About the chart above:
While state tax credits do not account for a huge chunk of the overall solar incentive pie (4% of the overall report card), they can be an important factor consider, especially if you have some personal tax liability. In certain circumstances, state tax credits can provide a very powerful incentive for people to go solar.
For example, pretend you’re in Idaho. Yeah, some people give Idaho a bad wrap, though if you were to have $20,000 in personal tax liability and live there, you could install a fine 3kW solar system for about $20,000 and write off the whole shebang on your taxes – installation, permitting, metering, everything! Free electricity! That’s pretty sweet.
Also, one of our readers pointed out that in Louisiana, you may install multiple systems and qualify for their $12,500 tax credit multiple times. Nice tidbit to know!
The details on all the state tax credits above were sourced in August of 2010, from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
2010 SPR Solar Report Card Navigation:
Part 1, Residential Solar Energy ROI by State
Part 2, Residential Solar Report Card Summary Grades
Part 3, Electric Utility Policies and Rates
Part 4, Solar Incentive Summary Grades
Part 5, Solar Yearly Performance Payments by State
Part 6, State Rebate Details
Part 7, Tax Credit Overview by State (you are here)
Part 8, Property Tax Exemptions
Part 9, State Loans for Solar
Part 10, Sales Tax Exemptions |
SPR Report Card 2010 – Part 8 – Property Tax Exemptions »« SPR Report Card 2010 – Part 6 – State Rebate Details
If a golf car fleet utilizes solar tops each containing 200 watt panels, does the combination of the entire fleet (for example 50 cars x 200 W = 10 kW) count towards the total kW? Would a system like that even qualify for a California tax credit?
Anyone knowing an expert CPA on energy tax credits for these questions would be greatly appreciated?
Hey Jeremy,
You will not receive any special solar incentive for your golf carts, however they do qualify for a different type of tax credit: See the rules here
They need to have rear and side view mirrors and a 3 point safety belt. The credits can amount to a sizable chunk of change.
Hey, just looking at your cool site and wanted to let you know that Arizona’s state tax credit for residential solar installations is actually capped at $1,000 (not $25,000). The commercial solar tax credit in Arizona is capped at $25,000. Good work and thanks for making all this information available!
Thanks for the update Tanner!
Jeremy
Dan Hahn
Tanner Bishop