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Nyserda Incentives Solar

New York property owners are eligible for a personal tax credit of up to 25% off a solar system installation. The maximum incentive for solar energy system is $5,000.

System sizes cannot exceed 10kW for residential photovoltaic solar systems. Condominium and cooperative housing associations are allowed up to 50kW per photovoltaic solar system.

If the tax credit exceeds your taxable liability, it may be carried forward for the next five tax years.

To take advantage of this personal tax credit, solar systems must meet the New York net metering law which limits photovoltaic systems to 10kW. However, the law was expanded in August 2008 with S.B. 7171; it allowed net-metering on residential photovoltaic solar systems less than 25kW. The state has not clarified whether or not the new net-metering law limits can be applied to this personal tax credit for solar systems.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) also offers rebates to photovoltaic installers. This New York State Energy Research and Development Authority solar incentive is equal to $1.75/watt DC. The solar system is subject to shading, system orientation, tilt angle, and other losses of solar performance. Production output may not exceed 110% of the required annual energy load. The maximum New York State Energy Research and Development Authority solar incentive amounts and system capacities are as follows:

Residential: $13,750, 5kW

Non-residential: $112,500, 50kW

Non-profit, government, schools: $56,250, 25kW

There are also local options to help property owners install solar. Photovoltaic systems have a 100% property tax exemption for up to 15 years. Another local option is a Municipal Sustainable Energy Program where property owners use Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to pay for renewable energy upgrades. In July 2005, New York made all sales and installations of residential solar-energy systems 100% exempt from the state sales tax and use tax.

The State of New York will benefit from distributed energy sources. By distributing energy sources, it promotes energy security and energy independence. With the New York Solar Tax Credit and other incentive programs, New York is well on its way to meeting their renewable energy goals.

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