Solar Energy Blowing Up, & in Surprising Places!
Global Solar Center just finished a comprehensive, 50-state survey of solar incentives and adoption. Who leads the nation? It is surprising. As they say, it is the states who were “solar laggards” that are now “solar leaders”. But incentives aren’t the only issue.
US A WORLD LEADER IN SOLAR ENERGY
The US solar market rose to 3rd in the world last year. At this same time, the global solar market increased 50%. Global Solar Center’s press release states that the demand for solar power in the US has been continuously increasing: “the market demand for solar power has grown an average of 30% per year for the last five years.”
US STATE LEADERS
California is still the leader in solar power installations, but other states are rising fast and offer better incentives. Hot leaders in solar power incentives are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Colorado, New York, Texas, and Florida. They offer more than traditional green powerhouse California.
The report says that New Jersey offers “the most generous incentives for solar power in the nation” and the newest “hot market for solar electricity” is also in the Northeast — Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, incentives can cover 60% of installation costs now.
In New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Colorado, homes and businesses can get all their money back from solar installations in 3 years (from city, state, and local incentives). Additionally, solar hot water can pay for itself within one year in Florida and southern Texas.
PROBLEMS FOR SOLAR POWER
With these great incentives and better incentives on the federal level, the number one issue blocking solar power installation is no longer cost for a lot of people. Now, the issue is just providing the normal person with the information needed to take advantage of these opportunities and choose the right solar energy team.
Michael T. Eckhart, President of American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) says that the outcomes of this survey now “underscore the importance of educating residential and commercial customers of the combined incentive packages which we at ACORE have fought hard for and which can dramatically reduce payback periods for clean energy.”
Global Solar Center Chairman and co-creator of the Cash for Clunkers program (whose work is featured in the new book by Thomas Friedman, Hot, Flat, and Crowded) Jack D. Hidary says: “The renewable energy industry in its present state is extremely fragmented and changing rapidly. Customers want to lower their bills but are confused as to where to go and who to trust. Global Solar Center solves this problem by offering unbiased, reliable information, free quotes and a network of qualified installers to get the job done.” People are confused of who to go for to get the best deal and most effective solar power technology. Organizations like Global Solar Center are providing the help to get through this last barrier. Solar power is now easily within grasp!
GO SOLAR, SAVE MONEY
Monique Hanis from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in Washington, D.C. says: “With incentives on the federal, state and local level along with the support and expertise offered by our members, like Global Solar Center, this is a great time to go solar.” Been waiting for the appropriate time to go solar? It seems that the time is now.
For more on solar energy news, read:
1) World’s Most Efficient Solar Technology Coming Early 2010
2) First Solar and China to Partner on Gigantic Solar Power Plant
3) $21 Billion Solar Power Station in Space — Planned by Japan
Image Credit 1: PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE via flickr under a Creative Commons license
Image Credit 2: Wayne National Forest via flickr under a Creative Commons license
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September 16th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Thanks for the info. Good post. Michigan is trying to bust into the Top 10.
Jeff.
http://www.mlive.com/mudpuppy/index.ssf/2009/09/michigan_still_trailing_in_sol.html
September 16th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Good work with the article. It is very important that people know how great of an investment solar power can be right now in their area!
September 16th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
“the issue blocking solar power installation is no longer cost.”
You are quite the comedian. Go price a solar installation. It will be $5000 to get near the minimum qualified system for rebates and incentives. $2000 left with the enormous 60% Pennsylvania incentives. Just write me a check for $2000 and I’ll tell you not everyone has 60% incentives and even if they did, they’ll still pay the FULL price up front and wait around for the refund checks. Not to mention that 1KW ($5000) is not much of a dent in most people’s electrical demand.
Solar dealers and installers are often backlogged and backordered and have no time for people on tiny budgets. Call them up and tell them you have $2000 to spend on your solar install and see how fast they can get rid of you. Cost is no longer a concern! To most people, paying ANYTHING is a concern.