Sustainable Energy Financing Districts

Sustainable energy financing districts, as pioneered by the city of Berkeley, will enable building owners to pay for solar panels and solar hot water systems over 20 years through a special tax on their annual property tax bill. This program overcomes a common obstacle of costly upfront investments which may take more years to recoup than the owner intends to keep the building. The owner immediately begins saving money on electricity bills without incurring the upfront cost of installing a solar system. The interest portion of the assessment may be deductible on the owner’s federal income tax return. When the house is sold, the solar array and the tax assessment remain with the property, passing on to the new owner.

News

2008-09-17 Berkeley encourages residents to go solar