The Sao Paulo state government in Brazil published last week two decrees giving tax exemption for wind and solar equipment, as well as for electricity production by micro and mini-generators.

Focused on the equipment, the decree 61.440/2015 grants exemption from the ICMS goods and services tax for components for wind turbines and towers, and photovoltaic generators.

The decree 61.439/2015 also exempts from the ICMS tax the electric power supplied by micro and mini-generators to the state grid.

The break under decree 61.439/2015 takes effect from September 1, and will be valid for the duration of the ICMS 16/15 Convention, provided by the National Council for Financial Policy (Confaz).

Sao Paulo's State Secretary of Energy, Joao Carlos Meirelles, said in a press release this new policies for alternative energy are important in this time of economic crisis in Brazil, especially since these stimulate the creation of new jobs.

Currently, the state has 32 micro and mini distributed generation (DG) projects that will benefit from this measure.