In the commercial market, federal government incentives
are offered to owners or leaseholders who develop
energy-efficient commercial buildings.
A broad incentive is the enhanced depreciation rates for
properties that utilize solar, wind and geothermal
technologies. These may be depreciated over an accelerated 5
year period, versus 7 to 39 years, allowing rapid recovery of
energy investments. This incentive is aimed to encourage
developers to enhance buildings with private green energy
sources.
Another federal program offers building owners and lessees
eligibility for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot
($19.35 per m3) of their commercial property for
energy-efficient property improvements. These rules apply to
depreciable US real estate that is constructed in an energy
efficient manner so that once installed as part of the interior
lighting systems, heating, cooling, ventilation, hot
