Threat evaluation firm VDE Americas has launched steerage for challenge homeowners and builders in assembly the July 4, 2026, deadline to qualify for sunsetting clear power tax credit.
Credit score: Alliant Vitality
The conclusions within the technical memorandum, “Navigating Starting of Building Necessities for Photo voltaic Tasks,” characterize VDE’s evaluation based mostly on its interpretation of printed steerage and knowledgeable understanding of engineering, procurement and building greatest practices.
Via incentive modifications within the One Large Lovely Invoice Act (OBBBA), photo voltaic tasks over 1.5 MW should now meet a extra rigorous tax credit score eligibility threshold by performing certified “bodily work of a big nature” earlier than the deadline.
Developed by trusted engineering subject material consultants at VDE, the newly launched technical memorandum empowers stakeholders to take decisive actions that maximize the variety of photo voltaic tasks qualifying for tax credit. It additionally compiles suggestions that builders can use to rightsize capital expenditures earlier than challenge financing closes whereas lowering publicity to regulatory dangers. The memo pertains to all business market sectors, gives steerage for utility and group photo voltaic tasks, and covers each the funding tax credit score (ITC) and manufacturing tax credit score (PTC).
Along with the detailed steerage in its technical memorandum, VDE provides the next high-level strategic suggestions:
- Obtain and evaluate the start of building tech memo. The rules embrace an in depth evaluation of qualifying onsite and offsite work actions that may meet the bodily work check. The memo additionally features a 5-MW challenge instance and a compendium of authorized opinion ranges.
- Meet the development graduation deadline wherever attainable. This date basically alters photo voltaic challenge economics and execution dangers. Tasks that set up starting of building after July 4 face a difficult and doubtlessly insurmountable 18-month placed-in-service deadline for tax credit score eligibility.
- Undertake enhanced documentation requirements to scale back interpretive threat. Thorough documentation that features date-stamped pictures with GPS coordinates and inspector experiences is important to satisfy the heightened “work carried out” customary and show completion of tax credit score qualifying work actions.
- Execute contracts for services with tax credit score eligibility in thoughts. Coordinate along with your authorized group — or use VDE’s turnkey request for proposal (RFP) templates — to ascertain complete technical specs that fulfill Treasury’s “bodily work of a big nature” necessities.
“We’re seeing extraordinary demand for extra energy capability all through america, spurred by energy-intensive industries, American manufacturing initiatives, the rise of knowledge facilities, and broader electrification efforts,” stated Brian Grenko, CEO and President of VDE Americas. “Photo voltaic power stays the quickest and most cost-effective means for assembly that demand, and VDE Americas is dedicated to serving to our shoppers develop, assemble, finance, and function these power-generating amenities, whereas navigating our dynamic regulatory surroundings.”
Information merchandise from VDE Americas
