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SOLAR TAX CREDITS. Green Homes and Sustainable Communities August 7 and 8, 2008 Jeffrey S. Lesk Nixon Peabody LLP. Affordable Housing. New Markets. Tax Credits. Historic. Renewable Energy. Affordable Housing. New Markets. Tax Credits. Historic. Renewable Energy. Why Solar?.
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SOLAR TAX CREDITS Green Homes and Sustainable Communities August 7 and 8, 2008 Jeffrey S. Lesk Nixon Peabody LLP
Affordable Housing New Markets Tax Credits Historic Renewable Energy
Affordable Housing New Markets Tax Credits Historic Renewable Energy
Why Solar? • Escalating energy costs • Uncontrollable costs • Unpredictable costs • Caps on rental income
Sizing and SelectingSolar Array • Consult with Engineer • Building Footprint/Configuration • Electrical Demand Load • Who pays utilities? • Cost (consider tax credits, rebates, net metering) • Amount of available LIHTCs
Designing for Sola r • Building Footprint/Configuration • Lot Size • Land Use Restrictions • Battery Back-up/Inversion Equipment (design and location) • Integrated Design • Only part of the energy reduction puzzle
SOLAR ENERGY INVESTMENTTAX CREDITS (Section 48 of IRC) INVESTMENT: 30% of cost of facility All in year placed in service Investment in qualifying equipment TCs to owner of equipment How the Solar Credit Works
Recapture potential: 5 years (20% vesting/year) • Reduced by grants, tax exempt bonds, subsidized energy financing • Reduces depreciable basis by 50% of the credit (depreciate 85% of equipment) • Depreciate over 5 years
Placed in service by 1/1/09 • Cost Certification by third-party accountant • Submission to IRS on Forms 3468 and 3800 (General Business Credits)
Structures • DEVELOPER/OWNER OWNS • Owner gets “free” energy • Owner qualifies for tax credits/depreciation • Owner syndicates • Owner maintains/repairs (and gets warranties) • SOLAR COMPANY OWNS • Owner purchases “cheap” energy + hedge • Solar Company qualifies for tax credits • Solar company syndicates • Power purchase agt./possible buy-out
Issues with Combining • Viewed as double dipping? • Per-unit cost and subsidy caps in QAPs • QAPs encourage --- but how much is too much? • Is it commercial property (excluded from basis) –sale of energy, RECs? • Includable in development cost from which Development Fee is based? • Utility allowance issue • Coordination with other project documents • Is there a market for the credits?
Investor Reaction • First year boost • 5-year ACRS (not all value) • Utility savings • More predictable energy costs • Low recapture potential • Qualified selection, installation, maintenance • Adequate Insurance • Carriage turns back into a pumpkin – 12/31/08 • Green is good
Thank you! • Jeffrey S. Lesk • jlesk@nixonpeabody.com