Solar Energy Systems Equipment Sales Tax Exemption

For those interested in green building incentives in Florida, this is a great bit of information for you.

Solar energy systems have been exempt from Florida’s sales and use tax since July 1, 1997. The term “solar energy system” means the equipment and requisite hardware that provide and are used for collecting, transferring, converting, storing or using incidental solar energy for water heating, space heating and cooling, or other applications that would otherwise require the use of a conventional source of energy such as petroleum products, natural gas, manufactured gas or electricity. Vendors of solar energy systems or components are required to document exempt sales.

This exemption was originally set to expire July 1, 2002, but was extended an additional three years. In May 2005, the exemption was made permanent when

HB 805 (2005) was signed into law.

The Florida Solar Energy Center certifies to the Department of Revenue a list of eligible equipment and hardware.

Sellers of solar energy systems or components thereof are required to document exempt sales. The Department of Revenue recommends that a form be completed by the purchaser and presented to the seller.

For more information, visit http://dsireusa.org/library/includes/summtabsrch.cfm?Incentive_Code=FL01F&Back=fintab&state=FL&type=Sales&CurrentPageID=7&EE=1&RE=1