Rebates

State of Alabama provides the option for local governments to provide exemptions or abatement for sales and use tax for qualifying renewable energy facilities in the State.  The state has a general sales tax of 4%, however, the renewable energy facilities qualify for 1.5% rate provision that is set for manufacturing and farm machinery. In addition to State sales tax, the local governments may also impose an additional sales or use tax. 

The exemption or abatement for both state and local sales/use tax are provided by the local granting authority. The local granting authority could be a city, county, or

Solar Installation plans, specifications and other data shall be submitted for permit to the Building Official. The fees for solar installation are as follows, $40 for two or less site inspection for final approval and $15 for each additional site inspection. The Energy Advisory Board acts as a board of appeals for the solar installation process. Specific certificates and licenses are required to install, repair, replace and alter solar energy systems and it is unlawful to do so without a certificate or license.

2023 Update

Wichita-Sedgwick County government is currently reviewing the permitting process for Solar Energy Systems. The current

Pima County has outlined its solar and wind permitting standards. The general requirements include a site plan and cut sheets for all system equipment. For solar photovoltaic (PV) systems a one line diagram with conductor and conduit sizes and types must be included. Click here for more information on solar PV system requirements. Solar hot water systems require a solar hot water schematic which includes the temperature relief valve. Wind energy systems are allowed one tower per residential lot.

It should be noted that depending on the project scope, your application may require prior approval from Regional Flood Control District

Under Miami-Dade's current permitting process PV projects may be permitted by submitting required documents through the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal.

Applicants seeking a permit for a solar PV system in Miami-Dade are required to submit the following items at the time of permit application:

• A completed Building Permit Application signed and notarized by the property owner and contractor.
• A completed Electrical Fee sheet signed by the contractor with the Electrical Category 34- Solar Photovoltaic information completed.
• Plans which contain all drawings and supporting documents in PDF format based on the

The purpose of this policy is to help define appropriate locations for solar energy systems, to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses, and to promote safe and effective use of solar energy to increase opportunities for renewable energy generation.

In general, solar energy systems are allowed in all zoning districts. Solar energy system must comply with the minimum yard requirements of the district where they are located. Screening of solar energy systems is not required. All lots in subdivisions of forty (40) acres or more shall be platted in an orientation to maximize solar exposure.

For building-mounted solar energy systems, the

In proposed subdivisions where a building configuration has been developed solar access easements shall be designed to protect solar access to proposed south roof and south wall areas and any proposed site for a solar energy system. For those subdivisions that have not been developed, solar access to the southernmost boundary of the buildable portion of a lot shall be protected. In establishing the dimensions of a solar access easement, specific considerations must be made.

In cases where a building configuration is not able to reasonably protect solar access to a proposed south facing element, the advisory agency may require

The intent of Solar Access for Subdivision Development (Part 9) is to implement and enforce the requirements of the California Solar Rights Act, that the design of all subdivisions for which a tentative map is required shall utilize natural heating and cooling opportunities to the maximum extent feasible and that the dedication of solar easements may be required as a condition of tentative map approval for new parcels in order to protect solar access. It is intended that the provisions of this part shall prevail over any other provisions of this Ordinance Code which may conflict with any of these

Solar collectors may extend up to seven feet above the maximum height limit with unlimited roof coverage. Solar collectors may extend up to 15 feet above the maximum height limit, as long as the coverage does not exceed 20 percent of the roof area, or 25 percent if the total includes stair or elevator penthouses or screened mechanical equipment.

City of Fresno requires that the design of any new city-owned building containing at least 7500 square feet shall include an alternative design for installation of a solar energy system.

The report to Council for each award of a contract for a new city-owned building shall include information related to compliance with this section every other year.

Each of the following is exempt from application of this section:

· A building for which the design is 30% or more complete on or before the effective date of this section.

· A building for which another renewable energy source(s) is available

H.B. 8354, enacted on July 2016, included a provision exempting qualifying renewable energy systems and associated equipment used in residential and manufacturing sector from property taxes throughout the state. Eligible renewable energy resources include direct solar radiation, wind, ocean, geothermal, small hydro, eligible biomass fuels, and fuel cells using renewable resources. 

Renewable energy equipment used in commercial facilities is not included in the exemption. However, legislation amended R.I. Gen Law §44-3-9 adding renewable energy equipment to qualify for tax stabilization, which may apply to commercial facilities. This authorizes local governments in Rhode Island to provide tax stabilization agreements for renewable