Take a Solar Powered Tax Holiday!

Go Back To Recent Blog Posts
Feb 11, 2017

Why pay for the war when you can put solar on your roof instead?  The solar tax credits make that possible.

The solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is one of the most important federal policy mechanisms to support the deployment of solar energy in the United States.

Quick Facts

The ITC is a 30 percent tax credit for solar systems on residential (under Section 25D) and commercial (under Section 48) properties.

The existence of the ITC through 2021 provides market certainty for companies to develop long-term investments that drive competition and technological innovation, which in turn, lowers costs for consumers.

In Detail

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is currently a 30 percent federal tax credit claimed against the tax liability of residential (Section 25D) and commercial and utility (Section 48) investors in solar energy property. The Section 25D residential ITC allows the homeowner to apply the credit to his/her personal income taxes. This credit is used when homeowners purchase solar systems outright and have them installed on their homes. In the case of the Section 48 credit, the business that installs, develops and/or finances the project claims the credit.

A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income taxes that a person or company claiming the credit would otherwise pay the federal government. The ITC is based on the amount of investment in solar property. Both the residential and commercial ITC are equal to 30 percent of the basis that is invested in eligible property which have commenced construction through 2019. The ITC then steps down to 26 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021. After 2021, the residential credit will drop to zero while the commercial and utility credit will drop to a permanent 10 percent

…And a Sales Tax Holiday!

Until the middle of 2018, there is no sales tax due for grid-connected solar projects that are less than 10 kW, and a 75% sales tax rebate for systems that 10 kW and above through 2020.

About The Author - Jeremy Smithson

Started Puget Sound Solar in 2001 with 30 years of construction contracting experience, and a desire to turn Seattle on to solar energy. Achieving NABCEP certification in 2004, Jeremy believes that our customers often follow a path similar to the one he took, starting out with solar daydreaming, then progressing to education on the subject, and eventually leading to action. In addition to leading the company he also does some teaching and speaking engagements about various aspects of solar energy, and experiments relentlessly with various solar, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle projects.

Other News

Go Back To Recent Blog Posts

Free Quote

    If you would like to expedite your free quote, please upload photos of your electrical bill, your electrical panel with the door open, and any plans or architectural renderings (if this is a new build).
    Note that the file size limit is 25MB.
    * What files are recommended to attach?
    If you would like to expedite your free quote, please upload photos of your electrical bill, your electrical panel with the door open, and any plans or architectural renderings (if this is a new build).
    Note that the file size limit is 25MB.