Home Electricity Generation and Battery Storage
Federal Solar Tax Credit: The federal investment tax credit (ITC) of 30% per solar installation has been renewed and extended through 2030. This Energy.gov website, Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics, provides good information on this tax credit.
Federal Battery Storage Technology Tax Credit: As of 2023, all residential storage systems over 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in size are eligible for a 30% federal investment tax credit. Credits for years before 2022 and after 2023 are lower. Info from energystar.gov at the above link.
Local SMPA Energy and Resiliency Rebates
Colorado has traditionally been a great place to "catch the sun". However, one should be careful to properly size (and not oversize) renewable energy generation like solar as many electricity providers, including SMPA, have rules that make excess production less desirable. SMPA "net metering" rules are good to review but may change over time. While solar is certainly encouraged, electricity generated during the day is generally less valuable than that generated at other times (e.g. the evening when demand is high), and potential future time-of-use utility rates could lengthen the "pay-back time" for solar. Adding up front costs, including batteries in your solar system could let you capture more value for your excess solar (by powering your home loads during the evening or "on peak" times, instead of getting lower rate credit by sending excess power back during "off peak" times) as well as providing your home with back-up power during any unplanned power outages.
Federal Battery Storage Technology Tax Credit: As of 2023, all residential storage systems over 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in size are eligible for a 30% federal investment tax credit. Credits for years before 2022 and after 2023 are lower. Info from energystar.gov at the above link.
Local SMPA Energy and Resiliency Rebates
- Solar Photovoltaic Residential: Rebate amount: $0.10 per watt Maximum amount: Up to 3kW or $300
- Small Wind (and hydro?) Residential: Rebate amount: $0.10 per watt Maximum amount: Up to 3kW or $300
- Home Battery Rebates: $750 for RE/PV battery systems of 6kWh or larger (Does not apply to IC generators) (Must be programmed for SMPA Peak Mon - Sat, 4 PM - 10 PM))
Colorado has traditionally been a great place to "catch the sun". However, one should be careful to properly size (and not oversize) renewable energy generation like solar as many electricity providers, including SMPA, have rules that make excess production less desirable. SMPA "net metering" rules are good to review but may change over time. While solar is certainly encouraged, electricity generated during the day is generally less valuable than that generated at other times (e.g. the evening when demand is high), and potential future time-of-use utility rates could lengthen the "pay-back time" for solar. Adding up front costs, including batteries in your solar system could let you capture more value for your excess solar (by powering your home loads during the evening or "on peak" times, instead of getting lower rate credit by sending excess power back during "off peak" times) as well as providing your home with back-up power during any unplanned power outages.