By Ryan Randazzo | The Republic | azcentral.com
Arizonans who support solar power, especially those who already have solar technology for their homes, face five key issues this year that could affect their finances:
- Thousands of homeowners, churches and schools who lease rooftop solar will see new tax bills this year unless state lawmakers take action to stop the fees.
Arizonans who own solar panels don’t pay property taxes on them, but the Arizona Department of Revenue has decided that the exemption does not apply to solar panels that are leased.
The department sent valuation notices to companies, such as Sunrun Inc. and SolarCity Corp., that own solar systems and lease them to homeowners and commercial properties. The companies have clauses in their contracts that would pass the tax bills on to their leasing customers.
The bills could be about $150 a year for homeowners and several thousand dollars a year for churches, schools and other large properties. The first payments are due in October.
Related: Utilities Fight For Revenue Lost To Solar Power (NPR audio)
Expect nonstop energy drama in 2015 (POLITICO)
