Residential Solar Tax Credit

Program Overview

Implementing Sector State
Category Financial Incentive
State New York
Incentive Type Personal Tax Credit
Web Site http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/credits/solar_energy_system_equipment_credit.htm
Administrator New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Start Date 01/01/1998 (solar electric); 01/01/2006 (solar thermal)
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Photovoltaics
Applicable Sectors Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount 25% for solar-electric (PV) and solar-thermal systems; for third-party owned systems this is in reference to the aggregate amount owed under the contract rather than the amount owed in any single year
Maximum Incentive $5,000 for solar-energy systems
Eligible System Size 25 kW maximum, except 50 kW for solar systems owned by condominium or cooperative housing associations
Equipment Requirements Systems must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards
Installation Requirements Electricity generation systems must be grid connected and net metered.
Carryover Provisions Excess credit may be carried forward five years

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. The credit is capped at $3,750 for solar-energy systems placed in service before September 1, 2006, and capped at $5,000 for solar-energy systems placed in service on or after September 1, 2006.

In August 2012 the credit was amended yet again (A.B. 34) to allow it to be claimed for systems installed under lease or power purchase agreements (PPAs) of at least 10 years in length. For third-party owned systems, the residential homeowner may claim a tax credit in the amount of lease or PPA payments made during the taxable year, for up to 15 years. The 25% incentive for such systems refers to aggregate amount of payments owed rather than the amount made during any single year. The maximum allowable tax credit amount of $5,000 applies to the total amount of credits claimed regardless of the ownership arrangement.

Solar-energy equipment is defined as “an arrangement or combination of components utilizing solar radiation, which, when installed in a residence, produces energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water or electricity.” The credit may not be used for pool heating or other recreational applications. Any amount of credit that exceeds a taxpayer’s liability in a given tax year may be carried forward for the five following taxable years. Any portion of the system cost provided by a non-taxable federal, state, or local grant is not eligible for this credit.

In general systems must comply with the 25 kW capacity limit on residential, net-metered solar-energy systems. However, in 2007 legislation was passed increasing the capacity limit to 50 kW for condominiums and cooperative housing associations. In addition, members of condominium management associations and tenant stockholders of cooperative housing associations are now allowed to claim a proportionate share of the total system expense towards the tax credit. These changes took effect beginning in the 2007 tax year, but as with other portions of the tax credit, they do not have an expiration date.

Interested participants can claim for the credit through filling out Form IT-255 (Claim for Solar Energy System Equipment), including specific instructions for the credit.

 

Authorities

Name NY CLS Tax, Article 22 § 606 (g-1) et seq.
Date Enacted 08/02/1997
Effective Date 01/01/1998
Name A.B. 34 (2011-2012)
Date Enacted 08/17/2012
Effective Date 08/17/2012

Contact

Organization:
New York Department of Taxation and Finance
Address:
Building 9, W. A. Harriman Campus
Albany, NY 12227
Phone:
(518) 457-5181