SOLAR INCENTIVES

SOLAR INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT (ITC)

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is an important commercial solar incentive which incentivizes businesses to invest in solar energy. The financial benefit on offer enables commercial and industrial establishments to acquire a tax credit worth up to 26% of the cost of setting up a solar energy system. This commercial solar incentive enables businesses to efficiently manage their finances by providing them with an easily accessible federal tax break, which can be used to fund the purchase and installation of solar panels. For many commercial establishments, the ITC pays off significantly by reducing their initial investment costs on renewable energy systems and providing a financial cushion for future operations.

What is the Solar Investment Tax Credit?

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal income tax credit that can reduce your federal income taxes by 30% of project costs. This is a dollar-for-dollar reduction (under Section 48) in income tax liability. For example, if your system costs $100,000 – you will reduce your federal income tax liability by $30,000.

If I don’t pay federal income taxes, can I monetize the credit?

If you have no income tax liability due to other assets, or as a non-profit, there is no cash back option – currently. There is some legislation in the Build Back Better plan that could turn it from a credit to cash back. However, businesses with no tax liability often look at financing options like a commercial solar operating lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

How long will the ITC remain at 30%?

Businesses who install commercial solar systems between 2022 and 2032 are eligible for receive the full 30% tax credit. The credit will start to decrease to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034.

What does “construction begin” mean for the ITC?

To capture the current ITC credit in 2022, we must have a signed contract and complete 5% of the work. The work must be placed into service before January 1, 2026.

Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA) is a global energy solutions company. We supply customers in the US and Europe with electricity, including electricity generated from renewable resources and with natural gas. Through Genie Solar Energy and Prism Solar, we design, construct and install commercial solar energy solutions. We provide commercial and industrial clients with energy brokerage and consultative services through our Diversegy brand.

Case Studies

  • Commercial Solar Case Study Property Management Company
    Wiley Property Management Case Study

    The installation of the solar array on the roof of storage facility is leveraging a limited regulation called “Group Hosting”. Group hosting is a method where a group of businesses or individuals share the installation and use of a larger solar array on a single property.

  • Bake Crafters Commercial Solar Case Study
    Bake Crafters Food Company

    Bake Crafters’ commercial solar array is a remarkable example of sustainability in action. With an output capacity of 800 kW and predictions of offsetting 770 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

  • Integra Commercial Solar Case Study
    Integra Biosciences

    Integra Biosciences’ Commercial Solar project achieves 22% IRR and aligns with the company’s global sustainability goals and commitments. The two installations total 572-kW and generate enough power to offset 844,000 kWh.

  • Commercial Solar Case Study - Kraft Power
    Commercial Solar Case Study – Kraft Power Power

    Kraft Power utilized American made solar panels to install a 57.5 kW system on their roof. The new rooftop solar system, will help Kraft Power offset 100% of the electricity usage every year.

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Testimonials

Convinced to go solar by the New Jersey incentives, PCS Wireless looked at several solar companies to provide the best overall value. Genie Solar was able to design a unique system to offset the largest portion of their electricity usage. Additionally, we combine it with an exclusive financial product which minimized the cash out of pocket and maximized the return on investment. The 494 kW system was constructed in minimal time, with no impact on the businesses operations.
PCS Wireless
A provider of engine-generator systems, Kraft Power was a pioneer of “Total Energy” (Combined Heat and Power). After seeing the financial and green benefits of solar at their headquarters in Massachusetts, Kraft wanted to capitalize on the lucrative state incentives in New Jersey at a distribution center. By installing a 57.5 kW system on the roof they were able to offset 100% of their electricity usage, take advantage of the Investment Tax Credit, accelerated depreciation, and collect revenue from the New Jersey SREC program. Genie Solar made it a smooth process and limited the need for internal resources to manage the project.
Kraft Power
A premier provider of water treatment in the New York and New Jersey area, Tower wanted to go solar to save money and generate clean energy. Upon reviewing the financial benefits available in New Jersey with the SREC program and the federal Investment Tax Credit, they wanted to safe harbor the project in 2019 and construct in 2020. Buying American Made panels was an important component of the project, and by utilizing their white roof, Genie Solar was able to leverage Prism Solar’s bifacial panels to minimize the square footage needed and maximize the electricity generated. Genie Solar helped them achieve all of their goals in an efficient manner with a 44.6 kW system.
Tower Water
Cardoza had both a showroom and a distribution center with exorbitant electricity costs in New Hampshire. As a legacy business, it was important to reduce costs and protect the business from increasing expenses prior to passing it on to the owner’s children. The show room’s roof and location made it a less than ideal location for solar; but the vast roof and direct sunlight on the distribution center could generate enough solar to power both facilities, plus the owner’s house. Leveraging New Hampshire’s group host program, Genie Solar built one 99.7 kW solar array to power all three locations. The owner is now considering converting more equipment to solar and building a second array.
Cardoza Flooring
A destination nursery in rural New Hampshire, HBTSR was a long standing customer of Genie Solar’s sister company, Diversegy. After helping the business reduce electricity expenses for the past number of years, HBTSR turned to Genie Solar to reduce their rising electricity expenses over the long run. “Between the federal and NH state incentives, I was paid $8,000 to install my solar array. On top of getting money back, I am going to realize over $300,000 in savings during the 25 year warranty period of the solar array.”
House By The Side of the Road