A trio of Lenawee County residents today joined state Rep. Bronna Kahle in support of her plan to provide clarity, consistency and predictability for families and small businesses installing solar panels and other clean energy systems on their properties.

The plan also would prevent higher property taxes from being charged because of such installations, as has happened in some communities due to inconsistent rules from location to location.

“Families and small businesses must be provided with clear and consistent rules so they can make informed decisions about energy-efficient investments,” Kahle said after testifying before the House Tax Policy Committee. “The rules must be the same across the state. It’s not right that families and business owners are making changes to help the environment and lower utility bills only to be hit with higher taxes. These are common-sense bills in line with Michigan’s goals of increasing the use of renewable energy sources.”

The plan would treat solar panel installation the same as replacing a furnace, installing a generator or buying a more energy efficient hot water heater – none of which result in higher property taxes.

Kahle was joined by three area residents – Dr. Ed Tritt, Bill Sprow and Robert Loudermilk — who also testified in support of her legislation. All three installed solar systems on their properties only to be surprised with higher tax bills.

Sprow figured out how many years it would take to pay back and see a return on the solar panel investment made on his Madison Township home. But then he discovered his payoff period would be a few years longer because of an unexpected higher property tax assessment.

“It was a good arrangement – until tax season came,” Sprow said.

Tritt, of Raisin Township, installed a system on his clinic and home and ran into similar issues.

“It’s like four steps forward and two steps back,” Tritt said. “A person doesn’t get taxed for putting in an efficient furnace or water heater. They don’t get taxed for a natural gas-powered generator. I contend that these solar panels are nothing more than a big generator that is dependent on the amount of sunshine we see each day. We as a nation are trying to be ‘green’ and self-sustaining. But if we are taxed to this extent, where is the incentive to stop using fossil fuels?”

Loudermilk, of Adrian Township, said the higher property taxes undermine the goals of installing solar panels systems.

“I was looking forward to having an advantage – and now I have lost that advantage with a tax increase,” he said.

The bipartisan plan – which includes House Bills 4068-69 and 4465-66 – remains under consideration in the Tax Policy Committee.