- About the CSI
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- Cash Back for Solar
- Eligibility
- How the Process Works
- How to Apply
- Documents and Handbooks
- Rebate Amounts and Decreases (program structure) 2007
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- Find Your Utility
- Solar 101
- Federal Tax Credits
- How Photovoltaics and Efficiency Can Save you Money
- Nonresidential Solar
- Solar for Low-Income Housing
- Solar Thermal Systems
Federal Tax Credits
In addition to rebates available through the California Solar Initiative, you can save on your new solar electric power system by taking an income tax deduction of up to 30% of the eligible equipment cost (with a cap of $2,000 for residential systems). You can deduct even more for purchasing a range of energy efficient products and systems.
The following information is provided courtesy of Andy Black, President of OnGrid Solar, at www.ongrid.net © 2006, all rights reserved).
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Note: The following information regarding taxes, tax credits and depreciation is meant to make the reader aware of these benefits, risks and potential expenses, and help avoid claims by aggressive salespeople. It is not tax advice, and the author is not a qualified tax professional. Please seek professional advice from a qualified tax advisor to check the applicability and eligibility before claiming any tax benefits or exemptions.
Tax incentives include tax credits and depreciation. The Federal Investment Tax Credit for Residential is 30 percent of net system cost, capped at $2,000. It is a one-time credit, but may be carried forward (and possibly back) if not completely useable in the system installation tax year. It only applies for systems that are installed in 2006 and 2007. Congress is likely to extend it past its current 2007 expiration date. Check back for updates. Also, the IRS hasn't produced the form required for claiming this credit for individual filers.
The Federal Investment Tax Credit for Commercial and Business owned systems is 30 percent of net system cost with no cap. This applies for systems that are installed in 2006 and 2007. After 2007, if not extended, the tax credit will revert to the permanent level of 10 percent. The IRS current federal Form 3468 is available at www.irs.gov/formspubs. In the past, this credit could be carried forward fifteen or back three years. It's not clear if this has changed.
Business owned systems may also be eligible for MACRS 5-year Accelerated Depreciation using IRS federal form 4562. For more info on commercial tax benefits and for updates on the CSI & IRS rules and forms, see the online version of the article at: www.ongrid.net/papers/PaybackOnSolarSERG.pdf.
A source for information on all state and federal incentive programs around the country is available at the DSIRE project: www.dsireusa.org. In addition, the Solar Energy Industries Association (www.seia.org) has put together a "Guide to Federal Tax Incentives for Solar Energy," available for free at www.seia.org/manualdownload.php.
Residential customers in higher income tax brackets see comparatively more value because residential electricity expenses are paid with after-tax dollars-they aren't tax deductible.
Tax treatment of the incentives depends on the type of customer, and possibly the type of incentive. For additional information on tax treatment, see the online version of the article at: www.ongrid.net/papers/PaybackOnSolarSERG.pdf. Of course, municipal and non-profit entities do not have to worry about these tax issues, as they are generally tax-exempt. More detailed information on solar finance and tax considerations is available from the Northern California Solar Energy Association's Solar Energy Resource Guide, at http://norcalsolar.org. Also see the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (www.energytaxincentives.org/tiap-solar-energy-systems.html) for more information on solar and energy efficiency tax credits.