solar investment tax credit update businesses 2022

Solar Investment Tax Credit Update 2022

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) 2022

Time is running out to save on solar for your commercial property and business.

If you’ve been thinking of going green, now is the time to lock in the biggest savings. The solar investment tax credit (ITC) will remain at 26% until the end of the year, when it will drop by four percent and continue its decline. All solar energy projects that begin construction this year will be eligible for the 26% tax credit. The credit will drop to 22% in 2023 for all market segments, including commercial and residential, then down to 10% permanently for the commercial and utility markets in 2024. The tax credit for residential properties will come to a close in 2024.

Commercial and utility-scale projects that have started construction before December 31, 2023, may still qualify for the 26% or 22% ITC if they are placed in service before January 1, 2026. Check the IRS-issued guidance for information and to see if your project qualifies for this incentive.

Why Business Owners Should Invest in Solar

Since the ITC was enacted in 2006, the U.S. solar industry has grown by more than 10,000% – creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and investing billions of dollars in the U.S. economy. For commercial property owners, solar benefits the bottom line with the ITC equal to 26% of the basis that is invested in an eligible solar property that has begun construction. But beyond the economic benefits, solar is the smart choice for our environment.

Benefits of Direct Ownership Over Shared Solar

Most businesses are looking to offset some or all of their electricity use with solar power, making solar an ideal economic and environmental solution. Simply put – solar is good business. Consumers and employees alike value sustainability now more than ever.

Property owners have a choice when it comes to investing in solar. The two most common choices are direct ownership through installing a solar panel system on your building, or a shared solar program that allows business owners to lease solar power generated by community grids without installing a system.

Direct Ownership Solar

Direct ownership, or installing a solar panel system at your commercial property, gives the owner complete control over their solar investment. Solar systems can be customized to your needs – you can power a percentage of your building’s electricity use, offset usage in common spaces, or provide car canopies and electric vehicle charging stations. One of the biggest benefits of direct ownership is the tax credit and rebates. In addition, a solar array investment often increases property values and generates an average return on investment in less than ten years.

Shared Solar Programs

A shared solar program allows home and property owners to subscribe to a solar energy project in their community. Participants receive a credit on their utility bill for their portion of the clean energy produced. While this is an easy way for businesses to go green without footing the upfront cost of installing solar panel systems, the availability of shared solar is limited, and businesses do NOT receive the benefits from ownership like tax credits or reduced energy costs.

Solar is an investment in the future of our state. Florida is leading the way in solar energy, ranking #4 nationally for solar. The typical solar investment can see a return on investment (ROI) in five to 10 years when using the ITC and accelerated depreciation. Advanced Green Technologies value ROI based on energy consumption combined with intangibles such as preserving the rooftop and other additional benefits.

Don’t wait any longer. Take advantage of the highest tax credit available for solar and get your project estimate today. For a free solar site analysis, call (800) 638-6869 or click here.

What is PACE Solar Florida

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Solar Financing Programs are Helping Business and Commercial Property Install Solar Panels in Florida

With utility costs on the rise and the price of solar systems declining, the switch to solar energy can be a cost-effective alternative for many business owners. While going green saves money in the long-run, the high upfront costs of solar can be daunting. To help promote sustainability, the State of Florida approved the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for local governments to implement. PACE makes solar more accessible by giving commercial property owners access to low-interest financing through an approved third-party provider to cover the upfront costs of solar solutions, which are paid back over time through a voluntary tax assessment levied on the property.

How Does PACE Solar Financing Work?

PACE provides financing for a variety of eligible improvements to a commercial property, including energy efficiency, HVAC, hurricane protection improvements and more. The program offers 100% financing at competitive fixed rates over the useful life of the improvements, up to 30 years (rates for commercial projects vary depending on the term), which allows for the cost savings gained from solar to be used to pay back the initial investment. Property owners that voluntarily choose to participate in a PACE program repay their improvement costs over a set time period through property assessments, which are secured by the property itself instead of the owner and paid as an addition to the owners’ property tax bills. Thinking of moving? The assessments can transfer ownership if a property is sold as long as the buyer agrees to take over the PACE obligation and the new first mortgage holder allows the PACE agreement to remain on the property.

There are five active PACE programs in Florida offering commercial financing:

CounterPointeSRE – Every county and city in Florida is invited to take part in the Florida PACE Funding Agency (FPFA), a single purpose local government making its PACE program available to any subscribing Florida city or county. The CounterPointeSRE Program is the commercial PACE program offered by the FPFA and operates in more than 20 counties in Florida, including Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
Ygrene Energy Fund – Ygrene is the exclusive administrator of the Clean Energy Green Corridor District of over 85 municipalities, including the cities of Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Miami, Miami Shores, South Miami, Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay.
Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF) – Administers St. Lucie County’s commercial PACE program
RenewPACE – A program of the Florida Green Finance Authority (a partnership of local governments from across Florida), RenewPACE works with multiple banks and financial institutions to offer the only Open Market-based PACE finance program in Florida to help commercial property owners finance renewable energy improvements.
Leon County Commercial PACE Program

PACE Solar Financing Benefits

In addition to being a feel-good investment that resonates with employees, tenants, and customers, solar reduces energy costs for commercial property owners, stimulates the economy through local job creation, and increases commercial property values. PACE provides its own set of benefits for commercial businesses, one of which is allowing business owners to keep the rebates and tax incentives that come with solar while receiving financing. Other benefits include:

PACE provides an innovative solution for capital improvements, especially for businesses with a limited capital budget
Gain control over energy costs with lower utility bills, improving cash flow and capital costs which can be seen as soon as the first year following project completion
The assessment may qualify as an operating expense and not an investment and therefore not subject to ROI limitations
PACE financing optimizes a building’s capital stack with potential for off-balance sheet treatment and no acceleration clauses
Since PACE financing is a tax, it may be reported similar to other line item taxes on the property’s income statement (always check with your tax preparer)
Non-ad valorem assessment for tax purposes
There are no balloon payments, so the terms match the useful life of the solar solution
Fixed interest rates up to 30 years
100% financing of the entire cost of the project, including all soft costs such as permits, inspections, pre-paid service/warranty contracts and design fees
Closing costs can be capitalized
Maturities between 5-30 years up to the estimated useful life of the improvement
Prepayment is not required upon sale or refinancing of the property

More than 60 cities and counties throughout the state of Florida have PACE financing programs in place. This number will continue to grow as more communities experience the many benefits of going green.

Contact us today for more information on how your business can benefit from PACE Financing Florida.

fpl-solar-rebate-program-florida-advanced-green-technologies

FPL Solar Rebate Program Ends January 14th

Commercial Building Owners this is your last opportunity to receive a $50,000 FPL Solar Rebate and 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit together for installing solar. We may never see incentive this good again in Florida.

Advanced Green Technologies is pleased to announce that Florida Power and Light (FPL) will continue its Solar Rebate Program for 2015. Early applications will be accepted online starting January 14, 2015 at 8:30AM on a first come, first serve basis. In previous rounds, we’ve seen the $5 million dollar rebate fund exhausted very quickly – the last program filled up within minutes.

Why Act Now?

• Final year of FPL Solar Rebate Pilot Program
• 30% Federal Tax Credit expires in 2016
• Quick ROI: Positive cash flow after 1 year
• Financing available for qualified customers
• Receive up to $50,000 for three sites
• Reduce operating costs
• Decrease your carbon footprint
• Increase the value of your property
• No commitment to purchase

Pre-qualify Now Before It’s Too Late

2015 is the last year commercial building owners can receive a $50,000 FPL Solar Rebate and 30% Federal Tax Credit together. Contact us today and submit your application early to ensure that your solar project comes to life before the sun sets on these incentives. One great part about pre-qualifying is that once approved you’ll receive funding guaranteed.

Advanced Roofing and Advanced Green Technologies completed more than 100 solar installations in 2014.

Our team is here to provide you with a complete solution from start to finish. Our commitment to quality ensures you receive the best customer experience by providing the most accurate solution for your needs using premium materials and award-winning craftsmanship. Join our many satisfied customers that have already seen the light.

100% Application Submission Success Rate. Let Us Show You How.

We know some of you have missed out on the past FPL Solar Rebate offers due to technical difficulty and funds drying up. Our team has successfully submitted applications every round, and we would like to offer you training on how to submit yours. Call us today and we can walk you through the steps, or let us submit it for you.

Watch Our Interview with WSVL-TV about the FPL Solar Rebate Program,

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Solar Rebates & Incentives