New York Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
New York - Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
Summary: Enacted in August 1997, this personal income tax credit originally applied to expenditures on solar-electric (PV) equipment used on residential property. The credit, equal to 25% percent of the cost of equipment and installation, was expanded in August 2005 to include solar-thermal equipment. The solar-thermal provisions apply to taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2006. |
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Contact: Taxpayer Assistance - Personal Income Tax Information Center
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
W.A. Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12227
Phone: (518) 457-5181
Phone 2: (800) 225-5829
Web Site: http://www.tax.state.ny.us
NYSERDA - PV Incentive Program
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Summary: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provides incentives of $2 to $5 per watt (DC) to eligible installers for the installation of approved, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. The maximum capacity supported by the program is 8 kW for residential systems; 80 kW for non-residential systems; and 25 kW for non-profits, schools and municipalities. Larger systems are eligible for incentives, but incentives may only be received for installed capacity up to the program caps. Incentives are only available to eligible installers, and incentives must be passed on to customers. Once eligible, installers reserve incentives for approved systems, for specific customers, on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as funds are available. During 2008 and 2009, this program will provide $75.3 million in funding for PV systems.* The program continuously accepts applications from installers who seek to participate. The goal is to increase the network of eligible installers across the state, offering customers a choice of qualified or certified installers in their area. Installer eligibility will be determined and maintained based on factors such as acceptance of all program terms and conditions, training, installation experience, track record related to utility interconnections, overall performance, monitoring, customer references, customer satisfaction, and commitment to become certified through a national certification program. NYSERDA is providing accredited training opportunities for PV installers to the greatest extent possible. Training opportunities are posted at www.powernaturally.org. The program web site (listed above) provides a list of eligible installers. There are currently more than 80 installers on the list. Program incentives effective February 3, 2009, based on direct-current (DC) module ratings at standard test conditions, are as follows:
Incentives will be paid to installers in two increments and are tied to specific installation milestones. The first incentive payment, or 75% of the total incentive amount approved by NYSERDA, will be paid after all system components have been delivered to a customer’s site and the appropriate form is completed, submitted and approved by NYSERDA. The second incentive payment, or the remaining 25%, will be paid after a PV system has been connected to the utility grid and/or inspected by NYSERDA or its representatives and the appropriate form has been completed, submitted and approved by NYSERDA. The Energy Star Home bonus incentive will not be paid until the home has been registered with the New York State Builders Association. Customers who pay the state's RPS charge are eligible to participate in the PV Incentive Program. These includes customers of the following utilities: Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. NYSERDA will hold the title to renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with the system's energy production for a period of three years, after which REC ownership will revert to the customer/generator. PV incentives are available for many end-uses (building or non-building) and sectors, including the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional, educational and non-for-profit facilities, and government sectors. Incentives provided to customers under this program may not be combined with any other incentive programs offered by NYSERDA, such as a dollar-per-watt incentive, designed to directly offset the cost of a PV installation. However, commercial incentives may be combined with assistance from the Energy Smart Loan Fund to the extent such assistance is available. *The original Customer-Sited Tier Operating Plan authorized $13.8 million for this program during 2008 and 2009. However, discretionary funding amounting to $4.4 million was later added in order to meet program demand. Supplements of $20.6 million (PSC order) in October 2008 and $21.5 million (NYSERDA reallocation) were made through February 2009 in order to keep the program open. Finally, an additional $15 million in program funding was authorized in June 2009 by order of the PSC, bringing total 2008-2009 funding to $75.3 million. The June 2009 PSC order contains a detailed description of this progression. |
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Summary: New York enacted legislation in July 2005 exempting the sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state's sales and compensating use taxes. The exemption applies to solar-energy systems that utilize solar radiation to produce energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water and/or electricity. The exemption does not apply to solar pool heating or other recreational applications. There does not appear to be an expiration date* for this incentive. The law also permits local governments (municipalities and counties) to grant an exemption from local sales taxes. If a city with a population of 1 million or more chooses to grant the local exemption, it must enact a specific resolution that appears in the state law. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance publishes a variety of sales tax reports detailing local tax rates and exemptions, including those for solar energy equipment. The solar sales tax list (Publication 718-S) is updated several times per year. *The New York Code contains duplicate sections NY CLS Tax § 1115 (ee). The first pertains to the sales tax exemption for residential solar energy systems and contains no expiration date, while the second contains rules for an unrelated exemption with expiration dates of December 1, 2010 and December 1, 2012. This appears to be a mistake that will not affect the sales tax exemption for residential solar energy equipment. |
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A personal, residential tax credit for solar water heat, solar space heat, photovoltaics, and fuels cells. Up to $5000 for solar energy systems and $1500 for fuel cells.
A state rebate program that providing rebates for $2 - $5 per watt DV. includes commercial, industrial, residential, nonprofit, schools, government, and institutional.
A 100% sales tax exemption for passive solar space heat, solar water heat, solar space heat and photovoltaics for residential applicants.
