Resources: Credits and Incentives

Take Advantage of Solar Tax Credit and Incentives

The federal government is serious about solar powered lighting and has developed two programs designed to make it very attractive to go solar. Earn a 30% tax credit on the solar equipment of your project. This program is available until 2016 and is designed for commercial corporations that actually pay federal income taxes.

The federal government has also developed an incentive program to install solar lighting by December 31, 2010. Unlike the tax credit, the incentive program is open to all commercial corporations that install a qualified solar system. As with the solar tax credit, it is only available on the solar equipment, and the installer must submit a form for reimbursement. Upon approval, 30% of the cost of the solar equipment will be sent directly to the company.

Solar Tax Credit Example
$400,000 solar lighting project total cost
$100,000 less fixture cost
$100,000 less pole cost
$100,000 less other non-solar cost
$100.000 solar material cost
30% tax credit
$30,000 Tax Savings

Solar Incentive Example
$400,000 solar lighting project total cost
$100,000 less fixture cost
$100,000 less pole cost
$100,000 less other non-solar cost
$100.000 solar material cost
30% solar incentive
$30,000 Check from Government