A sweeping green energy bill passed by the Senate this month tackles a problem puzzling MetroWest assessors for months: how to tax solar farms.
The bill would exempt large commercial solar and wind projects from local property tax and instead require a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, of 5 percent of the project’s income from electricity sales.
Solar companies like the idea, but cities and towns say 5 percent isn’t enough.
“We need a uniform solution to the taxes that will make things more predictable,” said solar developer Bob Knowles, of Renewable Energy Massachusetts. It makes it easier to finance projects, he said.
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The solar panels at the Vandervalk Tree Farm in Mendon are mounted in the ground. |
The bill would exempt large commercial solar and wind projects from local property tax and instead require a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, of 5 percent of the project’s income from electricity sales.
Solar companies like the idea, but cities and towns say 5 percent isn’t enough.
“We need a uniform solution to the taxes that will make things more predictable,” said solar developer Bob Knowles, of Renewable Energy Massachusetts. It makes it easier to finance projects, he said.
Read More
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