Idaho's Solar Rebates and Incentives

Idaho, a truly breathtaking state, full of wildlife, lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and white-capped mountain peaks. If you love the great Northwest, this is the state for you. Especially in an area such as this that get's its share of harsh winter weather, it might be in your best interest to invest in an alternative energy source. Here is a breakdown of the solar incentives offered within the state.

Although full of brisk clean air, Idaho unfortunately doesn't offer an abundance of solar incentives. The current governor tends to lean more towards nuclear energy, but here is what is currently in place.

Tax Incentives

• Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction. This tax incentive program applies to residential sectors. It allows for Idaho residents to deduct up to 40% the first year and 20% the next three years in income taxes for the installation of solar systems that generate heat or electricity.
• Renewable Energy Equipment Sales Tax Refund. This refund is for commercial, residential, and industrial sectors that create a facility out of solar components that produces 25kW or more of electricity in a given year. The taxpayer, if eligible, can receive up to a 100% refund of any sales or use tax that they initially paid.

Grants

• BEF - Renewable Energy Grant. This grant program applies to local government and nonprofit and tribal government sectors. It offers grants where applicable for up to 33% of the total cost of the installation of photovoltaics, solar thermal electric, and other alternative energy sources.
• BEF - Solar 4R Schools. This grant is for schools and actually offers up to 100% for a 1.1kW solar system and up to 33% for other renewable energy systems.

Production Incentives

• Northwest Solar Cooperative Green Tag Purchase. This program rewards almost any sector that produces enough extra energy by solar systems to sell back the "green tags" to the utility at a rate of $0.02kWh up to 50kWh per year.

Loans

• Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs. This is a state loan program that applies to almost all sectors. It offers various loan amounts depending on the sector at a 4% interest rate with a 5-year term.

In addition, the various utility companies throughout the state offer net metering programs for individual areas. You might inquire as to any programs offered by your specific utility. Even though behind some of the more progressive states, Idaho is at least making a decent effort to offer some incentives to her residents. Hopefully, the state will continue to make progress in this area.