Indiana residents and business owners have the chance to learn how the federal tax credit of 26% has been extended through this year for installing solar panels on houses, farm structures and places of business during an upcoming Zoom meeting.

Net metering in Indiana, however, will be available through June 2032 if installed by the end of June this year. Installations after that will not qualify for net metering.

The Zoom meeting, sponsored by Solarize East Central Indiana, a grassroots community group affiliated with Solarize Indiana, will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by an hour for questions and answers.

There is no charge to attend, but prior registration is required. The registration link can be found at facebook.com/solarizeECI or by sending an email to Carolyn Vann at [email protected] or John Vann at [email protected]. They are co-team leaders of Solarize ECI.

One of the main benefits of working with Solarize ECI and Indiana Solarize is group pricing that reduces the costs of installing a solar system. When home, farm and business owners work through Solarize ECI and have the vetted solar company install their panels, they will receive a 10% discount from the solar panel company, Carolyn Vann said.

Adding solar panels to structures also permits more energy independence with less exposure to increasing utility bills, Carolyn said. Adding solar will not increase the owner’s property taxes, but the addition of solar has the potential to increase property sales value.