30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·
::UTILITY_REBATES
Utility Solar Rebate Programs: Where to Find Them
Utility solar rebates are direct cash incentives paid by your electric utility to subsidize installation cost. Unlike tax credits, rebates land as a check or invoice deduction shortly after installation — but they carry a critical tax-credit interaction homeowners need to understand.
States With Utility Rebates
51 states have utilities running active rebate programs. Click into any state for the specific terms.
Your installer applies for the rebate on your behalf, typically as part of the system's interconnection paperwork. Some utilities pay you directly; others credit the installer who passes the savings through on your invoice. Most programs are first-come, first-served until annual budget caps are reached.
How Utility Rebates Combines With Federal ITC
Critical: cash rebates from utilities reduce the basis on which the federal 30% credit is calculated. A $24,000 install with a $1,500 utility rebate has a federal-credit basis of $22,500, yielding a $6,750 federal credit instead of $7,200. The rebate still nets out positive — but model this carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are utility rebates taxable?
Generally no — they are treated as a price reduction, not income. They do reduce the federal tax credit basis as described above, which has a similar net effect.
How do I find current rebate programs in my area?
Contact your utility directly — programs change frequently. The DSIRE database (dsireusa.org) tracks active programs. Most local installers maintain current rebate availability lists.
Can rebates run out before I install?
Yes. Many utility rebate budgets exhaust mid-year. If a rebate is critical to your project economics, secure your application slot early — most utilities issue reservations at design submission rather than at installation completion.