The intent of the law is to encourage installation of solar, wind and farm waste energy systems in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial applications.  Real property that contains a solar, wind, or farm waste energy system approved by the State Energy Research and Development Authority is exempt from taxation for a period of 15 years to the extent of any increase in assessed value due to the system. The exemption as reenacted in 1990 is subject to local option (see below).  It is applicable to general municipal taxes (county, city, town, village or school), but not to special district levies.

Section 487 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law provides for an exemption to be granted for any increase in assessed value of real property which is attributable to the solar, wind or farm waste energy system. Some building’s components serve as part of the wind, solar or farm waste energy system as well as the building structure. It should be noted, however, that where components serve dual functions, i.e., part of a building structure as well as part of a solar or wind energy system, only the increased assessed value which is attributable to the portion of the components that allows them to serve as part of the solar, wind or farm waste energy system is eligible for the tax exemption.

Required construction start date or other time requirement:

Solar, wind, or farm waste energy system must be (a) in existence or constructed prior to July 1, 1988, or (b) constructed after January 1, 1991 and before January 1, 2025.

Micro-hydroelectric energy, fuel cell electric generating, micro-combined heat and power generating equipment, or electric energy storage equipment and electric energy storage systems must be constructed after January 1, 2018 and before January 1, 2025

APPLICATION FOR TAX EXEMPTION OF SOLAR OR WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS OR FARM WASTE ENERGY SYSTEMS