FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018

LANSING – The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council along with clean energy businesses today praised the Michigan Senate for approving House Bills 5143 and 5680, legislation that would clarify Michigan’s solar tax policy. The bills would classify rooftop solar installations as personal property, preventing solar installations from increasing a homeowner’s property value and taxes until after the home is sold. The two bills now await final approval by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“We applaud the Michigan Senate for passing this common sense, bipartisan legislation that clarifies how solar panels impact property taxes,” said Liesl Clark, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. “These bills fix the confusing patchwork of taxation across the state when it comes to rooftop solar so more Michigan families and businesses can take advantage of the cost-saving potential of generating their own renewable energy.” 

National rooftop solar installer Sunrun as well as Michigan-based The Green Panel also lauded the legislation.

“This legislation would establish a straightforward method to determining how rooftop solar installations impact property values, and puts Michigan in line with policies in neighboring Great Lakes states. This is a first step in establishing foundational policies to make investing in rooftop solar more accessible for Michigan families,” said Amy Heart, public policy director, Sunrun.

“More Michigan businesses and homeowners have turned to solar energy to power their homes and reduce electricity costs. This legislation will establish a consistent tax structure for rooftop solar installations and help our local solar industry continue growing and creating jobs,” said Adam Harris, CEO  of The Green Panel, Inc.