The law extending the prohibition against taxing the energy generated from solar panels used by homeowners and establishment has been signed into passing. California Governor, Gavin Newsom signed AB 1208 with author, assembly member Phil Ting.
According to an interview from solarpowerworldonline.com, Executive Director of the California Solar & Storage Association, and sponsor of AB 1208, Bernadette Del Chiaro, “We applaud Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Ting for protecting consumers’ right to generate their own energy from the sun without unfair taxes.”
“Reducing costs, eliminating red tape, and encouraging consumers to go solar are all critical components of meeting California’s ambitious clean energy goals,” Chiaro added.
Utility Users Tax or UUT allows cities and countries to tax utility services as a source of local revenues. However, since 2013, the use of solar panels and the energy generated from it has been exempted from this ability. The law sparing rooftop solar panels from this tax is set to expire by December 31, 2019. Now that AB 1208 has been signed, this law extends to 7 years more.
According to Assemblymember, Ting, “I’m proud to champion a bill that maintains California’s position as a leader in promoting renewable energy, which helps the effort to clean our air and fight climate change. The Governor’s signature keeps customer-owned clean energy affordable and will keep encouraging the use of greener power to reduce our carbon emissions.”
With the law AB 1208, the local government appears to be supporting its goals for clean energy sources. It ensures that in the coming years, consumers are protected with their investments in generating solar energy.
According to the Executive Director of Solar Rights Alliance, Dave Rosenfeld, “I’m thrilled to see California take this decisive step toward protecting a homeowner’s most basic clean energy right.”
Solar Rights Alliance is an association of solar users in California, acknowledged in their entire country.
“Just like growing your own carrots and avoiding sales taxes, if you put the sunlight that falls on your roof or property to your own use, you shouldn’t have to pay a tax either.”
The bill received a unanimous vote both from the State Assembly and Senate, despite facing controversies when it’s introduced in May.
