Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 1 Tax Incentives Amendments 2025 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Kay J. Christofferson Senate Sponsor: Brady Brammer 2 3 LONG TITLE 4 General Description: 5 This bill modifies and repeals provisions related to income tax incentives. 6 Highlighted Provisions: 7 This bill: 8 ▸ limits the eligibility for claiming the corporate or individual income tax credit for clean 9 energy systems to systems that are placed in service before January 1, 2028; and 10 ▸ repeals the individual income tax credit for qualifying solar projects and the corporate and 11 individual income tax credits for alternative energy development. 12 Money Appropriated in this Bill: 13 None 14 Other Special Clauses: 15 This bill provides retrospective operation. 16 Utah Code Sections Affected: 17 AMENDS: 18 59-7-614, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 53 19 59-10-1014, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 53 20 59-10-1106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 53 21 REPEALS: 22 59-7-614.7, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 482 23 59-10-1024, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 280 24 59-10-1029, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 482 25 26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: 27 Section 1. Section 59-7-614 is amended to read: 28 59-7-614 . Clean energy systems tax credits -- Definitions -- Certification -- H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 29 Rulemaking authority. 30 (1) As used in this section: 31 (a)(i) "Active solar system" means a system of equipment that is capable of: 32 (A) collecting and converting incident solar radiation into thermal, mechanical, or 33 electrical energy; and 34 (B) transferring a form of energy described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) by a 35 separate apparatus to storage or to the point of use. 36 (ii) "Active solar system" includes water heating, space heating or cooling, and 37 electrical or mechanical energy generation. 38 (b) "Biomass system" means a system of apparatus and equipment for use in: 39 (i) converting material into biomass energy, as defined in Section 59-12-102; and 40 (ii) transporting the biomass energy by separate apparatus to the point of use or 41 storage. 42 (c) "Clean energy source" means the same as that term is defined in Section 54-17-601. 43 (d) "Commercial energy system" means a system that is: 44 (i)(A) an active solar system; 45 (B) a biomass system; 46 (C) a direct use geothermal system; 47 (D) a geothermal electricity system; 48 (E) a geothermal heat pump system; 49 (F) a hydroenergy system; 50 (G) a passive solar system; or 51 (H) a wind system; 52 (ii) located in the state; and 53 (iii) used: 54 (A) to supply energy to a commercial unit; or 55 (B) as a commercial enterprise. 56 (e) "Commercial enterprise" means an entity, the purpose of which is to produce: 57 (i) electrical, mechanical, or thermal energy for sale from a commercial energy 58 system; or 59 (ii) hydrogen for sale from a hydrogen production system. 60 (f)(i) "Commercial unit" means a building or structure that an entity uses to transact 61 business. 62 (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(f)(i): - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 63 (A) with respect to an active solar system used for agricultural water pumping or a 64 wind system, each individual energy generating device is considered to be a 65 commercial unit; or 66 (B) if an energy system is the building or structure that an entity uses to transact 67 business, a commercial unit is the complete energy system itself. 68 (g) "Direct use geothermal system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that 69 enables the direct use of geothermal energy to meet energy needs, including heating a 70 building, an industrial process, and aquaculture. 71 (h) "Geothermal electricity" means energy that is: 72 (i) contained in heat that continuously flows outward from the earth; and 73 (ii) used as a sole source of energy to produce electricity. 74 (i) "Geothermal energy" means energy generated by heat that is contained in the earth. 75 (j) "Geothermal heat pump system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that: 76 (i) enables the use of thermal properties contained in the earth at temperatures well 77 below 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and 78 (ii) helps meet heating and cooling needs of a structure. 79 (k) "Hydroenergy system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that is capable of: 80 (i) intercepting and converting kinetic water energy into electrical or mechanical 81 energy; and 82 (ii) transferring this form of energy by separate apparatus to the point of use or 83 storage. 84 (l) "Hydrogen production system" means a system of apparatus and equipment, located 85 in this state, that uses: 86 (i) electricity from a clean energy source to create hydrogen gas from water, 87 regardless of whether the clean energy source is at a separate facility or the same 88 facility as the system of apparatus and equipment; or 89 (ii) uses renewable natural gas to produce hydrogen gas. 90 (m) "Office" means the Office of Energy Development created in Section 79-6-401. 91 (n)(i) "Passive solar system" means a direct thermal system that utilizes the structure 92 of a building and the structure's operable components to provide for collection, 93 storage, and distribution of heating or cooling during the appropriate times of the 94 year by utilizing the climate resources available at the site. 95 (ii) "Passive solar system" includes those portions and components of a building that 96 are expressly designed and required for the collection, storage, and distribution of - 3 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 97 solar energy. 98 (o) "Photovoltaic system" means an active solar system that generates electricity from 99 sunlight. 100 (p)(i) "Principal recovery portion" means the portion of a lease payment that 101 constitutes the cost a person incurs in acquiring a commercial energy system. 102 (ii) "Principal recovery portion" does not include: 103 (A) an interest charge; or 104 (B) a maintenance expense. 105 (q) "Residential energy system" means the following used to supply energy to or for a 106 residential unit: 107 (i) an active solar system; 108 (ii) a biomass system; 109 (iii) a direct use geothermal system; 110 (iv) a geothermal heat pump system; 111 (v) a hydroenergy system; 112 (vi) a passive solar system; or 113 (vii) a wind system. 114 (r)(i) "Residential unit" means a house, condominium, apartment, or similar dwelling 115 unit that: 116 (A) is located in the state; and 117 (B) serves as a dwelling for a person, group of persons, or a family. 118 (ii) "Residential unit" does not include property subject to a fee under: 119 (A) Section 59-2-405; 120 (B) Section 59-2-405.1; 121 (C) Section 59-2-405.2; 122 (D) Section 59-2-405.3; or 123 (E) Section 72-10-110.5. 124 (s) "Wind system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that is capable of: 125 (i) intercepting and converting wind energy into mechanical or electrical energy; and 126 (ii) transferring these forms of energy by a separate apparatus to the point of use, 127 sale, or storage. 128 (2) A taxpayer may claim an energy system tax credit as provided in this section against a 129 tax due under this chapter for [a taxable year] an energy system that is completed and 130 placed in service before January 1, 2028. - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 131 (3)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (3), a taxpayer may claim a 132 nonrefundable tax credit under this Subsection (3) with respect to a residential unit 133 the taxpayer owns or uses if: 134 (i) the taxpayer: 135 (A) purchases and completes a residential energy system to supply all or part of 136 the energy required for the residential unit; or 137 (B) participates in the financing of a residential energy system to supply all or part 138 of the energy required for the residential unit; and 139 (ii) the taxpayer obtains a written certification from the office in accordance with 140 Subsection (8). 141 (b)(i) Subject to Subsections (3)(b)(ii) through (iv) and, as applicable, Subsection 142 (3)(c) or (d), the tax credit is equal to 25% of the reasonable costs of each 143 residential energy system installed with respect to each residential unit the 144 taxpayer owns or uses. 145 (ii) A tax credit under this Subsection (3) may include installation costs. 146 (iii) A taxpayer may claim a tax credit under this Subsection (3) for the taxable year 147 in which the residential energy system is completed and placed in service. 148 (iv) If the amount of a tax credit under this Subsection (3) exceeds a taxpayer's tax 149 liability under this chapter for a taxable year, the taxpayer may carry forward the 150 amount of the tax credit exceeding the liability for a period that does not exceed 151 the next four taxable years. 152 (c) The total amount of tax credit a taxpayer may claim under this Subsection (3) for a 153 residential energy system, other than a photovoltaic system, may not exceed $2,000 154 per residential unit. 155 (d) The total amount of tax credit a taxpayer may claim under this Subsection (3) for a 156 photovoltaic system may not exceed: 157 (i) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2018, but on or before December 31, 158 2020, $1,600; 159 (ii) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2021, but on or before December 31, 160 2021, $1,200; 161 (iii) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2022, but on or before December 31, 162 2022, $800; 163 (iv) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2023, but on or before December 31, 164 2023, $400; and - 5 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 165 (v) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2024, $0. 166 (e) If a taxpayer sells a residential unit to another person before the taxpayer claims the 167 tax credit under this Subsection (3): 168 (i) the taxpayer may assign the tax credit to the other person; and 169 (ii)(A) if the other person files a return under this chapter, the other person may 170 claim the tax credit under this section as if the other person had met the 171 requirements of this section to claim the tax credit; or 172 (B) if the other person files a return under Chapter 10, Individual Income Tax Act, 173 the other person may claim the tax credit under Section 59-10-1014 as if the 174 other person had met the requirements of Section 59-10-1014 to claim the tax 175 credit. 176 (4)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (4), a taxpayer may claim a 177 refundable tax credit under this Subsection (4) with respect to a commercial energy 178 system if: 179 (i) the commercial energy system does not use: 180 (A) wind, geothermal electricity, solar, or biomass equipment capable of 181 producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; or 182 (B) solar equipment capable of producing 2,000 or more kilowatts of electricity; 183 (ii) the taxpayer purchases or participates in the financing of the commercial energy 184 system; 185 (iii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required 186 by commercial units owned or used by the taxpayer; or 187 (B) the taxpayer sells all or part of the energy produced by the commercial energy 188 system as a commercial enterprise; 189 (iv) the taxpayer has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under Subsection (7) 190 for hydrogen production using electricity for which the taxpayer claims a tax 191 credit under this Subsection (4); and 192 (v) the taxpayer obtains a written certification from the office in accordance with 193 Subsection (8). 194 (b)(i) Subject to Subsections (4)(b)(ii) through (iv), the tax credit is equal to 10% of 195 the reasonable costs of the commercial energy system. 196 (ii) A tax credit under this Subsection (4) may include installation costs. 197 (iii) A taxpayer is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection (4) for the 198 taxable year in which the commercial energy system is completed and placed in - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 199 service. 200 (iv) The total amount of tax credit a taxpayer may claim under this Subsection (4) 201 may not exceed $50,000 per commercial unit. 202 (c)(i) Subject to Subsections (4)(c)(ii) and (iii), a taxpayer that is a lessee of a 203 commercial energy system installed on a commercial unit may claim a tax credit 204 under this Subsection (4) if the taxpayer confirms that the lessor irrevocably elects 205 not to claim the tax credit. 206 (ii) A taxpayer described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) may claim as a tax credit under this 207 Subsection (4) only the principal recovery portion of the lease payments. 208 (iii) A taxpayer described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) may claim a tax credit under this 209 Subsection (4) for a period that does not exceed seven taxable years after the day 210 on which the lease begins, as stated in the lease agreement. 211 (5)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (5), a taxpayer may claim a 212 refundable tax credit under this Subsection (5) with respect to a commercial energy 213 system if: 214 (i) the commercial energy system uses wind, geothermal electricity, or biomass 215 equipment capable of producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; 216 (ii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required by 217 commercial units owned or used by the taxpayer; or 218 (B) the taxpayer sells all or part of the energy produced by the commercial energy 219 system as a commercial enterprise; 220 (iii) the taxpayer has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under Subsection (7) 221 for hydrogen production using electricity for which the taxpayer claims a tax 222 credit under this Subsection (5); and 223 (iv) the taxpayer obtains a written certification from the office in accordance with 224 Subsection (8). 225 (b)(i) Subject to Subsection (5)(b)(ii), a tax credit under this Subsection (5) is equal 226 to the product of: 227 (A) 0.35 cents; and 228 (B) the kilowatt hours of electricity produced and used or sold during the taxable 229 year. 230 (ii) A taxpayer is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection (5) for 231 production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the month in 232 which the commercial energy system is placed in commercial service. - 7 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 233 (c) A taxpayer that is a lessee of a commercial energy system installed on a commercial 234 unit may claim a tax credit under this Subsection (5) if the taxpayer confirms that the 235 lessor irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 236 (6)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (6), a taxpayer may claim a 237 refundable tax credit as provided in this Subsection (6) if: 238 (i) the taxpayer owns a commercial energy system that uses solar equipment capable 239 of producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; 240 (ii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required by 241 commercial units owned or used by the taxpayer; or 242 (B) the taxpayer sells all or part of the energy produced by the commercial energy 243 system as a commercial enterprise; 244 (iii) the taxpayer does not claim a tax credit under Subsection (4) and has not claimed 245 and will not claim a tax credit under Subsection (7) for hydrogen production using 246 electricity for which a taxpayer claims a tax credit under this Subsection (6); and 247 (iv) the taxpayer obtains a written certification from the office in accordance with 248 Subsection (8). 249 (b)(i) Subject to Subsection (6)(b)(ii), a tax credit under this Subsection (6) is equal 250 to the product of: 251 (A) 0.35 cents; and 252 (B) the kilowatt hours of electricity produced and used or sold during the taxable 253 year. 254 (ii) A taxpayer is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection (6) for 255 production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the month in 256 which the commercial energy system is placed in commercial service. 257 (c) A taxpayer that is a lessee of a commercial energy system installed on a commercial 258 unit may claim a tax credit under this Subsection (6) if the taxpayer confirms that the 259 lessor irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 260 (7)(a) A taxpayer may claim a refundable tax credit as provided in this Subsection (7) if: 261 (i) the taxpayer owns a hydrogen production system; 262 (ii) the hydrogen production system is completed and placed in service on or after 263 January 1, 2022; 264 (iii) the taxpayer sells as a commercial enterprise, or supplies for the taxpayer's own 265 use in commercial units, the hydrogen produced from the hydrogen production 266 system; - 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 267 (iv) the taxpayer has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under Subsection (4), 268 (5), or (6) or Section 59-7-626 for electricity or hydrogen used to meet the 269 requirements of this Subsection (7); and 270 (v) the taxpayer obtains a written certification from the office in accordance with 271 Subsection (8). 272 (b)(i) Subject to Subsections (7)(b)(ii) and (iii), a tax credit under this Subsection (7) 273 is equal to the product of: 274 (A) $0.12; and 275 (B) the number of kilograms of hydrogen produced during the taxable year. 276 (ii) A taxpayer may not receive a tax credit under this Subsection (7) for more than 277 5,600 metric tons of hydrogen per taxable year. 278 (iii) A taxpayer is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection (7) for 279 production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the month in 280 which the hydrogen production system is placed in commercial service. 281 (8)(a) Before a taxpayer may claim a tax credit under this section, the taxpayer shall 282 obtain a written certification from the office. 283 (b) The office shall issue a taxpayer a written certification if the office determines that: 284 (i) the taxpayer meets the requirements of this section to receive a tax credit; and 285 (ii) the residential energy system, the commercial energy system, or the hydrogen 286 production system with respect to which the taxpayer seeks to claim a tax credit: 287 (A) has been completely installed; 288 (B) is a viable system for saving or producing energy from clean resources; and 289 (C) is safe, reliable, efficient, and technically feasible to ensure that the residential 290 energy system, the commercial energy system, or the hydrogen production 291 system uses the state's clean and nonrenewable energy resources in an 292 appropriate and economic manner. 293 (c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the 294 office may make rules: 295 (i) for determining whether a residential energy system, a commercial energy system, 296 or a hydrogen production system meets the requirements of Subsection (8)(b)(ii); 297 and 298 (ii) for purposes of a tax credit under Subsection (3) or (4), establishing the 299 reasonable costs of a residential energy system or a commercial energy system, as 300 an amount per unit of energy production. - 9 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 301 (d) A taxpayer that obtains a written certification from the office shall retain the 302 certification for the same time period a person is required to keep books and records 303 under Section 59-1-1406. 304 (e) The office shall submit to the commission an electronic list that includes: 305 (i) the name and identifying information of each taxpayer to which the office issues a 306 written certification; and 307 (ii) for each taxpayer: 308 (A) the amount of the tax credit listed on the written certification; and 309 (B) the date the clean energy system was installed. 310 (9) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the 311 commission may make rules to address the certification of a tax credit under this section. 312 (10) A tax credit under this section is in addition to any tax credits provided under the laws 313 or rules and regulations of the United States. 314 (11) A taxpayer may not claim or carry forward a tax credit described in this section in a 315 taxable year during which the taxpayer claims or carries forward a tax credit under 316 Section 59-7-614.7. 317 Section 2. Section 59-10-1014 is amended to read: 318 59-10-1014 . Nonrefundable clean energy systems tax credits -- Definitions -- 319 Certification -- Rulemaking authority. 320 (1) As used in this section: 321 (a)(i) "Active solar system" means a system of equipment that is capable of: 322 (A) collecting and converting incident solar radiation into thermal, mechanical, or 323 electrical energy; and 324 (B) transferring a form of energy described in Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) by a 325 separate apparatus to storage or to the point of use. 326 (ii) "Active solar system" includes water heating, space heating or cooling, and 327 electrical or mechanical energy generation. 328 (b) "Biomass system" means a system of apparatus and equipment for use in: 329 (i) converting material into biomass energy, as defined in Section 59-12-102; and 330 (ii) transporting the biomass energy by separate apparatus to the point of use or 331 storage. 332 (c) "Direct use geothermal system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that 333 enables the direct use of geothermal energy to meet energy needs, including heating a 334 building, an industrial process, and aquaculture. - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 335 (d) "Geothermal electricity" means energy that is: 336 (i) contained in heat that continuously flows outward from the earth; and 337 (ii) used as a sole source of energy to produce electricity. 338 (e) "Geothermal energy" means energy generated by heat that is contained in the earth. 339 (f) "Geothermal heat pump system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that: 340 (i) enables the use of thermal properties contained in the earth at temperatures well 341 below 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and 342 (ii) helps meet heating and cooling needs of a structure. 343 (g) "Hydroenergy system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that is capable of: 344 (i) intercepting and converting kinetic water energy into electrical or mechanical 345 energy; and 346 (ii) transferring this form of energy by separate apparatus to the point of use or 347 storage. 348 (h) "Office" means the Office of Energy Development created in Section 79-6-401. 349 (i)(i) "Passive solar system" means a direct thermal system that utilizes the structure 350 of a building and its operable components to provide for collection, storage, and 351 distribution of heating or cooling during the appropriate times of the year by 352 utilizing the climate resources available at the site. 353 (ii) "Passive solar system" includes those portions and components of a building that 354 are expressly designed and required for the collection, storage, and distribution of 355 solar energy. 356 (j) "Photovoltaic system" means an active solar system that generates electricity from 357 sunlight. 358 (k)(i) "Principal recovery portion" means the portion of a lease payment that 359 constitutes the cost a person incurs in acquiring a residential energy system. 360 (ii) "Principal recovery portion" does not include: 361 (A) an interest charge; or 362 (B) a maintenance expense. 363 (l) "Residential energy system" means the following used to supply energy to or for a 364 residential unit: 365 (i) an active solar system; 366 (ii) a biomass system; 367 (iii) a direct use geothermal system; 368 (iv) a geothermal heat pump system; - 11 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 369 (v) a hydroenergy system; 370 (vi) a passive solar system; or 371 (vii) a wind system. 372 (m)(i) "Residential unit" means a house, condominium, apartment, or similar 373 dwelling unit that: 374 (A) is located in the state; and 375 (B) serves as a dwelling for a person, group of persons, or a family. 376 (ii) "Residential unit" does not include property subject to a fee under: 377 (A) Section 59-2-405; 378 (B) Section 59-2-405.1; 379 (C) Section 59-2-405.2; 380 (D) Section 59-2-405.3; or 381 (E) Section 72-10-110.5. 382 (n) "Wind system" means a system of apparatus and equipment that is capable of: 383 (i) intercepting and converting wind energy into mechanical or electrical energy; and 384 (ii) transferring these forms of energy by a separate apparatus to the point of use or 385 storage. 386 (2) A claimant, estate, or trust may claim an energy system tax credit as provided in this 387 section against a tax due under this chapter for [a taxable year] an energy system that is 388 completed and placed in service before January 1, 2028. 389 (3) For a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2007, a claimant, estate, or trust may 390 claim a nonrefundable tax credit under this section with respect to a residential unit the 391 claimant, estate, or trust owns or uses if: 392 (a) the claimant, estate, or trust: 393 (i) purchases and completes a residential energy system to supply all or part of the 394 energy required for the residential unit; or 395 (ii) participates in the financing of a residential energy system to supply all or part of 396 the energy required for the residential unit; 397 (b) the residential energy system is installed on or after January 1, 2007; and 398 (c) the claimant, estate, or trust obtains a written certification from the office in 399 accordance with Subsection (5). 400 (4)(a) For a residential energy system, other than a photovoltaic system, the tax credit 401 described in this section is equal to the lesser of: 402 (i) 25% of the reasonable costs, including installation costs, of each residential - 12 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 403 energy system installed with respect to each residential unit the claimant, estate, or 404 trust owns or uses; and 405 (ii) $2,000. 406 (b) Subject to Subsection (5)(d), for a residential energy system that is a photovoltaic 407 system, the tax credit described in this section is equal to the lesser of: 408 (i) 25% of the reasonable costs, including installation costs, of each system installed 409 with respect to each residential unit the claimant, estate, or trust owns or uses; or 410 (ii)(A) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2007, but on or before 411 December 31, 2017, $2,000; 412 (B) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2018, but on or before December 413 31, 2020, $1,600; 414 (C) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2021, but on or before December 415 31, 2021, $1,200; 416 (D) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2022, but on or before December 417 31, 2022, $800; 418 (E) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2023, but on or before December 419 31, 2023, $400; and 420 (F) for a system installed on or after January 1, 2024, $0. 421 (c)(i) The office shall determine the amount of the tax credit that a claimant, estate, or 422 trust may claim and list that amount on the written certification that the office 423 issues under Subsection (5). 424 (ii) The claimant, estate, or trust may claim the tax credit in the amount listed on the 425 written certification that the office issues under Subsection (5). 426 (d) A claimant, estate, or trust may claim a tax credit under Subsection (3) for the 427 taxable year in which the residential energy system is installed. 428 (e) If the amount of a tax credit listed on the written certification exceeds a claimant's, 429 estate's, or trust's tax liability under this chapter for a taxable year, the claimant, 430 estate, or trust may carry forward the amount of the tax credit exceeding the liability 431 for a period that does not exceed the next four taxable years. 432 (f) A claimant, estate, or trust may claim a tax credit with respect to additional 433 residential energy systems or parts of residential energy systems for a subsequent 434 taxable year if the total amount of tax credit the claimant, estate, or trust claims does 435 not exceed $2,000 per residential unit. 436 (g)(i) Subject to Subsections (4)(g)(ii) and (iii), a claimant, estate, or trust that leases - 13 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 437 a residential energy system installed on a residential unit may claim a tax credit 438 under Subsection (3) if the claimant, estate, or trust confirms that the lessor 439 irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 440 (ii) A claimant, estate, or trust described in Subsection (4)(g)(i) that leases a 441 residential energy system may claim as a tax credit under Subsection (3) only the 442 principal recovery portion of the lease payments. 443 (iii) A claimant, estate, or trust described in Subsection (4)(g)(i) that leases a 444 residential energy system may claim a tax credit under Subsection (3) for a period 445 that does not exceed seven taxable years after the date the lease begins, as stated 446 in the lease agreement. 447 (h) If a claimant, estate, or trust sells a residential unit to another person before the 448 claimant, estate, or trust claims the tax credit under Subsection (3): 449 (i) the claimant, estate, or trust may assign the tax credit to the other person; and 450 (ii)(A) if the other person files a return under Chapter 7, Corporate Franchise and 451 Income Taxes, the other person may claim the tax credit as if the other person 452 had met the requirements of Section 59-7-614 to claim the tax credit; or 453 (B) if the other person files a return under this chapter, the other person may claim 454 the tax credit under this section as if the other person had met the requirements 455 of this section to claim the tax credit. 456 (5)(a) Before a claimant, estate, or trust may claim a tax credit under this section, the 457 claimant, estate, or trust shall obtain a written certification from the office. 458 (b) The office shall issue a claimant, estate, or trust a written certification if the office 459 determines that: 460 (i) the claimant, estate, or trust meets the requirements of this section to receive a tax 461 credit; and 462 (ii) the office determines that the residential energy system with respect to which the 463 claimant, estate, or trust seeks to claim a tax credit: 464 (A) has been completely installed; 465 (B) is a viable system for saving or producing energy from clean resources; and 466 (C) is safe, reliable, efficient, and technically feasible to ensure that the residential 467 energy system uses the state's renewable and nonrenewable energy resources in 468 an appropriate and economic manner. 469 (c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the 470 office may make rules: - 14 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 471 (i) for determining whether a residential energy system meets the requirements of 472 Subsection (5)(b)(ii); and 473 (ii) for purposes of determining the amount of a tax credit that a claimant, estate, or 474 trust may receive under Subsection (4), establishing the reasonable costs of a 475 residential energy system, as an amount per unit of energy production. 476 (d) A claimant, estate, or trust that obtains a written certification from the office shall 477 retain the certification for the same time period a person is required to keep books 478 and records under Section 59-1-1406. 479 (e) The office shall submit to the commission an electronic list that includes: 480 (i) the name and identifying information of each claimant, estate, or trust to which the 481 office issues a written certification; and 482 (ii) for each claimant, estate, or trust: 483 (A) the amount of the tax credit listed on the written certification; and 484 (B) the date the clean energy system was installed. 485 (6) A tax credit under this section is in addition to any tax credits provided under the laws 486 or rules and regulations of the United States. 487 (7) A purchaser of one or more solar units that claims a tax credit under Section 59-10-1024 488 for the purchase of the one or more solar units may not claim a tax credit under this 489 section for that purchase. 490 Section 3. Section 59-10-1106 is amended to read: 491 59-10-1106 . Refundable clean energy systems tax credits -- Definitions -- 492 Certification -- Rulemaking authority. 493 (1) As used in this section: 494 (a) "Active solar system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. 495 (b) "Biomass system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. 496 (c) "Commercial energy system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 497 59-7-614. 498 (d) "Commercial enterprise" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-7-614. 499 (e) "Commercial unit" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-7-614. 500 (f) "Direct use geothermal system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 501 59-10-1014. 502 (g) "Geothermal electricity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 503 59-10-1014. 504 (h) "Geothermal energy" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. - 15 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 505 (i) "Geothermal heat pump system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 506 59-10-1014. 507 (j) "Hydroenergy system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. 508 (k) "Hydrogen production system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 509 59-7-614. 510 (l) "Office" means the Office of Energy Development created in Section 79-6-401. 511 (m) "Passive solar system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. 512 (n) "Principal recovery portion" means the same as that term is defined in Section 513 59-10-1014. 514 (o) "Wind system" means the same as that term is defined in Section 59-10-1014. 515 (2) A claimant, estate, or trust may claim an energy system tax credit as provided in this 516 section against a tax due under this chapter for [a taxable year] an energy system that is 517 completed and placed in service before January 1, 2028. 518 (3)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (3), a claimant, estate, or trust 519 may claim a refundable tax credit under this Subsection (3) with respect to a 520 commercial energy system if: 521 (i) the commercial energy system does not use: 522 (A) wind, geothermal electricity, solar, or biomass equipment capable of 523 producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; or 524 (B) solar equipment capable of producing 2,000 or more kilowatts of electricity; 525 (ii) the claimant, estate, or trust purchases or participates in the financing of the 526 commercial energy system; 527 (iii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required 528 by commercial units owned or used by the claimant, estate, or trust; or 529 (B) the claimant, estate, or trust sells all or part of the energy produced by the 530 commercial energy system as a commercial enterprise; 531 (iv) the claimant, estate, or trust has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under 532 Subsection (6) for hydrogen production using electricity for which the claimant, 533 estate, or trust claims a tax credit under this Subsection (3); and 534 (v) the claimant, estate, or trust obtains a written certification from the office in 535 accordance with Subsection (7). 536 (b)(i) Subject to Subsections (3)(b)(ii) through (iv), the tax credit is equal to 10% of 537 the reasonable costs of the commercial energy system. 538 (ii) A tax credit under this Subsection (3) may include installation costs. - 16 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 539 (iii) A claimant, estate, or trust is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection 540 (3) for the taxable year in which the commercial energy system is completed and 541 placed in service. 542 (iv) The total amount of tax credit a claimant, estate, or trust may claim under this 543 Subsection (3) may not exceed $50,000 per commercial unit. 544 (c)(i) Subject to Subsections (3)(c)(ii) and (iii), a claimant, estate, or trust that is a 545 lessee of a commercial energy system installed on a commercial unit may claim a 546 tax credit under this Subsection (3) if the claimant, estate, or trust confirms that 547 the lessor irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 548 (ii) A claimant, estate, or trust described in Subsection (3)(c)(i) may claim as a tax 549 credit under this Subsection (3) only the principal recovery portion of the lease 550 payments. 551 (iii) A claimant, estate, or trust described in Subsection (3)(c)(i) may claim a tax 552 credit under this Subsection (3) for a period that does not exceed seven taxable 553 years after the day on which the lease begins, as stated in the lease agreement. 554 (4)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (4), a claimant, estate, or trust 555 may claim a refundable tax credit under this Subsection (4) with respect to a 556 commercial energy system if: 557 (i) the commercial energy system uses wind, geothermal electricity, or biomass 558 equipment capable of producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; 559 (ii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required by 560 commercial units owned or used by the claimant, estate, or trust; or 561 (B) the claimant, estate, or trust sells all or part of the energy produced by the 562 commercial energy system as a commercial enterprise; 563 (iii) the claimant, estate, or trust has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under 564 Subsection (6) for hydrogen production using electricity for which the claimant, 565 estate, or trust claims a tax credit under this Subsection (4); and 566 (iv) the claimant, estate, or trust obtains a written certification from the office in 567 accordance with Subsection (7). 568 (b)(i) Subject to Subsection (4)(b)(ii), a tax credit under this Subsection (4) is equal 569 to the product of: 570 (A) 0.35 cents; and 571 (B) the kilowatt hours of electricity produced and used or sold during the taxable 572 year. - 17 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 573 (ii) A claimant, estate, or trust is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection 574 (4) for production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the 575 month in which the commercial energy system is placed in commercial service. 576 (c) A claimant, estate, or trust that is a lessee of a commercial energy system installed on 577 a commercial unit may claim a tax credit under this Subsection (4) if the claimant, 578 estate, or trust confirms that the lessor irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 579 (5)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (5), a claimant, estate, or trust 580 may claim a refundable tax credit as provided in this Subsection (5) if: 581 (i) the claimant, estate, or trust owns a commercial energy system that uses solar 582 equipment capable of producing a total of 660 or more kilowatts of electricity; 583 (ii)(A) the commercial energy system supplies all or part of the energy required by 584 commercial units owned or used by the claimant, estate, or trust; or 585 (B) the claimant, estate, or trust sells all or part of the energy produced by the 586 commercial energy system as a commercial enterprise; 587 (iii) the claimant, estate, or trust does not claim a tax credit under Subsection (3); 588 (iv) the claimant, estate, or trust has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under 589 Subsection (6) for hydrogen production using electricity for which a taxpayer 590 claims a tax credit under this Subsection (5); and 591 (v) the claimant, estate, or trust obtains a written certification from the office in 592 accordance with Subsection (7). 593 (b)(i) Subject to Subsection (5)(b)(ii), a tax credit under this Subsection (5) is equal 594 to the product of: 595 (A) 0.35 cents; and 596 (B) the kilowatt hours of electricity produced and used or sold during the taxable 597 year. 598 (ii) A claimant, estate, or trust is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection 599 (5) for production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the 600 month in which the commercial energy system is placed in commercial service. 601 (c) A claimant, estate, or trust that is a lessee of a commercial energy system installed on 602 a commercial unit may claim a tax credit under this Subsection (5) if the claimant, 603 estate, or trust confirms that the lessor irrevocably elects not to claim the tax credit. 604 (6)(a) A claimant, estate, or trust may claim a refundable tax credit as provided in this 605 Subsection (6) if: 606 (i) the claimant, estate, or trust owns a hydrogen production system; - 18 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 264 607 (ii) the hydrogen production system is completed and placed in service on or after 608 January 1, 2022; 609 (iii) the claimant, estate, or trust sells as a commercial enterprise, or supplies for the 610 claimant's, estate's, or trust's own use in commercial units, the hydrogen produced 611 from the hydrogen production system; 612 (iv) the claimant, estate, or trust has not claimed and will not claim a tax credit under 613 Subsection (3), (4), or (5) for electricity used to meet the requirements of this 614 Subsection (6); and 615 (v) the claimant, estate, or trust obtains a written certification from the office in 616 accordance with Subsection (7). 617 (b)(i) Subject to Subsections (6)(b)(ii) and (iii), a tax credit under this Subsection (6) 618 is equal to the product of: 619 (A) $0.12; and 620 (B) the number of kilograms of hydrogen produced during the taxable year. 621 (ii) A claimant, estate, or trust may not receive a tax credit under this Subsection (6) 622 for more than 5,600 metric tons of hydrogen per taxable year. 623 (iii) A claimant, estate, or trust is eligible to claim a tax credit under this Subsection 624 (6) for production occurring during a period of 48 months beginning with the 625 month in which the hydrogen production system is placed in commercial service. 626 (7)(a) Before a claimant, estate, or trust may claim a tax credit under this section, the 627 claimant, estate, or trust shall obtain a written certification from the office. 628 (b) The office shall issue a claimant, estate, or trust a written certification if the office 629 determines that: 630 (i) the claimant, estate, or trust meets the requirements of this section to receive a tax 631 credit; and 632 (ii) the commercial energy system or the hydrogen production system with respect to 633 which the claimant, estate, or trust seeks to claim a tax credit: 634 (A) has been completely installed; 635 (B) is a viable system for saving or producing energy from clean resources; and 636 (C) is safe, reliable, efficient, and technically feasible to ensure that the 637 commercial energy system or the hydrogen production system uses the state's 638 clean and nonrenewable resources in an appropriate and economic manner. 639 (c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the 640 office may make rules: - 19 - H.B. 264 Enrolled Copy 641 (i) for determining whether a commercial energy system or a hydrogen production 642 system meets the requirements of Subsection (7)(b)(ii); and 643 (ii) for purposes of a tax credit under Subsection (3), establishing the reasonable costs 644 of a commercial energy system, as an amount per unit of energy production. 645 (d) A claimant, estate, or trust that obtains a written certification from the office shall 646 retain the certification for the same time period a person is required to keep books 647 and records under Section 59-1-1406. 648 (e) The office shall submit to the commission an electronic list that includes: 649 (i) the name and identifying information of each claimant, estate, or trust to which the 650 office issues a written certification; and 651 (ii) for each claimant, estate, or trust: 652 (A) the amount of the tax credit listed on the written certification; and 653 (B) the date the commercial energy system or the hydrogen production system 654 was installed. 655 (8) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the 656 commission may make rules to address the certification of a tax credit under this section. 657 (9) A tax credit under this section is in addition to any tax credits provided under the laws 658 or rules and regulations of the United States. 659 (10) A purchaser of one or more solar units that claims a tax credit under Section 660 59-10-1024 for the purchase of the one or more solar units may not claim a tax credit 661 under this section for that purchase. 662 (11) A claimant, estate, or trust may not claim or carry forward a tax credit described in this 663 section in a taxable year during which the claimant, estate, or trust claims or carries 664 forward a tax credit under Section 59-10-1029. 665 Section 4. Repealer. 666 This bill repeals: 667 Section 59-7-614.7, Nonrefundable alternative energy development tax credit. 668 Section 59-10-1024, Nonrefundable tax credit for qualifying solar projects. 669 Section 59-10-1029, Nonrefundable alternative energy development tax credit. 670 Section 5. Effective Date. 671 This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025. 672 Section 6. Retrospective operation. 673 This bill has retrospective operation for a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 674 2025. - 20 -