating the cost of going solar can be complicated as it is, let alone incorporating other financial incentives and tax credits into your estimate. Check out a few other commonly asked questions related to the ITC for more clarification:
How much is the federal solar tax credit for in 2022?
In 2022, the federal solar tax credit is worth 30 percent of the cost of a system for eligible residential and commercial taxpayers. The ITC will disappear for residential systems starting in 2035.
Is the solar tax credit a one-time credit?
Right now, the ITC is a one-time credit. But, you may carry over the excess credit to the next year if you can’t use it all when you file. For example, if you only owed $6,000 in taxes but received the $6,200 solar tax credit, you’d pay $0 in taxes for the tax year when you placed the claim. Then, you’d also get to reduce next year’s taxes by the remaining $200.
Will the solar tax credit increase my tax refund?
In most cases, the solar tax credit will not increase your tax refund because it’s a nonrefundable tax credit, meaning the ITC amount is applied against your tax liability or the money you owe the IRS. However, if the ITC’s reduction in your tax liability means that you’ve overpaid your taxes during the year, you could receive a refund – but this refund amount still won’t exceed your tax liability for that year.
Start your solar journey today with EnergySage
EnergySage is the nation’s online solar marketplace: when you sign up for a free account, we connect you with solar companies in your area, who compete for your business with custom solar quotes tailored to fit your needs. Over 10 million people come to the EnergySage Marketplace each year to learn about, shop for, and invest in solar. Sign up today to see how much solar can save you on your electricity bills.
core solar content
Comments