Udall seeks tax credits for ‘community solar’ projects

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) wants to help homeowners pool their resources to buy solar energy systems that serve the multiple households.

He floated a bill Wednesday that would make jointly-owned projects – which are built on separate plots of neighborhood land – eligible for tax credits that are currently available for rooftop projects on individual households.

Under his plan, homeowners that help finance these “community solar” projects may claim the 30 percent tax credit on their share of the investment.

Various types of community solar projects have been popping up in different states (this week the New York Times looked at their emergence), but Udall’s office said the federal tax code needs updating to help move the phenomenon along.