Energy Efficiency Rebates

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Electric Power Generation and Storage Equipment

California Tax Incentive

program summary

AB 1817 of 2018 created an exemption from the sales and use tax for "qualified tangible personal property purchased for use by a qualified person to be used primarily in the generation or production, or storage and distribution, of electric power." The exemption also applies to contractors who purchase the equipment in the service of a contract with a qualified person. "Qualified person" is defined in the statutes. 

The exemption does not apply to the generation or production of electricity from nuclear energy, large hydro, or fossil fuels, except when used in cogeneration. However, the exemption does apply to the storage and distribution of electric power from any source.  

The exemption also applies to "special purpose buildings and foundations used as an integral part of the generation or production or storage and distribution of electric power."



eligible technologies
Anaerobic Digestion, Biomass, Combined Heat & Power, Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Geothermal Electric, Hydroelectric (Small), Landfill Gas, Lithium-ion, Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Electric, Wind (All)
program administrator
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
program timeline
Program start date: 2018-01-01
Program end date: 2030-07-01
program notes
2025-03-21 15:05:42
Annual review, no changes.
2024-04-26 14:03:53
Annual review, no changes
2023-03-16 16:24:47
Annual review, no changes
2022-06-02 18:20:27
Annual review, no changes
2020-07-27 13:00:00
Annual Review, no policy changes
2019-12-10 18:12:23
Annual review. No changes.