Global Solar Center just finished a comprehensive, 50-state survey of solar incentives and adoption. Who leads the nation? It’s surprising. As Global Solar Center says, 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 it says 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.
Related Stories:
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
Images via PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE and Wayne National Forest
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