Editor's note: In August of 2022, the president signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, thereby increasing the solar Investment Tax Credit to 30% for the purchase of solar systems and solar battery storage through 2032.*Federal and state tax credits vary and are subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding these solar tax credits and how they apply to your specific circumstances. Learn more about the clean energy benefits of the IRA and how you can save when going solar.
Solar power is a famously great investment and the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) can make it irresistible. But the time to redeem ITC at its maximum value is running out, so homeowners should take advantage of it while they can.
The ITC provides homeowners with a tax credit on a percentage of the cost of their solar system.*Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information. This makes solar’s clean-energy approach much more economical.
Throughout 2022, the ITC for residential properties will remain equal to 26 percent of the amount invested in an eligible solar property, as long as the construction begins before 2023.
But homeowners need to move fast if they want to save money with the ITC. Starting in 2023, the tax credit will “step down” to 22 percent. In 2024, it will completely phase out for homeowners.
The ITC helps homeowners because it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that can be applied to the income taxes you owe. For example, if you purchase your solar system for $20,000, you could receive a tax credit of $5,200. And if you don’t have a high enough tax bill to claim the entire credit in one year, you may be able to roll over the remaining amount to future years, as long as the tax credit is still in effect.
Solar customers can use the ITC to offset expenses for their solar panels. It also covers labor costs and developer fees. Solar storage units like SunVault apply as well, as long as they’re charged only by solar panels associated with the storage system.
Keep in mind that the type of solar system financing you choose matters when claiming the ITC. This credit generally applies only to those who purchase their solar system. Homeowners who lease solar equipment or use a solar power purchase agreement usually cannot benefit from the ITC.
The ITC has been a huge driver of solar growth in the U.S., expanding 10,000% since the tax credit was first enacted in 2006. SunPower has worked hard to keep the ITC in place and helped secure an extension of it by Congress in 2020. Even when the ITC steps down for residential customers completely in 2024, many similar state and local solar incentives will remain.
The ITC and state and local programs will save you money, and choosing SunPower for your installation can lock in savings for the long haul by putting the solar industry’s efficient solar panels on your roof. SunPower’s residential solar panels produce 55% more energy over 25 years than conventional panels and save more on your electricity bills, too.*SunPower 400 W, 22.6% efficient, compared to a Conventional Panel on same-sized arrays (280 W multi, 17% efficient, approx. 1.64 m²), 8% more energy per watt (based on PVSim runs for avg US climate), 0.5%/yr slower degradation rate (Jordan, et. al. Robust PV Degradation Methodology and Application. PVSC 2018).
SunPower solar panels also are rated No. 1 in third-party durability testing*Jordan, et. al. Robust PV Degradation Methodology and Application, PVSC 2018 , which means they can withstand the nastiest of weather conditions and still power your home day in, day out.
Our highly trained dealer network and Master Dealers will be glad to fill you in on the many ways SunPower can help you save money on energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. Find out more by calling 1-800-SUNPOWER.
