Are IRA tax benefits a viable option for energy storage facilities?

While the vitality of the IRA tax benefits in their current form is currently subject to uncertainty given the results of the 2024 federal general election, the existing market practice for financing energy storage facilities since the IRA’s passage continues to evolve in reaction to the act’s new requirements and opportunities.

How has the energy storage industry progressed in 2024 & 2025?

The energy storage industry has continued to progress over the course of 2024 and into 2025, buoyed in significant part by the federal income tax benefits in the form of tax credits enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).

Will the inflation Reduction Act affect energy storage projects?

Image: President Biden via Twitter. The Inflation Reduction Act’s incentives for energy storage projects in the US came into effect on 1 January 2023. Standout among those measures is the availability of an investment tax credit (ITC) for investment in renewable energy projects being extended to include standalone energy storage facilities.

Are energy storage projects eligible for a refundable ITC?

Energy storage projects owned by taxable entities are not eligible for a refundable ITC, but instead can take advantage of the new transferability rules. The IRA added a provision to permit project owners (other than tax-exempt entities) to make an election to transfer the ITC to an unrelated third party.

What regulatory guidance has the government released on energy storage?

Of particular importance to the energy storage industry, the government has released final regulatory guidance for the ITC (both Section 48 and 48E of the Code), prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) requirements, and transferability and direct payment, as well as other guidance on the energy community and domestic content tax credit “adders.”

What is the ITC rate for energy storage projects?

Energy storage installations that begin construction after Dec. 31, 2024, will be entitled to credits under the technology-neutral ITC under new Section 48E (discussed below). The base ITC rate for energy storage projects is 6% and the bonus rate is 30%.