Solar Space Heat

Renewable Energy Standard

Note: The Arizona Corporation Commission is currently considering changes to the state's Renewable Energy Standard in Docket No. RE-00000A-24-0026.

In November 2006, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) adopted final rules to expand the state's Renewable Energy Standard (RES) to 15% by 2025, with 30% of the renewable energy to be derived from distributed energy technologies. In June 2007, the state attorney general certified the rule as constitutional, allowing the new rules to go forward, and they took effect 60 days later. Investor-owned utilities and electric power cooperatives serving retail customers in Arizona, with the exception of distribution companies with

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Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), created by S.B. 1030 on November 30, 2004, requires each electric distribution company (EDC)* and electric generation supplier (EGS) to retail electric customers in Pennsylvania to supply 18% of its electricity using alternative-energy resources by 2020.** 

Eligible technologies

The eligible alternative energy resources are categorized into two “Tiers”. The standard calls for utilities to generate 8% of their electricity by using "Tier I" energy sources and 10% using "Tier II" sources by May 31, 2021. 

Tier I sources include new and existing facilities which produce electricity using the following sources/technologies

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Colorado Solar/Wind Easements and Rights Law

Colorado's solar access laws, which date back to 1979, render void any covenants, restrictions, or conditions that prohibit “renewable energy generation devices” or “energy efficiency measures”. Renewable energy generation devices include solar energy devices and wind-electric generators that meet the state’s interconnection standards. Energy efficiency measures include awnings, attic fans, energy efficient lighting, and clotheslines, among other technologies. Some exceptions are made for both renewable energy devices and energy efficiency measures for safety requirements and aesthetic purposes that do not significantly increase the cost of the device or decrease its performance. 
Colorado also allows property owners to agree voluntarily to
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Indiana Solar Easements & Rights Laws

Indiana state law includes both covenant restrictions and solar easement provisions. The state's covenant restrictions prevent planning and zoning authorities from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting the use of solar energy. Indiana's solar easement provisions are similar to those in many other states. Although they do not create an automatic right to sunlight they allow parties to voluntarily enter into solar easement contracts which are enforceable by law. Passive solar structures are explicitly included in the type of solar-collection equipment that may be protected by solar easements.

In March 2022, Indiana adopted a bill, H.B. 1196, preventing homeowners' associations from

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City of Portland - Green Building Policy and LEED Certification

In 2001, the City of Portland adopted a Green Building Policy requiring new construction and major renovations of all city facilities to meet the Certified level of LEED. This policy was amended on April 27, 2005 by Resolution Number 36310, which was adopted by the Portland City Council. At that time, the Green Building Policy was changed to require new buildings to meet the LEED Gold standard. Additionally, the 2005 changes required LEED EBOM Silver for existing buildings. This policy was further amended in April 2009, with the passage of Resolution Number 36700. This resolution includes measures to incorporate the

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City of Los Angeles - Zoning Code

Chapter I of Los Angeles' Municipal Code, Height of Building or Structures, provides an exemption for solar energy devices, or similar structures. They may be erected above the height limit specified in the district in which the property is located. In all zones, solar devices may exceed the roof surface by 3 feet even if the roof surface is at or above the allowable building height limit. In all zones except R1 and more restrictive zones, solar devices built on a flat roof may exceed the roof surface by up to 15 feet. In the R1 and more restrictive zones

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Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (Corporate)

Utah's individual income tax credit for renewable energy systems includes provisions for both residential and commercial applications. The Utah Office of Energy Development administers the tax credit and has responsibility for revising the tax credit rules and certifying systems as eligible for the credit. Legislation (section 5) enacted in 2007 extended these tax credits through at least 2012. On or before this time, and every five years thereafter, the Utah Tax Review Commission must review the tax credit and make recommendations as to whether the tax credit should be continued, modified, or repealed. 

Residential Systems:

The individual income tax credit

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Solar Contractor Licensing

Solar Photovoltaics

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors does not offer a general solar electric contractor license, but the state's R-11 and C-11 electrical licenses cover solar electric installations. R-11 licenses are required for electrical work on residential property and C-11 licenses apply to commercial installations. Contractors can also acquire a CR-11 license to work on both residential and commercial installations. A-17 and K-11 licenses are also applicable for PV installation.

Solar Water Heating

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors does have a specific plumbing license which includes solar water heaters. R-37 is required for contractors installing or performing maintenance on residential

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Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption

Solar energy systems have been exempt from Florida's sales and use tax since July 1, 1997. The term "solar energy system" means the equipment and requisite hardware that provide and are used for collecting, transferring, converting, storing, or using incidental solar energy for water heating, space heating and cooling, or other applications that would otherwise require the use of a conventional source of energy such as petroleum products, natural gas, manufactured gas or electricity. 

This exemption was originally set to expire on July 1, 2002, but it was extended for three more three years. In May 2005, the exemption was

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Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Connecticut provides a property tax exemption for "Class I" renewable energy systems* and hydropower facilities** that generate electricity for private residential use. The exemption is available for systems installed on or after October 1, 2007, that serve farms, single-family homes or multi-family dwellings limited to four units. In addition, "any passive or active solar water or space heating system or geothermal energy resource" is exempt from property taxes, regardless of the type of facility the system serves. Public Act No. 22-25 added electric vehicle charging stations, refueling equipment for fuel cell vehicles, and zero-emission school buses as eligible technologies beginning

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