American solar energy incentive programs are increasing every year. California’s Million Solar Roofs initiative is the latest of a number of solar energy tax breaks being legislated in the US.
You can read about state and local incentives on the DSIRE database.
Here is a list of Federal initiatives from the database (taken from dsireusa.org):
Corporate Depreciation: Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS)
Corporate Exemption: Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Corporate)
Corporate Tax Credit: Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit
Solar and Geothermal Business Energy Tax Credit
Federal Grant Program: Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
Tribal Energy Program Grant
Value-Added Producer Grant Program
Federal Loan Program Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM)
Energy Star Financing and Mortgages
Tax-exempt Financing for Green Buildings, Renewable Energy & Brownfield Redevelopment
Personal Exemption: Residential Energy Conservation Subsidy Exclusion (Personal)
Production Incentive: Conservation Security Program (CSP) Production Incentive
Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI)
Green Power Purchasing/Aggregation: Federal Government – Green Power Purchasing Goal
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Incentives and Policies: U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program
For Canadian residents, the Canadian Solar Energy Industry Association provides a list of government incentives.




January 27th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Solar power isn’t just the future, it’s the present. This is such a great investment at any level right now whether you are a homeowner, business owner, or entrepreneur looking to break into the renewable energy business.
Googling anything on your list gets you a ton of excellent information. The links are very useful too. Thanks.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Interesting to know about, I enjoyed reading your blog.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
As lame as it sounds, I found this searching for attic vent info. M
February 17th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I am about to build a rafting company in TN on the Ocoee River. We want to run the showers and heated floors off solar thermal panels and are currently looking for our cheapest way. I can build anything and this will probably be how I save the majority of the costs. Also, holding tanks, manifolds, expansion tank, or instant heat unit; I am looking for someone that has detailed out the cheapest place to purchase. I can pay you by free ocoee rafting trips!! Thanks!
May 26th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Thanks for sharing. More tax breaks are going to help the Eco-friendly, solar energy, solutions to flourish.