alt.energy.renewable

. Allen wrote:
> RadicalModerate wrote:

> > recovery then the City increases their house assessment to a point where

> IIRC, in California such an increase is prohibited by law. Don't know
> about anywhere else, though.

California Tax Code Section 73 has been misrepresented by the solar
industry. In California, it is very important that adding solar to an
existing structure not be counted as new construction that would trigger a
re-evaluation of the entire property. That would be a financial disaster
for someone who had been in the house for a while, and is seeing the
benefits of "Prop 13" limits on property valuation increases. Solar
systems fall into the same category as construction to repair damage from
misfortune or calamity. The improvements will be added to taxable
valuation after sixteen years.

Solar in California is not exempt from property tax. As a matter of
practice, a solar installation will not be added to the existing tax value,
which is sometimes done with other additions that fall below a certain
percentage of the value of the property. This is not an exemption that is
required by law.

For new construction, or resale of an existing property, the solar
installation will be assessed as part of the property.

Sales tax is imposed on solar equipment.

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: ,-