Residential

Current solar incentives, decreased costs of solar panels, and rising electric rates makes now the prime time to invest in solar.

1) 30 %Federal Tax Credit

• 30% of Photovoltaic or Solar Water Heating System .
• Learn more: Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit

2) Ameren Missouri - Solar Renewable Energy Credits Payment

• Ameren Missouri will pay $50 per SREC per year.
• 1 SREC = 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) of solar electricity.
• If your system is 10kW or smaller, Ameren will buy your SRECs for 10 years in one up-front, lump sum. If your system is 10kW - 100kW, they will purchase your SRECs for five years through annual payments.
• As an example, a 5 kW solar system produces 6 SRECs per year. 6 RECs x $50 x 10 years = $3000 payment from Ameren Missouri
• This is a limited time offer. All SCRE funds are expected to be allocated by March 2012.
• Learn more: www.ameren.com/sites/aue/Rates/Documents/umbe12216rdSP.pdf

3) Utility Solar Rebate

• $2/watt solar rebate offered by Ameren Missouri & Kansas City Power & Light
• Maximum rebate is $50,000 /25,000 watts.
• Learn more: Ameren Missouri & Kansas City Power & Light

4) Illinois Renewable Energy Solar Rebate Program

• 30% for residential and business applicants and 50% for public sector and non-profit entities.
• Maximum rebate of $30,000.
• Funds have already been allocated for 2011, but will likely be available again in 2012.
• Learn more at Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Commercial

Current incentives for a commercial solar system and installation drives pay. Payback is typically around 5 years or less.

1) 30% Federal Tax Credit

• 30% of Photovoltaic or Solar Water Heating System .
• Learn more: Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit

2) Rapid Depreciation and 50% year-one bonus depreciation

• Rapid Depreciation - 50% Bonus Depreciation
• Learn more: Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)

3) Ameren Missouri - Solar Renewable Energy Credits Payment

• Ameren Missouri will pay $50 per SREC per year.
• 1 SREC = 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) of solar electricity.
• If your system is 10kW or smaller, Ameren will buy your SRECs for 10 years in one up-front, lump sum. If your system is 10kW - 100kW, they will purchase your SRECs for five years through annual payments.
• As an example, a 10 kW solar system produces 12 SRECs per year. 12 RECs x $50 x 10 years = $6000 payment from Ameren Missouri
• This is a limited time offer. All SCRE funds are expected to be allocated by March 2012.
• Learn more: www.ameren.com/sites/aue/Rates/Documents/umbe12216rdSP.pdf

4) Utility Solar Rebate

• $2/watt solar rebate offered by Ameren Missouri & Kansas City Power & Light
• Maximum rebate is $50,000 /25,000 watts.
• Learn more: Ameren Missouri & Kansas City Power & Light

5) Illinois: Renewable Energy Solar Rebate Program

• 30% for residential and business applicants and 50% for public sector and non-profit entities.
• Maximum rebate of $30,000.
• Funds have already been allocated for 2011, but will likely be available again in 2012.
• Learn more at Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Want to know more?

• Accounting for PV System Rebates discusses accounting for solar systems and the federal tax credit, rebates, and depreciation:
• DSIRE, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, serves as the nation's most comprehensive, one-stop source of information on federal, state, local, and utility incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. DSIRE contains information on more than 2,200 programs and is accessible online for free at www.dsireusa.org.

StraightUp Solar, LLC recommends consulting an accountant regarding tax incentives. Information here is provided as a resource, but not tax advice.