Federal Government Incentives
The following financial incentives are available in 2010 from the US Government.
For more information visit the DSIRE website: http://www.dsireusa.org/
Residential Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Other Solar Electric Technologies
Applicable Sectors: Residential
Amount: 30%
Maximum Incentive: Systems installed after December 31, 2008, no maximum.
Carryover Provisions: Excess credit may be carried forward to succeeding tax year
Eligible System Size: Not specified
Equipment/Installation Requirements: Solar water heating property must be certified by SRCC or by comparable entity endorsed by the state.
At least half the energy used to heat the dwelling's water must be from solar in order for the solar water heating property expenditures to be eligible.
Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass,
Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, CHP/Cogeneration, Solar Hybrid Lighting, Direct Use Geothermal, Microturbines
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Utility
Amount: 30% for solar, fuel cells and small wind;
10% for geothermal, microturbines and CHP
Maximum Incentive: Fuel cells: $1,500 per 0.5 kW
Microturbines: $200 per kW
All other eligible technologies: no limit
Eligible System Size: Small wind turbines: 100 kW or less
Fuel cells: 0.5 kW or greater
Microturbines: 2 MW or less
CHP: 50 MW or less
Equipment/Installation Requirements: Fuel cells, microturbines and CHP systems must meet specific energy-efficiency criteria
New York State Incentives
The following financial incentives are available in 2010 for New York State residents.
For more information visit the DSIRE website: http://www.dsireusa.org/
New York State Personal Income Tax Credit:
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Fuel Cells
Applicable Sectors: Residential, Multi-Family Residential
Amount: 25% for solar-electric and solar-thermal systems; 20% for fuel cells
Maximum Incentive: $3,750 for solar-energy systems installed before 9/1/06; $5,000 for solar-energy systems installed on or after 9/1/06; $1,500 for fuel cells
Carryover Provisions: Excess credit may be carried forward five years
Eligible System Size: 10 kW maximum for net-metered solar-electric systems, except 50 kW for solar systems owned by condominium or cooperative housing associations;
25 kW maximum for fuel cells
Equipment/Installation Requirements: Systems must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards
NYSERDA PV Incentive
Incentive Type: State Rebate Program
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Photovoltaics
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Institutional, (Must be customer of investor-owned utility in NY)
Amount: $1.75/watt DC; Incentive may be reduced for potential production losses associated with shading, system orientation, tilt angle, and other factors
Maximum Incentive: Maximum determined by sector and incentive amount.
Residential: $13,750
Non-residential: $112,500
Non-profit, gov't, schools: $56,250
Numbers above include all possible bonus incentives for BIPV, Energy Star Homes
Eligible System Size: None specified, but systems may not exceed 110% of demonstrated energy demand.
Equipment Requirements: Systems must be new, UL-listed, and compliant with all applicable performance and safety standards; minimum five-year warranty on all equipment and two-year warranty on battery back-up systems.
Installation Requirements: Installation must comply with all federal, state and local codes; must be grid-connected and installed by a pre-approved contractor; must comply with New York's Standard Interconnection Requirements
Funding Source: RPS surcharge
Expiration Date 06/30/2010
Project Review/Certification Systems may be inspected by NYSERDA and/or other authorities having jurisdiction; Performance monitoring and data reporting required for first 3 years of system operation
Web Site: http://www.powernaturally.org/Programs/Solar/incentives.asp
Property Tax Exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Exemption
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Daylighting, Anaerobic Digestion
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Agricultural
Terms: 15-year exemption
Website: http://www.orps.state.ny.us/
assessor/manuals/vol4/part1/section4.01/sec487.htm
Sales Tax Exemption
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Exemption
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics
Applicable Sectors: Residential
Amount: 100% Exemption
Note: This applies to the 4% New York State Sales tax only. Counties, Cities and other local tax jurisdictions have
differing rules regarding sales tax exemptions for solar systems. For more information check the New York State Department of Taxation
Publication 718-S