26 USC 48 - Energy credit

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 27, 2024

§ 48.

Energy credit

(a)

Energy credit

(1)

In general

(2)

Energy percentage

(A)

In general

Except as provided in paragraphs (6) and (7), the energy percentage is—

(i)

6 percent in the case of—

(I)

qualified fuel cell property,

(II)

energy property described in clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A) but only with respect to property the construction of which begins before January 1, 2025,

(III)

energy property described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii),

(IV)

qualified small wind energy property,

(V)

waste energy recovery property,

(VI)

energy storage technology,

(VII)

qualified biogas property,

(VIII)

microgrid controllers, and

(IX)

energy property described in clauses (v) and (vii) of paragraph (3)(A), and

(ii)

in the case of any energy property to which clause (i) does not apply, 2 percent.

(B)

Coordination with rehabilitation credit

(3)

Energy property

For purposes of this subpart, the term “energy property” means any property—

(A)

which is—

(i)

equipment which uses solar energy to generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat, excepting property used to generate energy for the purposes of heating a swimming pool,

(ii)

equipment which uses solar energy to illuminate the inside of a structure using fiber-optic distributed sunlight, or electrochromic glass which uses electricity to change its light transmittance properties in order to heat or cool a structure, but only with respect to property the construction of which begins before January 1, 2025,

(iii)

equipment used to produce, distribute, or use energy derived from a geothermal deposit (within the meaning of section 613(e)(2)), but only, in the case of electricity generated by geothermal power, up to (but not including) the electrical transmission stage,

(iv)

qualified fuel cell property or qualified microturbine property,

(v)

combined heat and power system property,

(vi)

qualified small wind energy property,

(vii)

equipment which uses the ground or ground water as a thermal energy source to heat a structure or as a thermal energy sink to cool a structure, but only with respect to property the construction of which begins before January 1, 2035,

(viii)

waste energy recovery property,

(ix)

energy storage technology,

(x)

qualified biogas property, or

(xi)

microgrid controllers,

(B)

(i)

the construction, reconstruction, or erection of which is completed by the taxpayer, or

(ii)

which is acquired by the taxpayer if the original use of such property commences with the taxpayer,

(C)

with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable, and

(D)

which meets the performance and quality standards (if any) which—

(i)

have been prescribed by the Secretary by regulations (after consultation with the Secretary of Energy), and

(ii)

are in effect at the time of the acquisition of the property.

Such term shall not include any property which is part of a facility the production from which is allowed as a credit under section 45 for the taxable year or any prior taxable year.

(4)

Special rule for property financed by tax-exempt bonds

(5)

Election to treat qualified facilities as energy property

(A)

In general

In the case of any qualified property which is part of a qualified investment credit facility—

(i)

such property shall be treated as energy property for purposes of this section, and

(ii)

the energy percentage with respect to such property shall be 6 percent.

(B)

Denial of production credit

(C)

Qualified investment credit facility

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified investment credit facility” means any facility—

(i)

which is a qualified facility (within the meaning of section 45) described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (9), or (11) of section 45(d),

(ii)

which is placed in service after 2008 and the construction of which begins before January 1, 2025, and

(iii)

with respect to which—

(I)

no credit has been allowed under section 45, and

(II)

the taxpayer makes an irrevocable election to have this paragraph apply.

(D)

Qualified property

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified property” means property—

(i)

which is—

(I)

tangible personal property, or

(II)

other tangible property (not including a building or its structural components), but only if such property is used as an integral part of the qualified investment credit facility,

(ii)

with respect to which depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is allowable,

(iii)

which is constructed, reconstructed, erected, or acquired by the taxpayer, and

(iv)

the original use of which commences with the taxpayer.

(E)

Phaseout of credit for wind facilities

In the case of any facility using wind to produce electricity which is placed in service before January 1, 2022, and treated as energy property by reason of this paragraph, the amount of the credit determined under this section (determined after the application of paragraphs (1) and (2) and without regard to this subparagraph) shall be reduced by—

(i)

in the case of any facility the construction of which begins after December 31, 2016, and before January 1, 2018, 20 percent,

(ii)

in the case of any facility the construction of which begins after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2019, 40 percent,

(iii)

in the case of any facility the construction of which begins after December 31, 2018, and before January 1, 2020, 60 percent, and

(iv)

in the case of any facility the construction of which begins after December 31, 2019, and before January 1, 2022, 40 percent.

(F)

Qualified offshore wind facilities

(i)

In general

(ii)

Qualified offshore wind facility

(6)

Phaseout for certain energy property

(7)

Phaseout for certain energy property

In the case of any energy property described in clause (vii) of paragraph (3)(A), the energy percentage determined under paragraph (2) shall be equal to—

(A)

in the case of any property the construction of which begins before January 1, 2033, and which is placed in service after December 31, 2021, 6 percent,

(B)

in the case of any property the construction of which begins after December 31, 2032, and before January 1, 2034, 5.2 percent, and

(C)

in the case of any property the construction of which begins after December 31, 2033, and before January 1, 2035, 4.4 percent.

(8)

Interconnection property

(A)

In general

(B)

Qualified interconnection property

The term “qualified interconnection property” means, with respect to an energy project which is not a microgrid controller, any tangible property—

(i)

which is part of an addition, modification, or upgrade to a transmission or distribution system which is required at or beyond the point at which the energy project interconnects to such transmission or distribution system in order to accommodate such interconnection,

(ii)

either—

(I)

which is constructed, reconstructed, or erected by the taxpayer, or

(II)

for which the cost with respect to the construction, reconstruction, or erection of such property is paid or incurred by such taxpayer, and

(iii)

the original use of which, pursuant to an interconnection agreement, commences with a utility.

(C)

Interconnection agreement

(D)

Utility

(E)

Special rule for interconnection property

(9)

Increased credit amount for energy projects

(A)

In general

(i)

Rule

(ii)

Energy project defined

(B)

Project requirements

A project meets the requirements of this subparagraph if it is one of the following:

(i)

A project with a maximum net output of less than 1 megawatt of electrical (as measured in alternating current) or thermal energy.

(ii)

A project the construction of which begins before the date that is 60 days after the Secretary publishes guidance with respect to the requirements of paragraphs (10)(A) and (11).

(iii)

A project which satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (10)(A) and (11).

(10)

Prevailing wage requirements

(A)

In general

The requirements described in this subparagraph with respect to any energy project are that the taxpayer shall ensure that any laborers and mechanics employed by the taxpayer or any contractor or subcontractor in—

(i)

the construction of such energy project, and

(ii)

for the 5-year period beginning on the date such project is originally placed in service, the alteration or repair of such project,

shall be paid wages at rates not less than the prevailing rates for construction, alteration, or repair of a similar character in the locality in which such project is located as most recently determined by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. Subject to subparagraph (C), for purposes of any determination under paragraph (9)(A)(i) for the taxable year in which the energy project is placed in service, the taxpayer shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement under clause (ii) at the time such project is placed in service.

(B)

Correction and penalty related to failure to satisfy wage requirements

(C)

Recapture

(11)

Apprenticeship requirements

(12)

Domestic content bonus credit amount

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirement

(C)

Applicable credit rate increase

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable credit rate increase shall be—

(i)

in the case of an energy project which does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (9)(B), 2 percentage points, and

(ii)

in the case of an energy project which satisfies the requirements of paragraph (9)(B), 10 percentage points.

(13)

Phaseout for elective payment

(14)

Increase in credit rate for energy communities

(A)

In general

(B)

Applicable credit rate increase

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the applicable credit rate increase shall be equal to—

(i)

in the case of any energy project which does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph (9)(B), 2 percentage points, and

(ii)

in the case of any energy project which satisfies the requirements of paragraph (9)(B), 10 percentage points.

(15)

Election to treat clean hydrogen production facilities as energy property

(A)

In general

In the case of any qualified property (as defined in paragraph (5)(D)) which is part of a specified clean hydrogen production facility—

(i)

such property shall be treated as energy property for purposes of this section, and

(ii)

the energy percentage with respect to such property is—

(I)

in the case of a facility which is designed and reasonably expected to produce qualified clean hydrogen which is described in a subparagraph (A) of section 45V(b)(2), 1.2 percent,

(II)

in the case of a facility which is designed and reasonably expected to produce qualified clean hydrogen which is described in a subparagraph (B) of such section, 1.5 percent,

(III)

in the case of a facility which is designed and reasonably expected to produce qualified clean hydrogen which is described in a subparagraph (C) of such section, 2 percent, and

(IV)

in the case of a facility which is designed and reasonably expected to produce qualified clean hydrogen which is described in subparagraph (D) of such section, 6 percent.

(B)

Denial of production credit

(C)

Specified clean hydrogen production facility

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “specified clean hydrogen production facility” means any qualified clean hydrogen production facility (as defined in section 45V(c)(3))—

(i)

which is placed in service after December 31, 2022,

(ii)

with respect to which—

(I)

no credit has been allowed under section 45V or 45Q, and

(II)

the taxpayer makes an irrevocable election to have this paragraph apply, and

(iii)

for which an unrelated third party has verified (in such form or manner as the Secretary may prescribe) that such facility produces hydrogen through a process which results in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions which are consistent with the hydrogen that such facility was designed and expected to produce under subparagraph (A)(ii).

(D)

Qualified clean hydrogen

(E)

Regulations

(16)

Regulations and guidance

(b)

Certain progress expenditure rules made applicable

(c)

Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1)

Qualified fuel cell property

(A)

In general

The term “qualified fuel cell property” means a fuel cell power plant which—

(i)

has a nameplate capacity of at least 0.5 kilowatt (1 kilowatt in the case of a fuel cell power plant with a linear generator assembly) of electricity using an electrochemical or electromechanical process, and

(ii)

has an electricity-only generation efficiency greater than 30 percent.

(B)

Limitation

(C)

Fuel cell power plant

(D)

Linear generator assembly

(E)

Termination

(2)

Qualified microturbine property

(A)

In general

The term “qualified microturbine property” means a stationary microturbine power plant which—

(i)

has a nameplate capacity of less than 2,000 kilowatts, and

(ii)

has an electricity-only generation efficiency of not less than 26 percent at International Standard Organization conditions.

(B)

Limitation

(C)

Stationary microturbine power plant

(D)

Termination

(3)

Combined heat and power system property

(A)

Combined heat and power system property

The term “combined heat and power system property” means property comprising a system—

(i)

which uses the same energy source for the simultaneous or sequential generation of electrical power, mechanical shaft power, or both, in combination with the generation of steam or other forms of useful thermal energy (including heating and cooling applications),

(ii)

which produces—

(I)

at least 20 percent of its total useful energy in the form of thermal energy which is not used to produce electrical or mechanical power (or combination thereof), and

(II)

at least 20 percent of its total useful energy in the form of electrical or mechanical power (or combination thereof),

(iii)

the energy efficiency percentage of which exceeds 60 percent, and

(iv)

the construction of which begins before January 1, 2025.

(B)

Limitation

(i)

In general

(ii)

Applicable capacity

(iii)

Maximum capacity

(C)

Special rules

(i)

Energy efficiency percentage

For purposes of this paragraph, the energy efficiency percentage of a system is the fraction—

(I)

the numerator of which is the total useful electrical, thermal, and mechanical power produced by the system at normal operating rates, and expected to be consumed in its normal application, and

(II)

the denominator of which is the lower heating value of the fuel sources for the system.

(ii)

Determinations made on Btu basis

(iii)

Input and output property not included

(D)

Systems using biomass

If a system is designed to use biomass (within the meaning of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 45(c) without regard to the last sentence of paragraph (3)(A)) for at least 90 percent of the energy source—

(i)

subparagraph (A)(iii) shall not apply, but

(ii)

the amount of credit determined under subsection (a) with respect to such system shall not exceed the amount which bears the same ratio to such amount of credit (determined without regard to this subparagraph) as the energy efficiency percentage of such system bears to 60 percent.

(4)

Qualified small wind energy property

(A)

In general

(B)

Qualifying small wind turbine

(C)

Termination

(5)

Waste energy recovery property

(A)

In general

(B)

Capacity limitation

(C)

No double benefit

(D)

Termination

(6)

Energy storage technology

(A)

In general

The term “energy storage technology” means—

(i)

property (other than property primarily used in the transportation of goods or individuals and not for the production of electricity) which receives, stores, and delivers energy for conversion to electricity (or, in the case of hydrogen, which stores energy), and has a nameplate capacity of not less than 5 kilowatt hours, and

(ii)

thermal energy storage property.

(B)

Modifications of certain property

In the case of any property which either—

(i)

was placed in service before the date of enactment of this section 1

 See References in Text note below.

and would be described in subparagraph (A)(i), except that such property has a capacity of less than 5 kilowatt hours and is modified in a manner that such property (after such modification) has a nameplate capacity of not less than 5 kilowatt hours, or

(ii)

is described in subparagraph (A)(i) and is modified in a manner that such property (after such modification) has an increase in nameplate capacity of not less than 5 kilowatt hours,

such property shall be treated as described in subparagraph (A)(i) except that the basis of any existing property prior to such modification shall not be taken into account for purposes of this section. In the case of any property to which this subparagraph applies, subparagraph (D) shall be applied by substituting “modification” for “construction”.

(C)

Thermal energy storage property

(i)

In general

Subject to clause (ii), for purposes of this paragraph, the term “thermal energy storage property” means property comprising a system which—

(I)

is directly connected to a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system,

(II)

removes heat from, or adds heat to, a storage medium for subsequent use, and

(III)

provides energy for the heating or cooling of the interior of a residential or commercial building.

(ii)

Exclusion

The term “thermal energy storage property” shall not include—

(I)

a swimming pool,

(II)

combined heat and power system property, or

(III)

a building or its structural components.

(D)

Termination

(7)

Qualified biogas property

(A)

In general

The term “qualified biogas property” means property comprising a system which—

(i)

converts biomass (as defined in section 45K(c)(3), as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph) into a gas which—

(I)

consists of not less than 52 percent methane by volume, or

(II)

is concentrated by such system into a gas which consists of not less than 52 percent methane, and

(ii)

captures such gas for sale or productive use, and not for disposal via combustion.

(B)

Inclusion of cleaning and conditioning property

(C)

Termination

(8)

Microgrid controller

(A)

In general

The term “microgrid controller” means equipment which is—

(i)

part of a qualified microgrid, and

(ii)

designed and used to monitor and control the energy resources and loads on such microgrid.

(B)

Qualified microgrid

The term “qualified microgrid” means an electrical system which—

(i)

includes equipment which is capable of generating not less than 4 kilowatts and not greater than 20 megawatts of electricity,

(ii)

is capable of operating—

(I)

in connection with the electrical grid and as a single controllable entity with respect to such grid, and

(II)

independently (and disconnected) from such grid, and

(iii)

is not part of a bulk-power system (as defined in section 215 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o)).

(C)

Termination

(d)

Coordination with Department of Treasury grants

In the case of any property with respect to which the Secretary makes a grant under section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009—

(1)

Denial of production and investment credits

(2)

Recapture of credits for progress expenditures made before grant

If a credit was determined under this section with respect to such property for any taxable year ending before such grant is made—

(A)

the tax imposed under subtitle A on the taxpayer for the taxable year in which such grant is made shall be increased by so much of such credit as was allowed under section 38,

(B)

the general business carryforwards under section 39 shall be adjusted so as to recapture the portion of such credit which was not so allowed, and

(C)

the amount of such grant shall be determined without regard to any reduction in the basis of such property by reason of such credit.

(3)

Treatment of grants

Any such grant—

(A)

shall not be includible in the gross income or alternative minimum taxable income of the taxpayer, but

(B)

shall be taken into account in determining the basis of the property to which such grant relates, except that the basis of such property shall be reduced under section 50(c) in the same manner as a credit allowed under subsection (a).

(e)

Special rules for certain solar and wind facilities placed in service in connection with low-income communities

(1)

In general

In the case of any qualified solar and wind facility with respect to which the Secretary makes an allocation of environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation under paragraph (4)—

(A)

the energy percentage otherwise determined under paragraph (2) or (5) of subsection (a) with respect to any eligible property which is part of such facility shall be increased by—

(i)

in the case of a facility described in subclause (I) of paragraph (2)(A)(iii) and not described in subclause (II) of such paragraph, 10 percentage points, and

(ii)

in the case of a facility described in subclause (II) of paragraph (2)(A)(iii), 20 percentage points, and

(B)

the increase in the credit determined under subsection (a) by reason of this subsection for any taxable year with respect to all property which is part of such facility shall not exceed the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of such increase (determined without regard to this subparagraph) as—

(i)

the environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation allocated to such facility, bears to

(ii)

the total megawatt nameplate capacity of such facility, as measured in direct current.

(2)

Qualified solar and wind facility

For purposes of this subsection—

(A)

In general

The term “qualified solar and wind facility” means any facility—

(i)

which generates electricity solely from property described in section 45(d)(1) or in clause (i) or (vi) of subsection (a)(3)(A),

(ii)

which has a maximum net output of less than 5 megawatts (as measured in alternating current), and

(iii)

which—

(I)

is located in a low-income community (as defined in section 45D(e)) or on Indian land (as defined in section 2601(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3501(2))), or

(II)

is part of a qualified low-income residential building project or a qualified low-income economic benefit project.

(B)

Qualified low-income residential building project

A facility shall be treated as part of a qualified low-income residential building project if—

(i)

such facility is installed on a residential rental building which participates in a covered housing program (as defined in section 41411(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12491(a)(3)), a housing assistance program administered by the Department of Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949, a housing program administered by a tribally designated housing entity (as defined in section 4(22) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(22))) or such other affordable housing programs as the Secretary may provide, and

(ii)

the financial benefits of the electricity produced by such facility are allocated equitably among the occupants of the dwelling units of such building.

(C)

Qualified low-income economic benefit project

A facility shall be treated as part of a qualified low-income economic benefit project if at least 50 percent of the financial benefits of the electricity produced by such facility are provided to households with income of—

(i)

less than 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 36B(d)(3)(A)) applicable to a family of the size involved, or

(ii)

less than 80 percent of area median gross income (as determined under section 142(d)(2)(B)).

(D)

Financial benefit

(3)

Eligible property

For purposes of this section, the term “eligible property” means energy property which—

(A)

is part of a facility described in section 45(d)(1) for which an election was made under subsection (a)(5), or

(B)

is described in clause (i) or (vi) of subsection (a)(3)(A),

including energy storage technology (as described in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ix)) installed in connection with such energy property.

(4)

Allocations

(A)

In general

(B)

Limitation

(C)

Annual capacity limitation

(D)

Carryover of unused limitation

(E)

Placed in service deadline

(i)

In general

(ii)

Application of carryover

(5)

Recapture

(Added Pub. L. 87–834, § 2(b), Oct. 16, 1962, 76 Stat. 967; amended Pub. L. 88–272, title II, § 203(a)(1), (3)(A), (b), (c), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 33, 34; Pub. L. 89–800, § 1 Nov. 8, 1966, 80 Stat. 1508; Pub. L. 89–809, title II, § 201(a), Nov. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 1575; Pub. L. 90–26, §§ 1, 2(a), 3, June 13, 1967, 81 Stat. 57, 58; Pub. L. 91–172, title I, § 121(d)(2)(A), title IV, § 401(e)(2)–(4), Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 547, 603; Pub. L. 92–178, title I, §§ 102(a)(2), 103, 104(a)(1), (b)–(f)(1), (g), 108(b), (c), Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 499–502, 507; Pub. L. 94–12, title III, §§ 301(c)(1), 302(c)(3), title VI, § 604(a), Mar. 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 38, 44, 65; Pub. L. 94–455, title VIII, §§ 802(b)(6), 804(a), title X, § 1051(h)(1), title XIX, §§ 1901(a)(5), (b)(11)(A), 1906(b)(13)(A), title XXI, § 2112(a)(1), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1583, 1591, 1647, 1764, 1795, 1834, 1905; Pub. L. 95–473, § 2(a)(2)(A), Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1464; Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 141(b), title III, §§ 312(c)(1)–(3), 314(a), (b), 315(a)–(c), title VII, § 703(a)(3), (4), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2791, 2826–2829, 2939; Pub. L. 95–618, title III, § 301(b), (d)(1), (2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3195, 3199, 3200; Pub. L. 96–222, title I, §§ 101(a)(7)(G), (H), (L)(i)(I)–(IV), (ii)(III)–(VI), (iii)(II), (III), (v)(II)–(V), (M)(ii), (iii), 103(a)(2)(A), (4)(B), 108(c)(6), Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 198–201, 208, 209, 228; Pub. L. 96–223, title II, §§ 221(b), 222(a)–(e)(1), (f)–(i), 223(a)(1), (c)(1), Apr. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 261–266; Pub. L. 96–451, title III, § 302(a), Oct. 14, 1980, 94 Stat. 1991; Pub. L. 96–605, title I, § 109(a), title II, § 223(a), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 3525, 3528; Pub. L. 97–34, title II, §§ 211(a)(2), (c), (e)(3), (4), (h), 212(a)(3), (b), (c), (d)(2)(A), 213(a), 214(a), (b), title III, § 332(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 227–229

cite as: 26 USC 48