Jacobs and Majority Legislators Approve Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and Majority lawmakers today approved legislation that will offer an exemption from the County portion of sales tax to homeowners installing solar energy systems. The legislation was proposed earlier this month by Legislators Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa), Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) and David Denenberg (D-Merrick). Suffolk County approved a similar measure recently and New York State lawmakers have exempted such power systems from sales tax, in addition to providing tax credits.

The elimination of the county portion of the sales taxes, combined with the state sales tax exemption AND a 50 percent LIPA rebate, will now lower the cost of a small residential unit to $9,000 down from a little more than $26,000. In addition, the Nassau County sales tax exemption doesn't require homeowners to purchase an entire household system to qualify. Homeowners can receive the exemption by purchasing and installing any household solar energy system, such as a solar powered water heater or by having even just one room of their home heated by solar energy.

"This legislation is a very positive step forward because it would promote the use of renewable energy sources and decreased reliance on fossil fuels in an effort to protect the environment," said Presiding Officer Jacobs. "Solar energy is also a benefit to our health and our community. Any resident who chooses solar power for their home should be rewarded for making such a wonderful decision."

Michael White, Chair of the NYLCV's Long Island Chapter said, "We commend the Majority legislators for introducing yet another way to help residents cut costs and save money on energy. We hope that the Legislature will continue to support and propose other environmentally friendly initiatives, including eliminating the county portion of the sales tax on the purchase of Hybrid vehicles, adopting a policy that would have recycled motor oil used in the county fleet, and ensuring that the reorganization of county buildings - new and retrofitted - include "green building," technologies.

Clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, have many benefits including in-state and in-county production opportunities such as local use of solar technology and installers, minimal environmental impacts, increased income for local, in-state and in-county producers and retailers, economic development support, and dramatic air quality improvements.

"Nassau County has quickly taken the initiative in providing its residents with the opportunity to install clean affordable energy technology at a reasonable price," said Brendan Mahoney, Program Coordinator for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "This legislation provides working families with the opportunity to invest in cutting edge technology, become energy independent in their homes, and set the standard for a clean, safe renewable energy future for Long Island."

"Using pollution-free solar power instead of fossil fuels has always made good sense on Long Island: our abundant sunshine coupled with LIPA's solar cash rebates and State incentives translate into a good investment for our environment," said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), a not-for-profit clean energy advocacy organization and local founding partner of the national Million Solar Roofs Initiative. "We commend the Majority legislators for introducing this much needed legislation and urge adoption by the County as soon as possible."

In addition, power generated from polluting, non-renewable resources, such as oil and coal, has resulted in many health risks, such as heart and lung disease, and negative impacts on wildlife, plants and the natural environment, including acid rain and urban smog.

"These incentives will spur the increased installation of solar energy systems, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve the quality of our environment," said New York State Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, sponsor of the new state law and chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.