Arizona Solar Center

Arizona Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff (REST)

In 2006, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) established a requirement that 15 percent of retail energy sales from ACC regulated electric utilities come from renewable energy resources by the year 2025. A portion of that energy (30 percent) must come from distributed resources (DR), or what is commonly referred to as distributed generation (DG) technologies. Half of the DG requirement must come from residential applications and the other half from non-residential/non-utility applications. The requirement applies to investor-owned utilities and electric power cooperatives serving retail customers in Arizona. Distribution companies with more than half of their customers outside Arizona are exempt.

The Goldwater Institute challenged the REST rules in court and in 2007 Arizona's Attorney General Terry Goddard certified the rule as constitutional.

The compliance schedule by year is outlined below:

2006: 1.25%
2007: 1.50% (5% DR)
2008: 1.75% (10% DR)
2009: 2.00% (15% DR)
2010: 2.50% (20% DR)
2011: 3.00% (25% DR)
2012: 3.50% (30% DR)
2013: 4.00% (30% DR)
2014: 4.50% (30% DR)
2015: 5.00% (30% DR)
2016: 6.00% (30% DR)
2017: 7.00% (30% DR)
2018: 8.00% (30% DR)
2019: 9.00% (30% DR)
2020: 10.00% (30% DR)
2021: 11.00% (30% DR)
2022: 12.00% (30% DR)
2023: 13.00% (30% DR)
2024: 14.00% (30% DR)
2025: 15.00% (30% DR)

Contact Your Utility for Details About REST Program Incentives

The following links connect to the REST program details for Arizona electric utilities and cooperatives regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Salt River Project, which is not regulated by the ACC, also offers incentives similar to REST incentives.

The funding available for the each program is limited. The incentives are funded by a small surcharge approved by the ACC and added to customers' electric bills. The approved amounts vary among the utilities. Each utility has an application and reservation process for obtaining funding. It is important for customers to contact their utility directly before investing in renewable energy equipment to obtain specific information on program requirements, funds availability, and the process followed by the utility for approvals and installation.

For more information, see the complete ACC docket (~10 MB PDF):

The Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff rules, Arizona Administrative Code ("A.A.C.") R14-2-1801 through -181 5

Arizona Tax Incentives

Updated November 23, 2016, reviewed February 11, 2019

Arizona tax credit and incentive programs are generally divided by whether they target residential installations or non-residential industrial, commercial, agricultural, institutional, and governmental installations. The information presented below is an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

Arizona Renewable Energy incentives

Arizona Residential Incentives

Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit (details below)
Solar Water Heater Plumbing Stub Out and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Outlet (details below)
Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption (details below)
Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption (details below)

Arizona Non-Residential Incentives

Non-Residential Solar & Wind Tax Credit - Corporate and Personal (details below)
Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit - Corporate and Personal (details below)
Renewable Energy Business Tax Incentives (details below)

Residential Incentives

Arizona Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems Tax Credit

This incentive is an Arizona personal tax credit. The credit amount allowed against the taxpayer's personal income tax is 25% of the cost of the system with a $1,000 maximum regardless of the number of energy devices installed.

The eligible technologies are Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat, Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Space Heat, Wind, Solar Ovens, Solar Cooling, Solar Pool Heating, and Daylighting. The system must be installed at the customer's residence.

Arizona tax credit forms and instructions for all recent years can be obtained at:

https://www.azdor.gov/Forms/Credits.aspx

The credit amount allowed against the taxpayer's personal income tax is 25% of the cost of the system with a $1,000 maximum regardless of the number of energy devices installed. This is a lifetime limit (started in 1995) and the prior year credits used are part of the data submitted. Start with Arizona Form 310 (2020 info used for reference), Enter the value of the solar energy device(s) on Line 2, 25% of that on Line 3, and the limit of $1,000 on Line 5. After calculations of any available carryovers from prior years (depends on the specific family tax history), the values on Lines 16-18 are taken to Arizona Form 301, Nonrefundable Individual Tax Credits and Recapture, line 4. Form 301 consolidates all your tax credits, etc., and the final credit (line 61) is entered on Form 140, line 51; or Form 140PY, line 61; or Form 140NR, line 60; or Form 140X, line 39.

Contact:
     Tax Assistance
     Arizona Department of Revenue
     1600 W. Monroe
     Phoenix, AZ 85007-2650
     (602) 255-3381
     (800) 352-4090
     Web Site: www.azdor.gov

Arizona Credit for Solar Hot Water Heater Plumbing Stub Out and Electric Vehicle Charging Station Outlet

This $75 credit is provided for in Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 43-1090 and 43-1176 and is a nonrefundable individual and corporate income tax credits for the installation of solar hot water heater plumbing stub outs and electric vehicle recharge outlets in houses or dwelling units constructed by the taxpayer. The houses or dwelling units must be located in Arizona. Qualifying installations of solar hot water heater plumbing stub outs must meet certain requirements.

Qualifying installations of electric vehicle recharge outlets must be connected to the utility system by a dedicated line and also meet certain requirements that are spelled out in the instruction document (see link below). See Arizona Form 319 that in turn carries to Arizona Form 301.

Arizona tax credit forms and instructions for all recent years can be obtained at:

https://www.azdor.gov/Forms/Credits.aspx

Arizona Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption

This incentive is a state sales tax exemption. The exemption is for 100% of the sales tax on eligible equipment. The eligible technologies are Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Passive Solar Space Heat, Wind, Solar Pool Heating, and Daylighting. Residential, Commercial, and General Public/Consumer installations are eligible and there is no maximum amount.

There is a requirement to register as a seller. Only registered sellers can use the sales tax (Transaction Tax) exemption.

See the form and the instructions on the form: Solar Energy Devices Application for Registration Form 6015.

Contact:
     Tax Assistance
     Arizona Department of Revenue
     1600 W. Monroe
     Phoenix, AZ 85007-2650
     Phone: (602) 255-3381
     Phone 2: (800) 352-4090
     Web Site: www.azdor.gov

Arizona Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption

This incentive is an Arizona property tax exemption. The exemption is for 100% of the increased value of the property from installing eligible energy systems. For property assessment and valuation purposes, the systems are considered to add no value. It applies to residential, commercial and industrial properties. Because investments in solar and other renewable energy systems add value, the exemption effectively provides a property tax break. Originally the exemption only applied to solar energy devices. The eligible renewable technologies include Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat, Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Cooling, Solar Pool Heating, and Daylighting. In addition, other renewable energy technologies such as Wind, Biomass, and Geothermal Electric are eligible. Energy efficient building components are also eligible for the exemption.

Contact:
     Tax Assistance
     Arizona Department of Revenue
     1600 W. Monroe
     Phoenix, AZ 85007-2650
     Phone: (602) 255-3381
     Phone 2: (800) 352-4090
     Web Site: www.azdor.gov

Non-Residential Incentives

Arizona Corporate Non-Residential Solar and Wind Tax Credit

This incentive is a Corporate Tax Credit. Note that the credit may be applied towards corporate or personal income taxes. There is a maximum credit of $25,000 for any one building in the same year and a total credit of $50,000 per business in any year. The credit is available to Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, Nonprofit, Schools, and Institutional entities as well as, Local, State and Tribal Governments. There is no restriction on the size of the system however the program budget is $1 million annually. The eligible technologies include Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat, Passive Solar Space Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Solar Cooling, Solar Pool Heating, Wind, and Daylighting. Program expiration is set for 12/31/2018. To qualify for the tax credits, a business must submit an application to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).

See our article Arizona Solar Devices: Guidelines for details

Contact:
     Blanca Carrillo
     Arizona Commerce Authority
     Financial Incentive Programs
     333 N. Central Ave., Suite 1900
     Phoenix, AZ 85004
     Phone: (602) 845-1235
     Fax: (602) 845-1201
     E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arizona Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Corporate

This incentive is a Corporate Tax Credit for electricity produced by certain eligible renewable systems annually over a ten-year period. Note that the credit may be applied towards corporate or personal income taxes. The system size must be a minimum of 5 MW. It is applicable to systems installed after 12/31/2010. The eligible technologies are Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Electric, Landfill Gas, Wind, and Biomass. The maximum incentive for any system is $2 million per year and the annual budget for the program is $20 million.

The tax credit for photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal electric systems varies depending on the year of electricity production according to the following schedule:

Year 1: $0.04 per kWh
Year 2: $0.04 per kWh
Year 3: $0.035 per kWh
Year 4: $0.035 per kWh
Year 5: $0.03 per kWh
Year 6: $0.03 per kWh
Year 7: $0.02 per kWh
Year 8: $0.02 per kWh
Year 9: $0.01 per kWh
Year 10: $0.01 per kWh

The incentive amount for Wind and Biomass is $0.01/kWh, paid for 10 years.

2016 Program Guidelines:
www.azdor.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=FW9Ym9tAbMg%3d&tabid=316

The Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit is applied for using Arizona Form 343.

Arizona tax credit forms and instructions for all recent years can be obtained at:

https://www.azdor.gov/Forms/Credits.aspx

Contact:
     Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Program
     Office of Economic Research & Analysis
     Arizona Department of Revenue
     P.O. Box 29099
     Phoenix, AZ 85038
     Web Site: www.azdor.gov

Questions can be directed to Georganna Meyer (602-716-6927) or Elaine Smith (602-716-6924).

Arizona Renewable Energy Business Tax Incentives

The purpose of this incentive is to draw renewable energy product manufacturers to Arizona. Commercial and industrial entities are eligible. The eligible solar energy technologies are Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, and Solar Pool Heating. A number of other renewable technologies are eligible including Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, and Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels.

The tax credit is up to 10% of the investment amount but there is no limit on individual property tax reductions offered as incentives to help convince a manufacturer of renewable energy products to locate in Arizona. The total tax credits that may be approved state-wide in one taxable year is $70 million. The program began 1/1/2010 and is set to expire 12/31/2019.

There are complex stipulations about qualifying for the incentives and the potential investor should seek further details at:

2013 Program Guidelines (still effective 2016):
www.azcommerce.com/media/32094/RETIPGuidelines.pdf

This starts with Form 342: Credit for Renewable Energy Industry

Arizona tax credit forms and instructions for all recent years can be obtained at:

https://www.azdor.gov/Forms/Credits.aspx

Contact:
     Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Program
     Arizona Commerce Authority
     333 N. Central Ave., Suite 1900
     Phoenix, AZ 85004
     Web Site:www.azcommerce.com/incentives/renewable-energy-tax-incentive

Questions regarding Renewable Energy Tax Incentives can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer: The Arizona Solar Center disclaim all liability of any kind arising out of your use or misuse of the information contained or referenced on the Solar Center web pages.

Arizona Renewable Energy Standard & Tariff (REST) FAQs

Updated February 16, 2014

Q: Why does my utility company's residential renewable energy incentive program require a W-9?

A: When residential customers buy a renewable energy system and receive a renewable energy incentive, customers are actually selling renewable energy credits (RECs) to their utility. Leased systems are owned by the leasing company, which sells the RECs to utility.

Since June of 2010, the IRS has treated the exchange of utility incentives for RECs as a sale, and the incentive payment may be treated as income for the renewable system owner. The system owner reports the incentive payment amount on the IRS 1099-Misc (income) form. For the utility to provide the renewable energy system owner with a 1099-Misc (income) form, they must first have a W-9 on file.

Q: What is a Renewable Energy Credit (REC)?

A: "Renewable Energy Credits" (RECs) are the environmental attributes associated with the generation of power from a renewable energy resource, as well as the associated REC reporting rights. One REC represents the environmental attributes and REC reporting rights associated with one (1) kWh generated from one or more renewable energy sources.

Q: Who provides the utility a W-9?

A: The W-9 must be provided by the renewable energy system owner.

If you are purchasing a renewable energy system you must provide a W-9 to your utility.
If you are leasing a renewable energy system, the leasing company will own the system and must provide the utility with a W-9.

Q: What are the implications of the renewable energy incentive being treated as reportable income?

A: The implications vary by individual. We encourage you to seek the advice of a tax professional about how to treat the REC incentive payment.

Q: When is the 1099-Misc issued?

A: The 1099-Misc is issued for the tax year in which the renewable energy system owner received payment.

If the system is placed into service and the incentive paid in 2013, then the 1099-Misc will be issued in 2014.
If the system was placed into service in 2012 but the REC payment was issued in 2013, then the 1099-Misc will be sent in 2014.

Q: Am I issued a 1099-Misc if I assign my incentive payment to a 3rd party (e.g., system installer)?

A: The residential renewable energy system owner sells the RECs. When you purchase a renewable energy system, some utility company incentive program rules allow you to assign your REC payment to your installer for cash flow convenience. As system owner, you sell the RECs to the utility and permit the utility to issue the payment to your installer. Per the IRS, you the system owner sold the RECs, and therefore you must provide the W-9 and receive a 1099-Misc for the year in which the payment was issued.

If you are leasing the system, the leasing company owns the RECs and sells them to the utility. The lessor can choose to have the incentive payment assigned to a vendor for their cash flow convenience, but the lessor is the system owner and the party who sells the RECs, therefore, they should report the income.

Q: Where can I find more information?

A: Please see your tax advisor or the IRS about your unique tax circumstances.
www.irs.gov/contact/index.html?navmenu=menu3

Incentives

Disclaimer: This section of our website provides an overview of financial and other incentives available to Arizona residents and businesses for installing and operating systems that utilize solar energy.

The Arizona Solar Center provides this 3rd Party information as a service. The policies and status of programs change frequently. The Solar Center is not responsible for information that is out-of-date or inaccurate. The reader is individually responsible to fact-check all program details before making financial or other types of decisions.

You will find information about the following topics: