For All of Us
Federal Incentives for Solar
A federal investment tax credit for solar energy is currently available to commercial developers.
Link here to read the Investment Tax Credit Statute and the 2000 instructions for filing for the investment credit. Link here for the actual 2000 form for filing.
Information on a proposed new tax incentive for solar on homes can be found here.
Other Fact Sheets on Federal Incentives
The Maryland chapter of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has provided information on this incentive on its Website:
Federal Incentives for Commercial Solar Applications
In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) has a reference brief on Financial Incentives for a Business to Invest in Renewable Energy Systems.
Federal Financing Booklet
In addition to tax credits, the government has authorized several special financing mechanisms for solar energy systems. These are summarized in a March 1999 booklet, The Borrower's Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems: A Federal Overview, (PDF 207 KB) (Learn about PDFs) which has been prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Small Business Administration. Staff at Fannie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) also provided valuable input. This booklet provides an overview of authorized programs that can make it easier and more affordable for consumers, farmers and ranchers, and other business owners to install and use cost-effective solar energy systems for heat and electricity.