Oregon Tax News

Solar Power Leaks Tax Dollars
Bob Clark

August 15, 2008

Rooftop solar electric systems are prohibitively costly to manufacture and install with or without government subsidies.  As reported in the Oregonian, page E1, August 8, 2008, a 2000 watt solar system costs about $21,000 including installation.  Under existing tax credit financing structures, the buyer of these installations pay around $7,500 while taxpayers pay the remaining $13,500.  The owner of these installations, for instance homeowners, are said to save $176 per year as a return on their investment.  Translation:  even after 25 years, the buyer will have lost $3,100, even as taxpayers lose $13,500 per unit installed.  These losses do not include the opportunity cost of funds. Read more…

By Margaret Goodwin,

Some people invest their life savings in stocks and bonds, others sock it away in bank accounts to pay for their kids’ education and their retirement. Seventeen years ago, the Ockendens invested their savings in a 158 acre parcel of land in a rural residential area in Josephine County, where they live. No investment is risk-free but, after careful consideration, this seemed like a wise investment. After all, land has intrinsic value, enduring despite fluctuations of the market and the economy. Given the recent housing boom in this area, one might say the Ockendens had a lot of foresight. Unfortunately for the Ockendens, instead of reaping the rewards of a wise investment, they’ve spent 17 years battling bureaucracy and local land use activists to establish the right to use their property as it was originally zoned to be used. Read more…