Local Option – Property Tax Exemption

Vermont allows municipalities the option of offering an exemption from the municipal real and personal property taxes for certain renewable energy systems (Note: state property taxes would still apply). Eligible systems include but are not limited to “windmills, facilities for the collection of solar energy or the conversion of organic matter to methane, net-metered systems … and all component parts thereof, but excluding land upon with the facility is located.” Adoption of this exemption varies by municipality, but the exemption generally applies to the total value of the qualifying renewable energy system and can be applied to residential, commercial, and industrial real and personal property.

Note: Solar photovoltaic systems under 50 kW that are net-metered or are not connected to the grid and only provide power to the properties on which they are located are already currently exempt from municipal property taxes under 32 V.S.A. § 3802(17) (see Uniform Capacity Tax and Exemption for Solar).