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

25 Reasons for 25D Direct Pay: Why Solar Tax Incentives Should Benefit More Americans

Date: 15 Oct 2021 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The residential solar Investment Tax Credit is the main federal incentive for rooftop solar, but many Americans — especially low-income households — aren’t able to benefit from it. Here are 25 reasons why Congress should make this tax credit more equitable.… 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

ILSR Joins Independent Business Groups in Pushing for Disclosure of Corporate Subsidies

Date: 4 Feb 2015 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR joined other members of the Advocates for Independent Business coalition in submitting a joint public comment letter in support of a landmark proposal to require local and state governments, as part of their financial reporting, to annually disclose the tax breaks and incentives they have provided to corporations in the name of economic development. … Read More

Ejecting the Power Line Foxes from the Electric Customer Henhouse

Date: 24 Jun 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 2 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The neighbors of the proposed Badger-Coulee high-voltage line in Wisconsin are like those in many other parts of the country, upset that their utility will construct 200-foot steel towers across their region and through their property (they have some other cogent arguments, too). Update January 12, 2015: removed inaccurate reference to transmission company control over regional … Read More

Is Solar Cheaper Than Grid Electricity? Yes. And No.

Date: 15 Jul 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 6 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The word “parity” is to the solar advocate as the word “abracadabra” is to the magician.  Through it, all things are possible.  But there’s really two kinds of solar parity with electricity prices, and the difference is significant. Take this article from Renewable Energy World last month.  It claims that solar installations in New Mexico are … Read More

Reactions to My Take on Master Limited Partnerships for Renewable Energy

Date: 14 Jun 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 3 Facebooktwitterredditmail

When I wrote two weeks ago that Master Limited Partnerships are a Lousy Policy for Solar, Wind, and Taxpayers, I was aware that it wasn’t a widely held view.  The piece has done more than provide another viewpoint on the complicated corporate structure, it has ignited a significant debate across the renewable energy community about the … Read More

A Community Solar Gold Standard – Episode 9 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Date: 17 May 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Joy Hughes was living in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, a place with a “tremendous amount of solar potential,” so good that the valley’s residents were being overwhelmed by proposals for large scale solar power plants. One had a “field of things like radar dishes” and another included a “600 foot tower.” The influx of outside companies seeking solar profit led Joy to ask, “Why not just set up solar arrays that can provide power for people in the local community and offset their electric bills?”… Read More