Politics & Government

Westchester BOL Okays Tax Break for Commercial Solar Energy Systems

Westchester BOL voted Monday to exempt commercial solar energy systems from county sales tax. The BOL approved a similar Act in 2011 exempting installation of residential solar equipment from county sales taxes.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) unanimously approved an Act Monday morning to exempt the sale and installation of commercial solar energy systems equipment from existing county sales tax. 

The BOL approved a similar Act in May 2011 exempting installation of residential solar equipment from county sales taxes, a landmark law that was later passed and signed into law in New York State by Governor Andrew Cuomo. 

Passage of the new Act began when Legislator Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining), a longtime advocate of alternative energy and green businesses, proposed the legislation in the BOL’s Environment & Energy Committee, of which she is a member. 

“The best way to support solar-based business is to make installations more economically viable,” said Borgia, in a release from the BOL. 

Monday's approval, which still requires the County Executive’s signature, will mean the tax break will be in place for all new solar installations in Westchester. 

While the projected annual cost of the program is estimated to be about $40,000 per year in lost sales tax to the County, according to the BOL release, the average savings to each participating Westchester business will be over $1,000. 

“The economic benefits to small businesses that produce and install these systems, and the green jobs that will likely be created, are only two of the many benefits that are sure to come as a result of this tax-saving initiative,” said BOL Majority Leader Harckham (D-North Salem) in the release.  

Last year, the BOL also unanimously approved new legislation, also spearheaded by Legislator Borgia, to streamline the process for home and building owners to install solar energy systems by relieving solar panel and solar heating installers and contractors from needing to obtain a Westchester County home improvement license before doing work in the county.


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