Sharp Solar's Letter of Support for HB 2405

Dear Representative,


Sharp Solar is one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world, with U.S. offices in New Jersey, California, and Tennessee. The solar factory in Memphis, Tennessee employs a diverse workforce of 500 people and has experienced significant growth over the last year, increasing employment by 50%. Our business was growing in the middle of a recession due to high demand created by incentives provided by state and federal governments. The solar incentives provided by Pennsylvania contributed to this demand, creating hundreds of jobs at our factory and other offices, and also within the dozens of Sharp dealers and contractors in the state.

We are writing to encourage your support for House Bill 2405 and the solar provisions in the bill that encourage long term contracts, increase the solar requirement, and set a firm alternative energy compliance payment at this time when rebates and other incentives are mostly fully subscribed.
Unemployment remains high, and Sharp is committed to increasing jobs both at our plant but also by using local, Pennsylvania based solar installers. Accelerating the solar requirement from 0.5% to 3.0% of total electricity sales by 2025 and other provisions help move the solar industry to a market based, competitive clean energy source with well paid local jobs, enhanced economic development benefits, increased tax revenues, and timely development of locally sourced low-carbon energy.

We hope that you will help us continue this impressive growth and vote in favor of House Bill 2405 now while we are making decisions where Sharp will be focusing our efforts.


Sincerely,



Andrew J. Johnson
Senior Manager, Policy and Government Relations