Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves tax credit for communal solar projects, cap set at $2,000
Summary
The House passed House Bill 201 to create a tax credit for participants in community or municipal solar systems; the credit is limited to $2,000 per participant and cannot be claimed alongside existing renewable‑energy credits.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House passed House Bill 201 on Feb. 26 to create a tax credit aimed at communal or municipal solar installations so residents who cannot place panels on their homes can buy shares and receive bill credits or a tax credit.
Representative Bradley Last, speaking for the Sunshine Caucus and citing interest from St. George, described the proposal as a way for condominium owners, HOA residents and others who cannot mount rooftop systems to participate in renewable energy. "The idea is...individuals in the community would have an opportunity to invest in the solar system rather than putting the panels on their homes directly," Last said on the floor.
The bill prevents double‑dipping: participants may take the new communal‑solar credit or the traditional renewable‑energy credit, but not both. The sponsor also noted the credit is limited to 25 percent of qualifying expenditures and further capped at $2,000 per participant. "The credit is limited to $2,000," Representative Last said.
Representative Perez asked whether the cost of buying a share would exceed the value of the credit; Last answered affirmatively, noting the credit was intended as an incentive but that participants would bear the majority of project costs. The House approved HB201 (69–0) and sent it to the Senate for further consideration.
What’s next: The bill moves to the Senate where committees will examine fiscal and implementation details for community solar pilot projects and credit administration.
