Question by Short: Can you take a Residential Energy Credit for solar accent lights?

Tax form 5695. You are permitted to get a tax credit for 30% of solar items that “uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in your home”.

Does this include solar items that do not attach to your home’s electrical grid? Meaning things like: self contained solar outdoor flood lights, solar driveway lights, solar shed lights, etc? They are still used in my home, and still save energy, just not attached to the home’s main power source.

I’ve got some other stuff that i have to fill out the form for anyway, just wondering if i can also get credit for these as well?
Just saying yes or no without any sort of explanation doesn’t really help matters.

If it is allowed, why?

if not…. why?

Sources are helpful.
Also, where is the line? If I wanted to switch out some of my 120v AC lights to solar, and go with 12V, rewire the house so I don’t convert to AC, as its fairly wasteful, would that then count? There has to be a point at which it would qualify.

even if that point is ‘it must attach to the power grid’.
Alright, thanks. I had already seen the Energy star site, my contention was just what qualified as ‘electricity for the residence’.

It’s hugely vague. Example: Solar panels on roof with battery system, and power inverter. It’s got a 120V AC plug, and you can wire it ‘for the residence’… would that count? Again, I’m asking where the line is. does it have to attach to power grid, is that the final line, or just 120V AC in your house
As one final note

the official IRS tax law states

“uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit ”

for use in a dwelling.

So, to me this means, geez, if i have a solar powered flashlight that i keep in my house for when i need it… for me to use…. inside of my dwelling, or “use in a dwelling”.

Same goes for accent lights. So, why do you two still think that its a definite no? Is it the whole inside/outside thing? ‘in a dwelling’ in the general case, would that be null and void as soon as you step outside of your house. Is your property/yard not considered part of your dwelling?

“uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in a dwelling unit ”
Seems pretty clear. it doesnt say
And bostonian,
huge difference between ‘to’ and ‘for’

Can I please get an answer by someone who actually knows whats going on?

Best answer:

Answer by Bostonian In MO
No, solar accent lights do not qualify for the credit.

Here’s a listing of what qualifies for the credit: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index#s4

Note what it says about photovoltaic panels: Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.

The rinky-dink photo cells on accent lights merely recharge internal batteries on the light unit itself. They do not provide electrical power to the residence and as such do not qualify for the credit.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!