Comments on: Utah Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

By: Mark D Larsen

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:48:27 +0000

Here is an odd situation. I installed my solar array in Utah at the end of 2010. To be able to take advantage of the state incentive on my taxes, it was necessary to first fill out several forms to get an approved “code” from the state. I couldn’t process that paperwork before the tax deadline, so I filed my return, paid about $8K in taxes due, and then later filed an amended return after receiving the “code.” Utah then sent me a $2K refund for the solar incentive. Ergo, I ended up paying $6K in taxes.

Yet now Utah has sent me a 1099-G, stating that the $2K incentive that they reimbursed me will be reported to the IRS as “income.” What…? I might be wrong, but if I had taken the incentive on my first return, rather than via an amended return, I cannot believe that the deducation would be reported as “income.”

What am I missing here?

By: Cindy Pickett

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:35:43 +0000

I am currently a resident of CA and am building a home in Moab, UT. How can I gain the state credits for solar panels? Do I have to become a Utah resident?

By: Ken Lozier

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:22:46 +0000

I would like to install a solar power system and solar heating system on my house in 2012. My system would need to be 5kW for the electrical portion. I have two 60 gallon hot water heaters that would require solar panels for heating these to operational temperatures and use the gas part as emergency back up. I can foresee the cost of electricity and gas for the house increasing to double the current prices in the next 5 years as the world economies improve. Want to become as self sufficient as possible before this happens. What kind of tax incentives and rebates can I expect from Salt Lake County, Utah??

By: rick

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:46:03 +0000

who is the most credible solar contractor in Utah?

By: Brian

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:04:26 +0000

Does anybody know if there are any solar rebates planned for 2011?

By: Gregory Smith

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:23:54 +0000

We need to do the same as Colorado and Arizona and push the Public utilities comm. to let the cities and rocky mountain pwr to have a increase of around .02cents a watt and we could make the numbers work. Utah is way behind on incentives for the State we need to have a 2.00 a watt rebate with no cap like CO and AZ. Thanks Greg S, Solectric Systems of Ut. Also we may be able to Donate some of the project you are speaking of just e-mail me and we could talk,

By: Dr. Shu Cheng

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:21:40 +0000

I’m the Executive Director of a non profit agency serving refugees and immigrants in Salt Lake County. We want to install a solar panel system to make our building green. Are there grants and private donations that would help toward the solar panel systems? I appreciate your suggestions.

By: JR

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:34:57 +0000

Am I not reading the Utah tax code correctly? I read it as a commercial photovoltaic system would qualify for a 10% state tax credit. I am reading the 10% tax credit excludes other forms of renewable power generation of 660kW or greater, pushing those other forms to the $0.35/kwh incentive plan. DSIRE has the sales tax exemption extending out to 2019, so between the two, thats about a 15% credit while keeping the SRECs. It would only take a SREC of $50 to push commercial solar into the realm of conventional financing.

On a side note, congrats to Rocky Mountain Power for having some of the clearest rate sheets in the nation. If only other power providers would follow their example.

By: nan

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:48:01 +0000

Buyers beware. although the solar incentives and rebates appear to be a great bargain, the Utah rebate of 7500.00 will require that you complete a w-9 which means that in the end, you will have to report the REBATE as income on your federal taxes. This may pop you into a higher tax bracket.

By: Vince

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:01:33 +0000

Will municipal power companies be required to comply with net metering in the future? That’s one more reason that I don’t like government competing with the private sector. If it’s run by the government, it’s socialized.