A Red Deer County councillor wants to look at giving residents who install solar systems in their homes a tax break.
Coun. Lonny Kennett said he has heard from a number of residents that the current system is a disincentive to installing solar power systems in homes.
“This is what I hear, ‘I’d like to put solar in my place. But if it’s going to cost me $50,000 to install it and then I’m going to be hit with a $50,000 increase in my assessment because it’s seen as an improvement. That just means I can’t do it.’”
In a notice of motion made Tuesday, Kennett asked that administration investigate the possibility of reducing assessments to the added value of solar installations. That would mean a home’s assessment would not increase when solar power was added.
The potential tax break is meant only for solar power that is used for the resident’s use, not for power sold to the grid. Also not included would be solar power systems businesses install to reduce their electricity bills.
“I’m not talking about the big commercial farms. I’m talking about just the residential (systems). It’s really not going to cost the county a lot in tax, but will just give people a little break on doing the right thing,” he added.
“I think it would also fit into our long-term plans.”
Council approved a list of its strategic priorities on Tuesday that includes alternative energy policies and guidelines as a topic for discussion this year.
Kennett’s notice of motion will come back to the March 21 council meeting for debate.