SOLAR: Akeena works to secure residential solar rebates. You can help!

ARTICLE UPDATE: 12/13/07 (11:10 PST)
Akeena has told GetWithGreen.com that the bill did not pass the Senate this morning, and that it is being re-written so as to avoid a Presidential veto.  There is a strong likelihood that tax credits will be stripped for homeowners.   Check back later today as we provide more information.

TODAY’S ARTICLE: 

Did you know that this week Congress is debating the amount of tax credit that we should receive for installing solar in our homes?

Now is the time that we all need to pressure our Senator’s to ensure inclusion of solar tax credits in the upcoming legislation. By doing so, the financial incentives will remain intact for us to purchase solar, and decrease the payback period for our future residential solar investments. Ultimately this will drive the further adoption of solar as an alternative clean energy source for homeowners.

Today at the Solar Energy Industry Association’s website (www.seia.org), you can locate your Senator’s phone number and place a call to help secure the approval the legislation. SEIA provides quick talking points so that you can apply the appropriate pressure. If you are considering solar in your home remodel or makeover in the coming years, now is the time to help secure your incentives!

Barry Cinnamon, CEO of residential solar design and installation company Akeena Solar, wrote the letter below to help raise awareness for what is now happening.  Included in Barry’s letter are links to a two articles offering further insight.  Here is what Barry wrote last week…

What a difference 24 hours make!

The strongest solar bill ever introduced in Congress is hanging in the balance. This week the House passed an energy bill that included the extension of two necessary solar tax credits and increased the annual credit cap from $2,000 to $4,000. 24 hours later, the Senate concluded an administrative cloture vote and the bill failed to move forward 53 to 42. The Senate now will review, rewrite and present their version of the energy bill back to the House in hopes of moving it into law. This is Congress’ chance to get the energy bill right and finally move forward with strong support of clean renewable energy sources.

It’s astonishing that solar energy?America’s most abundant renewable resource?has to compete with oil for government support. It’s also clear that with oil hovering around $90, and recently breaking $100 a barrel, oil companies are not having a problem competing (especially with the big three oil companies reported profits of $72 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006 alone).

With about two-thirds of $21 billion tax package in the bill on the major oil companies, the Energy Bill provides the opportunity for Congress to put its money where its mouth is and turn towards renewable energy sources such as solar power. Keeping the solar investment tax credits in the bill allows the outdated oil and gas subsidies to now be invested in what is right and necessary –supporting clean renewable energy and advancement in technology and initiatives.

The extension of solar tax credits — eight-year extension of the 30 percent investment tax credit for businesses and six-year extension of the 30 percent investment tax credit for residential solar systems — are essential in the development and progress of both business and residential solar investments.

Additionally, with the proposed increase in the residential cap from $2,000 to $4,000, the payback for a typical California home will be reduced by two years. And if the residential cap were fully removed, paybacks for solar customers could be reduced to as low as five years.

With the right kinds of programs in place, an estimated 50 percent of all new electricity in the U.S. could be generated by solar power within eight years. The Senate has the opportunity — and quite frankly, an obligation to their constituents throughout the country — to bring solar to its rightful place as a viable alternative energy source for every American.

Best Regards,
Barry Cinnamon
CEO, Akeena Solar

GetWithGreen.com asks you to please contact your Senator today.  Other useful links include: Sourcewatch.org and The Library of Congress (Search Energy Act 2007)

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