Overview of Section 48 - Investment Tax Credit for Energy Property (pre-2025)

On November 22, the IRS and Treasury released proposed updates to Section 48 regulations, focusing on the tax credit for investment in energy property. These changes clarify the definition of energy property and set guidelines for compliance and eligibility.

Key Highlights of the Proposed Changes:

Definitions and Eligibility:

• Solar and Geothermal Property: Expanded to include all related components such as electric generation and distribution equipment.
• Qualified Energy Properties: This now includes fuel cells, microturbines, biogas systems, and more, with specifics on the required methane content for biogas.
• Integral Components: Defined as essential parts like power conditioning equipment necessary for the property's operation.

Exclusions and Limitations:

• Items like power purchase agreements and renewable energy certificates are excluded from qualifying as energy property.

Interconnection Property:

• Detailed criteria for property that connects energy systems to the grid, focusing on necessary modifications and upgrades.

Construction and Acquisition Criteria:

• Taxpayers must directly engage in or specify the construction or acquisition of energy property to qualify.

Compliance with Standards:

• Energy properties must meet existing performance and quality standards at the time of acquisition to be eligible for the credit.

Impact and Opportunities: These regulations aim to simplify compliance, broaden the scope of eligible technologies, and provide a clearer pathway for claiming the tax credit. By detailing compliance pathways for a range of technologies, they encourage investment in renewable and clean energy.