Solar in Indiana
Hoosiers are embracing solar energy more than ever.
Solar energy is already being embraced in the state of Indiana, and these numbers are only projected to increase. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar in Indiana as of 2021:
- Solar installed: 939.1 MW
- Number of Installations: 4,742
- National ranking: 20th (down from 32nd in 2020)
- Enough solar installed to power: 111,763 homes
- Solar jobs: 3,364
- Solar Companies in the state: 80
- Total solar investment in the state: $1.2 billion
- Prices have fallen: 43% over the last 5 years
- Growth projections and ranking: over the next 5 years, another 4,549 MW of solar energy will be installed, bringing the state’s ranking down to 6th in the nation
Does solar work in Indiana?
As anyone living in the Midwest knows, the weather varies pretty considerably throughout the days, weeks, months, and years. This makes many homeowners a bit apprehensive as to if solar will work for their homes. However, even with highly variable weather, solar energy works for all due largely to net metering! Here’s how it works: during the day when the sun is shining, solar arrays in Indiana capture energy from the sun and convert it to energy that the building can use. It is likely that at this time, arrays will generate more energy than is needed. For buildings that are net-metered, the electricity meter will run backward to provide a credit for times when there is bad weather, during the nighttime, or any time when the electricity used exceeds what the system is producing. This means that even during bad weather or nighttime, your solar array and utility company have got you covered. The use of battery storage has also rapidly gained popularity throughout the United States. Battery storage works by storing the excess energy that the solar array generates during peak production hours. During nighttime or when the weather is poor, the array will simply pull energy from the battery to power the building. With a battery storage system, homeowners can gain energy independence by removing their reliance on their utility company and the grid, which is highly unreliable. It also gives homeowners peace of mind knowing that no matter what inclement weather may come their way, they will have energy created by their solar panels stored away for use, while those without solar are vulnerable to climatic episodes that could cause the grid to be inoperable. With net metering and battery storage, solar is a huge asset to homeowners in Indiana.
Benefits of owning solar in Indiana
Enhances home value: In addition to drastically lowering or removing your electric bill, adopting a solar PV system increases the value of your home. This is true due to solar increasing the resale value of your home and while also reducing the amount of time it takes to sell your home.
Affordability: As previously mentioned, solar prices are the lowest they have ever been, as they have decreased by 43% over the last 5 years. Reports have found that local solar truly costs less for all. This is also reflected in the wide variety of solar owners, including many low-to-moderate income households. With technologies that are constantly improving and considerable tax benefits, solar energy has never been more affordable in Indiana.
Indiana solar incentives: The first major tax benefit regarding solar in Indiana is the renewable energy property tax exemption. This ensures that for any new solar PV system installed in Indiana, the assessed value of the system is exempt from the owner’s property taxes. This means that while a solar system adds value to your property, this value cannot be counted when your property is being assessed for taxes. Another huge tax benefit in Indiana is the sales tax exemption, where many of the components of purchasing a solar system are exempt from sales tax. Specifically, there is no sales tax on the solar PV modules, racking, or inverters.
Federal tax benefits: Towards the end of 2020, Congress passed an extension of the federal investment tax credit (ITC). The ITC provides a 26% tax credit for solar systems installed before 2022. This rate will decrease to 22% in 2023, echoing again that the time for solar is now!
Solar Is Freedom®
In just a few short years, Solar Is Freedom® has become one of the best solar installers in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. We have grown exponentially, with offices in Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, OH, and Louisville, KY. Our company also has a 5-star rating with hundreds of satisfied customers who continually refer their friends and family members to us. If interested in discussing the potential of solar for your home, contact us today for a free, no commitment, consultation.
Resources for solar in Indiana:
Indiana Distributed Energy Alliance
State Energy Profile from the US Energy Information Administration for Indiana
