Arizonans who support solar power, especially those who already have solar technology for their homes, face five key issues this year that could affect their finances:
- Thousands of homeowners, churches and schools who lease rooftop solar will see new tax bills this year unless state lawmakers take action to stop the fees.
Arizonans who own solar panels don’t pay property taxes on them, but the Arizona Department of Revenue has decided that the exemption does not apply to solar panels that are leased.
The department sent valuation notices to companies, such as Sunrun Inc. and SolarCity Corp., that own solar systems and lease them to homeowners and commercial properties. The companies have clauses in their contracts that would pass the tax bills on to their leasing customers.