Looking ahead to 2010, this is a great time to be optimistic about the continued rapid expansion of solar energy installations. Recent legislative actions and continued tax credits, along with upcoming innovative financing options and new rebates, will give a big push to the marketplace.
Just consider the potential positive outcomes from the following:
- The 30 percent federal tax credit is extended to 2016
- A presidential administration with an agenda of clean energy and green jobs
- A growing number of financing options for solar, including municipal loan programs, self-generation leases and power purchase agreements
- A new statewide solar water heating incentive program gearing up for January 2010
- Up-front commercial solar costs nearly covered by incentives and depreciation deductions
- Increased industry advertising and media exposure
There are also vigorous efforts now to make energy-efficiency improvements prior to installing solar photovoltaic systems, which will bring down overall energy use, and help reduce the size of systems needed and their cost. All of these things combined give me hope that we’re reaching a tipping point where growing public interest, industry capabilities, government encouragement and commercial marketing efforts will propel solar and other clean energy technologies further into the mainstream.
Right now is a good time for you to figure out how solar can fit into your future. You may know just a little or quite a lot about solar already, but if you don’t have solar now or a plan for getting it, you should take the time to learn more about new developments and opportunities.
Making the decision to install solar water heating, as part of new construction or as a retrofit, should become easier in 2010 as California implements the Solar Water Heating Efficiency Act, which would establish an estimated $368 million incentive program with the goal of installing 200,000 systems by 2017.
California Center for Sustainable Energy
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