Is it worth it to pay $250 to have the Installer License account for Enphase IQ Envoy

[Lvb]

I typically just use the website. Which app are you using? On Google Play, I see My Enlighten, Enlighten Manager and Installer Toolkit.

As site owner we only have access to My Enlighten.

[Epiphany2000]

I typically just use the website. Which app are you using? On Google Play, I see My Enlighten, Enlighten Manager and Installer Toolkit.

[Lvb]

Lvb, I just noticed that my production data from yesterday is showing up on My Enlighten. Today shows nothing. It seems like there is a data processing backlog on Enlighten's servers.

Just checked my Enlighten app eight now and i see the "My Envoy" tab again. Are you experiencing it too?

look like they remove update my firmware too. Last night, Envoy showed my firmware day as last updated Nov 17, 2017, just now, the firmware date is Aug 28, 2018.

[J.P.M.]

I don't think it works exactly this way. I believe you need to have tax liability to apply the credit against, not necessarily an amount owed. Not allowing you to take the credit simply because you don't owe taxes seems wrongheaded to me. If you overpaid your taxes by $1000 and then you applied a tax credit of $5000, I suspect that Uncle Sam's (figurative) reaction would be, "Thanks for the interest free loan. Here's a refund for $6,000"

I agree that anonymous sources are often sketchy, but I'm going to cite one now.



Source - https://joinmosaic.com/how-does-fede...x-credit-work/

Talk to your accountant.

[Epiphany2000]

So, let's say if my total taxes i have to pay for 2018 is $25000, and filing income tax (without claiming the 30% solar tax credit) give me a $3000 refund.

then my solar is $21000, 30% of that is about $6700. So claiming that on the income tax filing, my refund would be $3000 + $6700 = $9700 refund for 2018??

That is my interpretation, yes. I'll be in a similar boat for this year's taxes, as my wife and I have a lot of deductions in addition to the solar credit.

[Lvb]

I don't think it works exactly this way. I believe you need to have tax liability to apply the credit against, not necessarily an amount owed. Not allowing you to take the credit simply because you don't owe taxes seems wrongheaded to me. If you overpaid your taxes by $1000 and then you applied a tax credit of $5000, I suspect that Uncle Sam's (figurative) reaction would be, "Thanks for the interest free loan. Here's a refund for $6,000"

I agree that anonymous sources are often sketchy, but I'm going to cite one now.



Source - https://joinmosaic.com/how-does-fede...x-credit-work/

So, let's say if my total taxes i have to pay for 2018 is $25000, and filing income tax (without claiming the 30% solar tax credit) give me a $3000 refund.

then my solar is $21000, 30% of that is about $6700. So claiming that on the income tax filing, my refund would be $3000 + $6700 = $9700 refund for 2018??

[Lvb]

Lvb, I just noticed that my production data from yesterday is showing up on My Enlighten. Today shows nothing. It seems like there is a data processing backlog on Enlighten's servers.

Yup. It updated at midnight yestersay for Sat's production. However, nothing was updated for this morning yet.

[Epiphany2000]

Lvb, I just noticed that my production data from yesterday is showing up on My Enlighten. Today shows nothing. It seems like there is a data processing backlog on Enlighten's servers.

[Epiphany2000]

All lights were solid green but no production update since 9am this morning.

Is you production still not being reflected on My Enlighten? If so, I think I'm going to start a new thread about this. Mine is still down.

[Epiphany2000]

It's not getting a refund that's the problem (if it can be called a problem). It's not owing any tax to get a credit against. Any unused federal solar tax credit from solar projects completed in one year can be carried forward to subsequent years. Stop over withholding if that's the cause of your refunds...

I don't think it works exactly this way. I believe you need to have tax liability to apply the credit against, not necessarily an amount owed. Not allowing you to take the credit simply because you don't owe taxes seems wrongheaded to me. If you overpaid your taxes by $1000 and then you applied a tax credit of $5000, I suspect that Uncle Sam's (figurative) reaction would be, "Thanks for the interest free loan. Here's a refund for $6,000"

I agree that anonymous sources are often sketchy, but I'm going to cite one now.

If you already paid taxes by withholding them from your paycheck, the federal government will apply the tax credit to a tax refund...
Example 1:

Homeowner #1 buys a $30,000 solar system, meaning they are eligible for a $9,000 tax credit (30% of system costs). Through their employment they pay the government $9,000 in taxes, but this is withheld on their W-9 so they end up paying nothing when they file. In this example, when the federal tax credit is applied to the $0 balance they pay the government, they receive a tax REFUND of $9,000... (removed language about applying the refund to a mosaic loan, since it is not relevant to the discussion). Example 2:

Homeowner #2 also buys a $30,000 solar system but they only pay the federal government $4,500 in taxes because they were on a fixed income. This customer did not withhold any money from their paychecks and pays the full $4,500 when they file. When the $9,000 tax credit is applied, they can only claim $4,500 of it because they only paid that much in taxes. In this example, the customer does not have to pay any taxes that year but they also will not receive a refund check from the IRS.

Source - https://joinmosaic.com/how-does-fede...x-credit-work/

[J.P.M.]

Yes, my price is before 30% tax rate. It's a non refundable tax credit. So make sure u owe tax in order to claim that. If u get a refund, you won't be able to get it. I'm planning to increase my exemption next year and claim it next year, not this year since i usually get a refund.

my installer offers the same thing if i want to do my roof, but my roof was only about 8 yrs old.

It's not getting a refund that's the problem (if it can be called a problem). It's not owing any tax to get a credit against. Any unused federal solar tax credit from solar projects completed in one year can be carried forward to subsequent years. Stop over withholding if that's the cause of your refunds. Or convert IRA funds to ROTH IRA, etc. In any case, see a tax advisor before taking free advise from what are anonymous sources. See a tax advisor.

Also (free advice from an anonymous source), be careful about what you claim as credit for a roof. You'll probably get your tit in the ringer if you get audited and it's discovered you claimed a 30 % credit on a 2,000 ft.^2 roof and have a 300 ft.^2 array. Wholesale puppy porking is frowned upon by the IRS. Just sayin'.

[Lvb]

Is the price you paid before or after tax credits?

As it were, we had our panels installed while the roof was being replaced. Thus, 30% of the entire project (roof and solar) will be taken as a tax credit.

Yes, my price is before 30% tax rate. It's a non refundable tax credit. So make sure u owe tax in order to claim that. If u get a refund, you won't be able to get it. I'm planning to increase my exemption next year and claim it next year, not this year since i usually get a refund.

my installer offers the same thing if i want to do my roof, but my roof was only about 8 yrs old.

[Epiphany2000]

I only paid $2.9/w (i bargained from $3.7 down to $2.9).

Is the price you paid before or after tax credits?

As it were, we had our panels installed while the roof was being replaced. Thus, 30% of the entire project (roof and solar) will be taken as a tax credit.

[Epiphany2000]

Yeah, the cost of installation is a major factor. I got multiple quotes beforehand, and this was the best deal.

[Lvb]

I have Panasonic 330 watt panels as well, 3.96kW system. I paid $4/watt (before tax credits). I went for a relatively small system since my usage is minimal, and credits for overproduction are chump change ($0.02 - $0.04 per kWh).

Wow... that's kinda pricey, did u negotiate?. I only paid $2.9/w (i bargained from $3.7 down to $2.9) I guess cause you have a smaller size so they charge higher price.