United States Government Grants, Incentives, or Rebates for Solar Panel Installation

These programs and incentives are designed to encourage the adoption of solar energy and enhance energy efficiency across the United States. Homeowners and businesses should check the specific details and eligibility criteria for each program, as they can vary by region and are subject to change.

Here is a list of United States government grants or incentives for solar panels:

  • Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC): The ITC provides a tax credit of 26% of the cost of installing solar panels on your home. This credit is available for installations completed in 2023 and 2024. The ITC will gradually decrease to 22% for installations completed in 2025, and to 0% for installations completed after 2025.

  • Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Funding Opportunities: The DOE SETO offers a variety of funding opportunities for solar energy projects, including research and development, demonstration projects, and deployment initiatives. These funding opportunities can provide financial assistance to homeowners, businesses, and organizations that are installing solar panels.

  • USDA Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans and Grants: This program provides guaranteed loans and grants for renewable energy projects, including solar panel installation. The program is available to homeowners, businesses, and agricultural producers in rural areas.

  • HUD Energy-Related Federal Financial Assistance Programs: HUD offers a variety of energy-related federal financial assistance programs, including the Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Program, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Program. These programs can provide funding for solar panel installation in affordable housing projects, community development projects, and single-family homes.

  • State and Local Rebates and Incentives: Many states and localities offer rebates and other incentives for solar panel installation. These incentives can vary widely, but they can provide significant savings on the cost of solar panels.

  • Utility Net Metering: Net metering is a policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar energy they generate back to the utility grid. This can help offset the cost of electricity usage during periods when the solar panels are not generating enough power.

  • Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): SRECs are tradable certificates that represent the environmental benefits of generating solar energy. SRECs can be sold to utilities or other entities that are required to meet renewable energy mandates.

  • Property Tax Exemptions: Some states and localities offer property tax exemptions for solar panel installations. This can help reduce the overall cost of ownership for solar panels.

These are just a few of the many government grants and incentives for solar panels that are available in the United States. The specific incentives that you may be eligible for will depend on your location and the type of solar panel installation you are considering. It is important to research the incentives available in your area before you make a decision about installing solar panels.