Residential Solar Energy Tax Credit

The summary below describes this credit as it was, and is available for informational purposes.   West Virginia passed legislation in June 2009 authorizing its solar energy tax credit for residential installations. The tax credit, which is 30% of the cost to purchase and install the system, is capped at $2,000. Eligible technologies include systems that use solar energy to generate electricity, heat or cool a residence, or provide hot water or solar process heat for use in the residence. Solar systems for heating a pool or hot tub are not eligible. The solar energy systems installed to provide hot water must derive 50% or more of its energy to heat or cool from the sun. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's liability, the unused portion of the credit may be carried forward to "each of the next taxable years" until it is used (but may not be carried forward past July 1, 2014). Taxpayers must complete Schedule SETC and file it along with their personal state tax returns.