Get the Best Local News on Solar

Whether you are a solar company or are simply a homeowner, you can benefit from reading the latest solar news. Luckily, there is a lot of great information available that is not only interesting, but also can help you decide how to move forward with your own solar installation.

Tax credit going away soon

Getting a tax credit for solar panels is a great way to save money on your energy bills. The best part is that you don’t have to go through the trouble of filing a tax return in order to claim it.

There are three different types of tax credits available for homeowners. One is the federal solar tax credit, which covers the cost of a solar power system. Another type is the investment tax credit, which is not as generous, but still gives you a deduction for up to 30 percent of the price of your solar system.

There are other less formal tax credits, which vary from state to state. These include the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, which is worth 10% of energy saving improvements.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expanded the definitions of qualified expenditures and introduced the Solar 1603 Grant program, which provided payments in lieu of tax credits. It is also credited with the impressive growth of the solar industry.

The most important thing to remember is that these tax credits are not available forever. They are scheduled to be phased out in 2023. It is a good idea to act before it is too late.

There are many other smaller programs that are designed to benefit consumers. These can include rebates, which are usually based on system size and other factors.

Resistance to solar moratoriums

Across the country, communities are taking action against large-scale solar and wind projects. According to the Renewable Rejection Database, there are 103 localities nationwide with policies to restrict renewable energy development.

Oftentimes, community resistance to renewable energy projects has lasting impacts. Especially during the planning stage, opposition to these projects is often strongest. During these early stages, many anti-solar activists focus on aesthetics, health concerns, and environmental issues. But once a project is built, the level of opposition usually fades.

The debate over solar siting has erupted in states from Virginia to Indiana to California. Almost two dozen solar farms have become targets of public opposition in the past few years.

In Klickitat County, Washington, for example, a moratorium on solar projects is being considered. The proposed moratorium would last at least six months and include a public hearing. The county board of commissioners is considering the moratorium as part of a broader backlash against large solar projects.

Those opposing large solar projects worry about the health risks from electromagnetic fields and the potential for fires from solar panels. They also worry about the disruption of wildlife habitats. In addition, they claim the projects will degrade the scenic vistas of the area.

These arguments are backed by groups like the Land & Liberty Coalition. They argue that private landowners should be allowed to negotiate deals with developers.

Sitting restrictions as a constraint on growth

Unlike the solar panel worthy of praise, sitting restrictions are not something you want to mess with. The best way to address them is to engage the public in the debate. Fortunately, there are several non-political alternatives to the dark arts. One is the lightening-free world of solar. The other is the open-source, non-partisan OpenSolar initiative. With the OpenSolar, solar panels will be rolled out at no cost to participating utilities. Having more renewable energy means lower power prices for consumers. The best part is that the open-source is open to a wide range of competing developers. This paves the way for open-source innovators to sway the industry with their innovative, low-cost solutions. This isn’t all – the OpenSolar is also the only open-source project to have a complete end-to-end supply chain. The only downside is that many potential suppliers are not yet signed up. For this reason, the OpenSolar is likely to become the largest supplier in the coming years.