by Geoffrey D. Smith | September 30, 2015
The time is NOW to install solar on your rooftop. An unprecedented set of challenges to the
residential solar industry is threatening our ability to generate energy from
the sun in the future:
1) The Federal
Investment Tax Credit (ITC) expiration – The ITC is scheduled to expire at
the end of 2016 – The ITC offers a full 30% credit on your federal income tax
for costs associated with installing solar on your roof. Advocates are working
actively to extend the program.
2) Net Energy
Metering (NEM 2.0) proposed changes – A series of changes to this important
program, which have been proposed by the Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU), would
significantly lower incentives for homeowners to produce solar energy by:
a. Lowering the cost paid to the homeowner by the utility
for energy producedb. Shifting the Time of Use ‘peak period’ to later in the
day, thereby lowering the value of solar energy produced when the sun is
shining most brightlyc. Charging for transmission & distribution of the
solar energy that is generated (currently no charge)
What you can do:
1) You can raise your voice to Governor Brown and the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) now by signing this petition, provided by CREDO
Action, one of the many organizations that The Climate Center is
collaborating with to represent the interests of solar owners. It only takes a
minute. Our goal is 25,000 signatures.
2) Contact us at the Clean Energy Advocate (CEA) program today
to find out how you can easily and affordably install solar on your rooftop. Call
707.654.4350, or write geoffrey@theclimatecenter.org.
–
Geoffrey Smith is the
Solar Energy Program Coordinator for The Climate Center. You can reach him at geoffrey@theclimatecenter.org or 707.654.4350.