How the Inflation Reduction Act Makes it Easier to Go Solar — and Where it Falls Short

Date: 5 Sep 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As the government implements the Inflation Reduction Act, funding equitable local solar projects will help maximize the law’s benefits for households and put power back in the hands of people, instead of monopoly energy utilities.… Read More

Inflation Reduction Act Boosts Local Solar — Episode 164 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 19 Aug 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guest Katie Kienbaum discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will support distributed solar through extended tax credits, a greenhouse gas reduction fund, and other incentives.… Read More

Tweaking a Tax Credit Would Help More Americans Go Solar [Infographic]

Date: 14 Mar 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Current solar tax incentives have disproportionately benefited wealthier Americans and big businesses and banks. Changes to these tax credits could help millions of families, schools, and community organizations go solar.… Read More

Dear Santa…ILSR’s Federal Energy Policy Wish List

Date: 20 Dec 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A new administration critical of clean energy imposes vast uncertainty on a U.S. energy sector that in recent years has tiptoed toward greater local control and increased renewable energy generation. This year, our federal policy wish list includes a series of items that would keep up the trend and deliver economic benefits to communities nationwide. This … Read More

Further Thoughts on the Economics of Losing the Federal Solar Tax Credit

Date: 12 Oct 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Amid the discussion over ending the federal solar tax credit in 2015, I published an analysis of the less-than-expected hit to residential solar costs. I made a big mistake. Instead of a 2.5% cost increase, the impact of the expired tax credit would be closer to 13.3%. But a revised and deeper investigation also shows our … Read More

Congress Gets Renewable Tax Credit Extension Right

Date: 5 Jan 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In case you missed it over the holiday, Congress passed a new federal budget, notably extending tax credits for solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies. The extension differs from previous ones in two ways: it extends the credits for multiple years but also (as ILSR has been discussing since 2012) phases them out over time. … Read More

It’s not Doomsday, but Neither is Ending the Solar Tax Credit Good Policy

Date: 19 Nov 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

I took the “no” side in a point/counterpoint in the Wall Street Journal this week on the topic: Will Solar Energy Plummet if the Investment Tax Credit Fades Away? It’s been a great conversation-starter, but also an opportunity to clarify ILSR’s position on the tax credit extension. In short, while allowing the 30% tax credit to … Read More

Will Solar Energy Plummet if the Investment Tax Credit Fades Away?

Date: 17 Nov 2015 | posted in: Energy, Media Coverage | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Wall Street Journal, November 15, 2015 What’s going to happen when a huge incentive to invest in solar power shrinks or vanishes? At the end of next year, the 30% investment tax credit for solar and other renewable power is set to expire for residential systems and plunge to 10% for commercial installations. Boosters are calling for … Read More

Democratic Energy Media Roundup – week of September 14, 2015

Date: 15 Sep 2015 | posted in: Energy | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This week in Democratic Energy: Ohio groundswell gathers around reinstatement of renewable energy mandates. Utah group condemns utility’s false claims to promoting renewable energy Vox’s David Roberts, in a 2-part series, seeks to break down the dominance of 20th century style electric utilities. Featured Stories: The Federal Solar Tax Credit extension: can we win if we … Read More