We added solar panels on as an option to a new build and paid 20,000 extra have them installed. Can we claim them as a home energy credit?

[solarscherer]

We constructed a house for a base price and had them add on solar panels for extra 20,000. We closed on the house after the construction was complete and solar panels were installed, but we paid for the solar panels and it is in our contract as an added option we paid for. Can we claim these solar panels for the energy credit?

[Vanessa]

Yes, if you had solar panels installed on your home you can you this for the Home Energy Credit.

"Qualified solar electric property costs are costs for property that uses solar energy to generate electricity for use in your home located in the United States. No costs relating to a solar panel or other property installed as a roof (or portion thereof) will fail to qualify solely because the property constitutes a structural component of the structure on which it is installed. The home doesn't have to be your main home."  https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i5695#idm139799611350096

[solarscherer]

Turbo Tax Deluxe indicated that energy credits didn't apply to new construction. Can we still claim this energy credit even though we chose to have the solar panels added on during the construction of our home?

[Vanessa]

I see where it says "It turns out energy saving improvements related to new home construction don't qualify for some common energy credits.  We'll skip those and only ask about the energy credits you qualify for"  Is that the statement you are talking about?

If you hit continue after it tells you that, you will see that solar credits are allowed still.  

[solarscherer]

phew! Thanks.