SUN NOW

Everday Solar
Rhone Resch, August 24, 2009 (SF Examiner)

"Everyday, I like to check to see…if my electric meter is running backwards…[because] I have a solar energy system on my roof...[T]housands of Americans across the country that are doing the same…Incentives and grants from federal, state, and local governments mean there has never been a better time to go solar. The most effective incentive yet, the federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) creates a 30 percent credit for families and businesses buying solar energy systems, eliminates outdated prohibitions on utilities using the credit and authorizes millions in clean energy bonds to drive down costs and spur greater use of solar.

"The ITC puts a 'sale' sign on solar energy systems of up to 30 percent off…[It] directly pours millions of investment dollars into the industry, driving down material costs and making solar products more affordable. This growth in solar installations is also creating jobs and spurring economic growth in all 50 states…In July, the Treasury Department announced $3 billion to be invested in renewable energy projects outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This will lead to [more growth]…"

This was before the new ITC put the "sale" sign up on solar. (click to enlarge)

"The climate change bill making its way through Congress would establish for the first time a national renewable portfolio standard, create new opportunities to get solar energy to markets, protect the air we breathe, and finally allow the federal government to enter into 20-year contracts for clean, reliable solar energy. These are the right policies to create a stable investment climate for the solar industry, just as the government has done for every other energy source, including coal, oil, and nuclear. The House has passed its bill and we are currently working with the U.S. Senate…

"Solar is ready now to meet America’s growing energy needs…[Besides] rooftop [photovoltaic solar (PV)] panels like the ones on my house…there are numerous other types of solar…Concentrated solar power, for example, uses huge fields of mirrors that "concentrate" the sun’s heat to warm a liquid that generates steam to drive a turbine to produce electricity. The intensity of the sun in places like the American Southwest is so strong that these states can start exporting power instead of jobs…Plants like these are in the construction pipeline…Solar water heating…on top of your roof can heat water for a whole day’s needs, saving thousands on your energy bills…94 percent of Americans support the use and development of solar technology…"

Number 3 with a bullet. (click to enlarge)

"…[S]olar is one of America’s few industry bright spots…[In 2008, installed solar] grew by 16 percent…[and] there are 6,000 megawatts of concentrated solar power plants in the development pipeline…U.S. solar manufacturing capacity increased by 65 percent in 2008, reporting an industry total job increase of 71 percent…[P]hotovoltaic solar clocked a growth rate of 81 percent…Solar water heating installations grew by 50 percent…[T]he United States…[moved] to third in the world after Spain and Germany for the total amount of new solar capacity. With the right policies out of Washington, it won’t be long before we surpass Spain and Germany as well.

"…[I]n 2016, the solar industry expects to support 440,000 American jobs. The 2009 stimulus bill alone will create 60,000 additional jobs in the solar industry this year and a total of 110,000 jobs by the end of 2010. As the solar industry continues to grow, so will American prosperity and sustainability…You can do your part too. Contact your local solar installer…Contact your legislators…[Y]ou can use solar everyday to make a difference."