The Arizona Solar Center's mission is to promote the utilization of solar energy throughout Arizona. And in case you haven't noticed, in the past five or six years this usage in the state has skyrocketed.
From the more than 25,000 rooftop solar generators to the utility-scale solar power plants producing clean electrons, the solar equipment sector is enjoying tremendous growth throughout Arizona.
As much as the Solar Center would like to believe our efforts have been a critical factor to that success, that would be a stretch. The real drivers of this sudden increase has been favorable public policy in the form of incentives that have stimulated the development of innovative solar business models.
But as the old adage goes: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” Although that saying originated in the 1860s, it still has a strong ring of truth to it -- especially in Arizona, and especially this year.
Solar energy advocates who have long found receptive policy makers at the capital at least willing to listen to their proposals are finding the legislative mood toward solar energy has changed a lot in the past couple of years.
While Arizona is on the front-lines in this new battle to preserve the legislative victories of the past, the attack on clean energy policies is not just happening here, and the pushback is not the product of a grassroots movement. The attacks are being orchestrated in large part through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a public-private partnership of state legislators, corporate America and the general public. With membership dues starting at $7,000, though, it isn't exactly your local Kiwanis Club.
At its annual policy summit in Washington D.C. last winter, ALEC promoted legislation with goals ranging from penalizing individual solar rooftop homeowners to weakening state clean energy regulations. Last year, ALEC sponsored at least 77 energy bills in 34 states. According to an analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy, these measures included efforts aimed at rolling back renewable energy standards.
Realizing that there exists a need in Arizona for a clearinghouse of information on legislative proposals that have both positive and negative impact on solar energy use in our state, the Arizona Solar Center has developed and implemented an interactive legislative tracker on our website. The tracker allows readers to post comments in support and against the proposals, or to provide other insight into any particular bill and its status. The Solar Center's role is to serve as a moderator in providing this forum to help keep all Arizonans informed. This is your forum to have your say on issues benefitting the grid, the economy, our air, and our health.
Jim Arwood
Communications Director
Arizona Solar Center
Question: Arizona law provides that rooftop solar units used to generate electricity on-site for a home or business are not assessed property tax. But, beginning next year the Department of Revenue will include leased solar panels in their evaluation to determine property values for tax purposes. Two bills, HB2595 and SB 1467 both attempt to clarify the issue – HB2595 would make leased systems subject to property tax, while SB 1467 would exclude them from property assessment just like any other rooftop solar unit. Both bills appear stalled in committee. How should leased systems be treated to determine property tax?
