Help Save Solar Energy Jobs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Solar Energy Industries Association has invited Representative Chris Ross, chief House sponsor of new legislation to fix the solar renewable energy credits market in Pennsylvania,

to speak at a press conference launching his bill.

JOIN US ON TUESDAY, MAY 24TH AT 10:00 AM

at the State Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg for our

campaign launch, press conference and lobby day.

Legislative action is critical to sustain and help grow the solar industry in Pennsylvania. Without it, solar businesses may be forced to close, many planned solar projects will never get off the ground, and solar system owners will not see the full value of their investment. Your presence is crucial to help convey the necessity of this bill and ensure the survival of solar energy in Pennsylvania over the next few years.


Please RSVP to Linda Johansson via email at
ljohansson04@yahoo.com or by phone at 215-514-9823

We need to know if we can count on you
May 24, 2011.

Brian Communications (Brian Tierney) is assisting

PASEIA organize this key event

A 12 step program for solar industry recovery from incentives

PASEIA would like to share this great article with a great message for and about the solar industry. See the full article here.

The 12-step solar program: Toward an incentive-less future

by Paula Mints, Navigant Consulting

January 19, 2011 - The un-incentivized future approaches, and it is time to call off the hunt for the next big incentive -- because if the solar industry (all technologies) does not, it is surely doomed. Well, maybe doomed is too harsh, disappointed is better. Along with disappointed add chronically over capacity and consistently margin constrained.

Extremely low prices for crystalline technology set expectations for even lower prices. Low prices in combination with generous FiTs stimulated demand at extraordinarily high levels. Demand boomed, and most FiT markets crashed. Here's the golden rule of incentives: they are expensive, and someone has to pay the bill.

Assuming a constant upward trend in solar demand is dangerous, even though historically the trend has always been up. As incentive rates decrease, eventually disappearing or transforming (yet again) altogether, demand will hinge on the industry's ability to lower installation costs (the module is a component of a system) while increasing technology efficiency and lowering manufacturing costs. System performance will become even more crucial, and investors will need to believe that the industry can thrive without incentives. Grid parity is a phrase tossed conveniently around at conferences when companies are seeking investment, and in marketing materials -- and considering the subsidies that conventional energy enjoys, it's unfair. But fairness does not matter. Solar is big business now: gigawatt-level, risky big business.

===============


What the solar industry really needs is a recovery program, so that it can wholeheartedly approach a future in which incentives will likely not be generous -- if they exist at all -- and programs will be capped. After all, incentives were not meant to last forever (though those for conventional energy well may). The following twelve steps are meant to provoke thought and help an industry that has become addicted to incentives -- though realistically, these market stimulation tools are still necessary.

Admit it -- the industry has become powerless over demand, and most markets have become unmanageable.

Focus on lower technology and system costs. Develop innovative and standardized installation techniques. These may well wean the industry from a reliance on incentives.

Focus on the system. Fit the technology to the region, the customer, and the application.

Develop products -- not just technologies -- tailored to the application and the customer. BIPV is not just shingles or roof tiles.

Look for three characteristics in markets and customers: a need for a reliable electricity source, price elasticity, and undaunted by the high upfront cost.

Stop banging the grid parity gong. Talk about competitive electricity pricing market by market based on solar attributes.

Delight the customer. That's just Marketing 101.

Form a consortium among manufacturers to discuss how most FiT markets were destroyed, and how to avoid this in emerging markets such as the US, China and India. This is not collusion, it is common sense.

Invest in system design and balance of systems. This is worth repeating -- it's not boring, and it is crucial to industry survival.

Hey, governments: All solar is amazing. Stop looking for a magical, heretofore undiscovered technology or material that will change industry dynamics forever. All of this stuff sits in the sun for >25 years and reliably delivers electricity. What more do you want?

Hey, governments and politicians: Progress isn't cheap. Renewable energy and solar is the future, and getting to it will be expensive. So was the Industrial Revolution, and going from wagon trains to railroads, and the Pony Express to the telegraph. Toilets were once options in houses, not mainstays. Stay committed. Develop controlled incentives -- the industry still needs them, and will have a difficult time without them.

Hey, industry: FiTs are a-changin'. The trend is clear: FiTs as the industry has known them recently (and seriously, FiTs are a recent industry phenomenon) are changing. Adapting to this change is crucial. So, you'd better adapt.

Paula Mints is principal analyst, PV Services Program, and associate director in the energy practice at Navigant Consulting. E-mail: pmints@navigantconsulting.com.

Section 1603 Extension Included in Senate Tax Compromise!

Solar Energy Industries Association Applauds Inclusion of Treasury Section 1603 Program Extension in Senate Tax Compromise

Extending program will drive U.S. solar industry growth and job creation in 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) and the rest of the solar industry int he US are applauding the Senate's inclusion of a one-year extension of the Department of Treasury Section 1603 program in their tax bill compromise.

To date, the program has facilitated the construction of more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states. At a minimal cost to the tax payer, the 1603 program has supported $18 billion in investment in new renewable energy projects throughout the country and has created tens of thousands of jobs. Plain and simple, this program provides the greatest return on taxpayer dollars. The program has allowed the solar industry to grow by over 100 percent in 2010, create enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes and double domestic solar employment to more than 93,000 Americans. This program has created new opportunity for electricians, plumbers, and construction workers during the worst economic climate since the great depression.

Rhone Resch of SEIA: "An extension of the program will keep our U.S. industry growing and help achieve the industry's goal of installing enough new solar energy to power 2 million new homes each year by 2015. None of this would be possible without the tireless leadership of solar's champions on Capitol Hill on both sides of the aisle. In particular, Senators Cantwell, Feinstein, Ensign and LeMieux stepped up to support American jobs in the renewable energy industry and helped convince the Senate to include this provision in the final bill.
"But this is not over yet. Congress must now move swiftly to pass this compromise bill and keep solar working for America."

The TGP was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Section 1603) to provide commercial solar installations with a cash grant in lieu of the 30 percent solar investment tax credit (ITC). President George W. Bush signed the 8-year ITC into law in 2008, but the economic conditions created by the global recession made it clear that few would be able to utilize the tax credit.

So far, the TGP has helped move forward more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states. A report on the impact of the extension of the TGP by EuPD Research projected it would create 65,000 new U.S. jobs and 5,100 megawatts of solar capacity – enough to power more than 1 million households.

Background Materials & RESOURCES

SEIA policy overview of Treasury Grant Program: http://seia.org/cs/federal_issues/treasury_grant_program

Fact sheet on TGP and job creation: http://www.seia.org/galleries/FactSheets/Factsheet_TGP.pdf

Summary of solar projects awarded a Treasury Grant: http://www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/TGP_Awards.pdf

EuPD Research "Economic Impact of the Extension of the TGP": http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/EuPD_Research_Solar_Report.pdf

The Solar Foundation National Solar Jobs Census 2010: http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/sites/thesolarfoundation.org/files/Final%20TSF%20National%20Solar%20Jobs%20Census%202010%20Web%20Version.pdf

SEIA and GTM Research US Solar Market InsightTM Executive Summary: http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/SEIA_Q2_2010_EXEC_SUMMARY.pdf

New Report from The Solar Foundation Shows Pennsylvania Earned Second Place in the Country by Creating 6,700 Solar Jobs

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2010
Contact: Maureen Mulligan, Sustainable Futures Communications

On behalf of Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association and Pennsylvania Solar Energy Industries Association (MSEIA/PASEIA), the largest solar trade association in the mid-Atlantic region, I want to thank Penn Environment and its research partners for focusing on documenting solar jobs in the nation and in Pennsylvania in particular. Pennsylvania has seen substantial solar growth since the passage of the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard of 2004. At that time, there were about a dozen solar installers in Pennsylvania, many of whom were working with the Sustainable Development Fund’s PV Grant Program, a small program that incentivized residential solar projects in the Philadelphia area. Now, there are over 700 solar installers approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and many more people working as solar laborers, bookkeepers, cashiers, manufacturing, distributors, researchers, engineers, consultants; and in sales, finance, government relations to name a few.

Solar development in our state is truly a success story. This new report shows Pennsylvania earned second place in the country by creating an estimated 6,700 solar jobs based on their survey results, only behind California. One of the true values of the Solar Foundation and their partners report is that it relied exclusively on actual survey responses by solar employers and was not based on economic and job model projections. Several other studies have been conducted, such as the one done for Pennsylvania by Black & Veatch which showed impressive job growth in our state if our legislature had increased the solar share from 0.5% to 3%; but these jobs are not expected to materialize because the solar legislation did not pass before the session ended.

The Solar Foundation Report demonstrates that the solar industry is growing at a much faster rate than the economy overall. The Report also sought to find out if solar companies expected to add or cut jobs over the next twelve months. Fifty-five percent of surveyed firms expect to add employees while only two percent expect to cut workers over this period. Yet, I’m not at all convinced right now that Pennsylvania will see any solar growth in the next few years without a change in state policy. In fact, I would predict that Pennsylvania could easily be part of the 2% statistic “cutting jobs”. Why? Without a legislative change to the solar share, solar businesses are likely to go to where there are solar friendly policies.

Most of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states, (New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware), now have more aggressive solar requirements than Pennsylvania. We were a leader in the country but we haven’t kept pace and are rapidly falling behind. These neighboring states require an average of 2% of their electricity to come from solar while Pennsylvania is stuck at 0.5%. Without a higher requirement for this coming year and next, there will be virtually no market in Pennsylvania for solar renewable energy credits. The ability to sell these credits drives solar development.

The attached graph illustrates how the solar industry could become a victim of its own success. We have more projects installed and under development than we have buyers for the credits. This graph represents the solar credits - converted to solar PV capacity (MW) - the utilities and electric generation suppliers need to purchase each year compared to the number of projects already installed. Each installed project creates solar credits. Credits represent about one-half of the revenue stream to make solar projects financially viable. Without a market for the credits, projects can’t be developed. In addition, the state solar rebate program, the PA. Sunshine Program is almost fully subscribed and Commonwealth Financing Authority’s solar grant and loan program is fully subscribed.

















With the rebate money almost exhausted, that leaves the solar industry even more reliant on the revenue from the solar renewable energy credits to stay in business. The solar industry in PA. is likely to come to a grinding halt if the legislature doesn’t act to increase the solar requirement very soon.

The state of solar development in Pennsylvania is in serious jeopardy unless action is taken when the legislature returns. It will be up to Governor Corbett and the new legislature to answer the question as to whether Pennsylvania will be part of the continued growth of the solar industry or will fall victim to failed policy.

Maureen Mulligan
Sustainable Futures Communications on behalf of MSEIA/PASEIA

Calls Needed - Support HB1128 Solar Ammendment with 1% Freeze Language

PASEIA Members and Solar Enthusiasts!

We need calls TODAY!

To increase PA's solar share to 1.5% (from .5%) with an ammendment to HB1128, please call your Senators TODAY and ask them to SUPPORT THE HB1128 SOLAR AMMENDMENT WITH THE 1% FREEZE LANGUAGE.

Members please visit www.mseia.net for targeted calls.

As Solar Installations Increase, Generation Costs Continue to Decrease!

Solar Projects Drive $1.4 Billion into PA’s Economy in 2009

Solar Share of Generation Market Increases 350 Percent -
As Installations Increase, Generation Costs Continue to Decrease

HARRISBURG -- Sustained growth and declining costs are driving Pennsylvania's solar market to generate an ever-increasing amount of clean, renewable energy, which is saving consumers money, according to Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger.

The secretary said that in 2009, the share of solar energy generation among Pennsylvania's power pool increased by 350 percent, attracting $1.4 billion into state’s economy last year alone. “The cost of solar power is plummeting, making solar power increasingly a sound alternative for businesses and families that seek to stabilize and control their electricity costs,” said Hanger. “Right now, thanks to sharply lower solar power prices, it is a great time to consider solar power for a home or business.”

The median installed costs for small business and residential photovoltaic (PV) projects in the state dropped from about $9 per watt in 2008 to as low as $6 per watt in August; the lowest-cost projects are as much as $1 per watt less than this most recent figure. Large solar projects of one megawatt or more now cost about $4.50 per watt. The lower costs can be attributed in part to the PA Sunshine Solar Rebate Program, which reimburses up to 35 percent of the purchase and installation costs for residential and small business PV and solar hot water systems.

Since the program’s opening in May 2009, more than 2,000 projects have been installed, representing nearly 20 megawatts of new capacity. An additional 2,300 projects, representing 53 megawatts of capacity, have been applied for or are under construction.“Since energy from the sun is free, lower equipment costs lead to lower electricity costs,” said Hanger. “The cost of electricity from the latest generation of projects in Pennsylvania is between 12 to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour, and that price is locked in for the 25-year life of the panels.

“Today the cost of electricity from a utility company to a small business or home ranges between 10 and 14 cents per kilowatt-hour. But how much will electricity cost two years from now? How about five, 10 or 25 years from now? For families and businesses using solar power, they know their electricity will not be more than what they are paying for solar today. For those businesses and families not using solar, most likely prices for electricity will go up and possibly by a substantial amount.”

Hanger also noted that solar power emits zero air pollution, which cuts soot, smog, mercury and heat-trapping pollution that can sicken and kill Pennsylvanians. In addition, solar power helps to keep the power grid reliable by providing more power on the hottest days of the year when very high demand can cause brownouts and blackouts.

For more information, visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/ <http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/> , or call DEP’s Office of Energy Technology and Deployment at 717-783-8411. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=14173&typeid=1

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau Room 308
Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09/14/2010
CONTACT: John Repetz, Department of Environmental Protection
717-787-1323

All Hands on Deck - PA SOLAR JOBS BILL to run in Senate!

The time has come to start sending letters, making phone calls, and setting up meetings with Senators to push the PA SOLAR JOBS BILL! PASEIA will also be organizing a lobby day in the coming weeks.

MSEIA members can access attached are talking points, sample letters, lobby day information and other materials in the PA Forum of members section of the MSEIA website. If you are not an MSEIA member and are intersted in participating in the campaign please contact us! Please email paseia@mseia.net and we will get right back to you.

In addition, if you have not yet made a contribution to the PASEIA Solar Bill Campaign, we encourage you to do so, to support our lobbying budget and make this campaign as effective as possible. Please see the attached fundraising letter. Checks can be made out to MSEIA PA Division and mailed to the PA Office: 80 Pechins Mill Road / Collegeville, PA / 19426.

Please call your senators to let them know how important a yes vote on HB1128 is for solar's future in PA! Jobs and reduced energy costs depend on it!