Solar Loan on Self-Employed Home Office

[Apples 521]

During the summer of 2022 we had a $30k solar system installed on our house.  We paid down a portion up front, but do have a solar loan.  As of February 2, 2023 I became self employed and am working out of our home office- a dedicated room that is equal to 10% of our square footage.  For most of the year we have only a $7 base charge from the utility company and a few months of the year we'll get a utility bill when we didn't produce enough to offset our electricity usage.  When we receive the electricity bill, its easy enough to calculate 10% of that as a business expense.  But am I able to recognize any portion of our monthly solar loan payments as a business expense?   I'm assuming I may have to depreciate it?  Could someone walk me through how I'd do this in Turbo Tax and what Turbo Tax software I should be using if I am self employed, but my spouse is a regular W2 employee?

[MarilynG1]

First of all, see if you qualify for a Solar Energy Credit of 9K.  

If you qualify for the Solar Credit, you would deduct the amount of the credit from the Asset Cost Basis, which you would depreciate 10% of over 39 years. 

You could claim 10% of the interest on the solar system as a Home Office Expense each year. 

You can use any TurboTax above Deluxe for your return (to prepare Schedule C), though a TurboTax Desktop product is recommended if you want to have direct access to Forms and Worksheets.