Blair, Benjamin A. (2020). Cases in brief: Solar farm built on university land is taxable. Appraisal Journal, 88 (4), 233-234.
This Appraisal Journal article summarizes Cornell University v. Seneca Board of Assessment Review; New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division; August 20, 2020, 130 N.Y.S.3d 142.
Case brief introduction:
"Cornell University entered into an agreement with Argos Solar LLC to construct a solar photovoltaic electrical system on certain agricultural research land owned by the university in Seneca, New York. The agreement provided Argos would have an exclusive license to use the land for the sole purpose of constructing, installing, owning, operating, and maintaining the system, while obligating the university to purchase the energy output generated by the system. Based on this ownership arrangement, the court determined that the system is real property that is not tax exempt."