The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a 30% tax credit for any solar system, residential or commercial. That means nearly one third of the cost of a solar system is deducted from any taxes owed next time you file. If you don’t owe enough in taxes to claim the whole credit, the remaining amount rolls over into future years! This can have a huge impact on businesses and individuals alike.

It’s important to note that the 30% credit is effective through 2019, then drops to 26% in 2020, 22% in 2021, and then to 0% in 2022 for residential credit but maintains a permanent 10% for commercial credit. If you’ve been thinking about investing in solar, now is the time to do so. For more details about the credit visit the Solar Energy Industries Association website.

In addition to the federal tax incentive – tax credits are also available through your state taxes. Check out the directory to find out what savings exist in your state.

The only requirement for the solar tax credit is owning a system that is powered by solar energy. Leasing a solar powered system does not quality for the solar ITC. The person or organization that you’re leasing from would get the tax credit. [source]

Claiming the solar tax credit is easy. If you discover that you qualify for the solar tax credit, fill out Form 5965 from the IRS found here. This form will certify that you are qualified to receive renewable energy credits. Then, just add your renewable energy credit information to a standard 1040 form found here, and you’re done!

Since the Energy Policy Act was passed in 2005, the solar industry has grown tremendously. With the price-per-watt of solar panels at an all time low and efficiencies higher than ever, individuals and organizations are saving billions a year by switching to solar.

This growth is expected to continue rising exponentially over the next five to ten years, especially as countries such as the United States, China, and India continue to construct massive solar farms. Applications of solar energy are expanding beyond solar farms and roof installations as well. Solight, for instance, uses solar energy to power mobile light towers as a clean, inexpensive, and equally bright replacement to diesel light towers.