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Solar Bonus Depreciation Ending – What That Means For Business Going Solar

Many businesses use MARCS depreciation, or the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, to model how an asset will depreciate. Solar has a 5-year cost recovery period. Bonus depreciation allows an investor to recognize 100% of the depreciation in the same tax year the system is placed in service. Currently, in 2022, the basis of depreciation of qualifying solar equipment is 87% – there is 13% deducted from the overall project costs to account for half of the ITC.

As of January 1, 2023 the bonus depreciation will again drop – this time to 80% to be depreciated in year 1.

Bonus Depreciation
Year Amount in Year 1
2022 100%
2023 80%
2024 60%
2026 40%
2027 20%

History

Bonus depreciation was a response to the economic downturn of 2008, when Congress wanted to incentivize capital investment by accelerating the depreciation schedule economywide. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 allowed companies to claim 100% bonus depreciation on qualifying capital equipment – if placed in service by December 21, 2011. It then dropped to 50%. In 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased the bonus deprecation percentage to 100% for qualified property that is placed in service before Jan 1, 2023.

MARCS Depreciation Schedule
Year After Competition % Depreciated
Year 1 20%
Year 2 32%
Year 3 19.2%
Year 4 11.50%
Year 5 11.50%
Year 6 5.80%

For businesses considering going solar, they must act quickly to capture 100% bonus depreciation. Projects must be 100% complete and placed in service to capture the 100% bonus depreciation. With longer than normal interconnection timelines and supply chain disruptions, projects should start in April to ensure they are completed in time.

What Makes Land a Good Fit for a Solar Farm?

Interested what qualifies land for a solar farm project? Check out our blog with to learn the top 4 things our team looks for when qualifying land.

Is your land a good fit for a solar land lease?

Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA) is a global energy solutions company. We supply customers in the US and Europe with electricity, including electricity generated from renewable resources and with natural gas. Through Genie Solar Energy and Prism Solar, we design, construct and install commercial solar energy solutions. We provide commercial and industrial clients with energy brokerage and consultative services through our Diversegy brand.