DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 480 Original 2015 Regular Session Jay Morris
Abstract: Reduces the amount of the refundable income tax credit for a solar energy system from
50% to 40% of the cost of a purchased system, and from 38% to 30% for a leased system,
and changes the sunset date from Dec. 31, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2016.
Solar system purchased by the homeowner
Present law provides a refundable income tax credit for the purchase and installation of a solar
energy system at a La. residence, or for a system which is already installed in a newly constructed
home located in La. The amount of the credit is equal to 50% of the first $25,000 of the cost of a
system purchased and installed on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Jan. 1, 2018. Authority for this
tax credit sunsets on Dec. 31, 2017, with no credits authorized or granted for systems installed after
that date.
Proposed law changes present law by reducing the amount of the credit from 50% to 40% of the cost
of the system, and changes the date of the sunset for the program from Dec. 31, 2017, to Dec. 31,
2016.
Solar system purchased by a third party for lease to the homeowner
Present law provides a refundable income tax credit for a solar energy system purchased and
installed by a third party through a lease with the owner of the La. residence upon which it will be
installed. For systems installed on or after Jan. 1, 2014, and before Jan. 1, 2018, the credit is equal
to 38% of the first $25,000 of the "cost of purchase". Further, the "cost of purchase" is limited as
follows:
(1)On or after July 1, 2013, and before July 1, 2014, the system shall cost no more than $4.50
per watt.
(2)On or after July 1, 2014, and before July 1, 2015, the system shall cost no more than $3.50
per watt.
(3)On or after July 1, 2015, and before Jan. 1, 2017, the system shall cost no more than $2 per
watt.
Proposed law changes present law by reducing the amount of the credit from 38% to 30% of the cost
of the system, and changes the date of the sunset for the program from Dec. 31, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2016.
Proposed law is applicable to taxable periods beginning on and after Aug. 1, 2015.
Effective Aug. 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 47:6030(B)(1), (2)(intro. para.) and (a), (b)(iii), and (c))