Solar Water Heat

Massachusetts LEED Plus 2.0 Standard for New Construction

In April 2021, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed Executive Order 594, titled “Leading By Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government.” This order establishes numerous energy targets and mandates for all executive branch agencies and all public institutions of higher education. 

These include the following:

  • Reduce overall site energy use intensity (EUI), defined as weather-normalized Btu per square foot, from a 2004 baseline at state owned buildings by 20% in 2025, and by 25% in 2030.
  • Reduce state government unadjusted greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and vehicles from the 2004 baseline by 25% by 2025, 35% by 2030
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Solar Energy Gross Receipts Tax Deduction

New Mexico has a gross receipts tax structure for businesses instead of a sales tax. Businesses are taxed on the gross amount of their business receipts each year before expenses are deducted. Revenue generated by the sale and installation of solar systems used to provide space heat, hot water, or electricity to the property on which it is installed may be deducted from gross receipts before the gross receipts tax is calculated. Dark-colored water tanks exposed to sunlight, including all equipment necessary for the installation and operation of the water tank as a part of the overall water system of

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Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems

In May 2007, Maryland established a property tax exemption for residential solar energy systems. Under this law solar energy devices “installed to heat or cool a dwelling, generate electricity to be used in the dwelling, or provide hot water for use in the dwelling” were exempt from state -- but not local -- property taxes. However, in April 2008 H.B. 377 was enacted, repealing this exemption beginning July 1, 2008. In place of the rescinded exemption, H.B. 377 inserted another provision exempting solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water systems from real property taxes. The exemption now applies equally to

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Renewable Portfolio Standard

New Hampshire’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), established in May 2007, requires the state’s electricity providers -- with the exception of municipal utilities -- to acquire by 2025, renewable energy certificates (RECs) equivalent to 25.2% of retail electricity sold to end-user customers. The RPS includes four distinct standards for different types of energy resources; these are classified as Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV.

Class I - New Renewable Energy. This class addresses electricity or “useful thermal energy” generated by any of the following resources, provided the generator began operation after January 1, 2006, except as noted below

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Sustainable Building Tax Credit (Corporate)

S.B. 463, enacted in April 2007, established a personal tax credit and a corporate tax credit for sustainable buildings in New Mexico. The tax credits apply to both commercial and residential buildings. Commercial buildings which have been registered and certified by the U.S. Green Building Council at LEED Silver or higher for new construction (NC), existing buildings (EB), core and shell (CS), or commercial interiors (CI) are eligible for a tax credit. The amount of the credit varies according to the square footage of the building and the level of certification achieved, as indicated on the following chart:

Commercial Buildings

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Sustainable Building Tax Credit (Personal)

S.B. 463, enacted in April 2007, established a personal tax credit and a corporate tax credit for sustainable buildings in New Mexico. The tax credits apply to both commercial and residential buildings. Commercial buildings which have been registered and certified by the US Green Building Council at LEED Silver or higher for new construction (NC), existing buildings (EB), core and shell (CS), or commercial interiors (CI) are eligible for a tax credit. The amount of the credit varies according to the square footage of the building and the level of certification achieved, as indicated on the following chart:

Commercial Buildings

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USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Loan Guarantees

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in rural America to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities, use renewable technologies that reduce energy consumption, and participate in energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.

Renewable energy projects for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program include wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, and hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources. These grants are limited to 25% of a proposed

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U.S. Virgin Islands - Solar and Wind Easements & Rights Laws

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the owner of a solar or wind-energy system is permitted to negotiate for assurance of continued access to the system’s energy source. "Solar or wind-energy system" is defined as "any system that converts, stores, collects, protects or distributes the kinetic energy of the sun or wind into mechanical, chemical or electrical energy to provide power generation for the heating of water, the heating and cooling of buildings or other structures, and other similar purposes."

Furthermore, any covenant, condition or restriction contained in any deed, contract, mortgage, security instrument or other instrument pertaining to a conveyance

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Local Option - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Note: See the supplemental Sales & Use Tax Topics: Renewable Energy Components Form for more information.

Colorado enacted S.B. 07-145 in April 2007, authorizing counties and municipalities to offer property or sales tax rebates or credits to residential and commercial property owners who install renewable energy systems on their property. 

Eligible renewable energy property is defined as "any fixture, product, system, device or interacting group of devices that produce electricity from renewable resources, including, but not limited to, photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, small wind systems, biomass systems, or geothermal systems."

The incentive is administered at the local level by

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Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

Colorado enacted SB07-145 in April 2007, authorizing counties and municipalities to offer property or sales tax rebates or credits to residential and commercial property owners who install renewable energy systems on their property. 

Local governments can enact incentive payments or property tax rebates under certain circumstances related to economic development. A county, municipality, or special district can enter into negotiations for an incentive payment with owners of new business facilities. A county, municipality, or special district may also negotiate an incentive payment or credit with owners of existing business facilities, located in their jurisdiction, based on verifiable documentation demonstrating that

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