SEIA

Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association released its 2008 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, highlighting a third year of record growth.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President & CEO Rhone Resch today commended President Obama for signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law in Denver, Colorado and commented on how it will help stimulate the solar industry immediately.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today announced that U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is the Democratic winner of its 2008 National Solar Energy Champion Award, citing her strong support and leadership on solar energy issues in the U.S. Senate. Senator Cantwell played a leading role in forging the bipartisan compromise that extended the solar investment tax credit (ITC), set to expire at the end of this year, for another eight years.

Today, by a vote of 263 to 171, the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic legislation that extends the 30-percent federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations for 8 years.

House-passed bill would extend federal solar tax credits for 8 years, eliminate $2,000 cap on residential projects, and remove exemptions for utilities and AMT filers

(Washington, DC) – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today announced that U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) is the Republican winner of its 2008 National Solar Energy Champion Award, citing his strong support and leadership on solar energy-related issues in the U.S. Congress.

Solar Energy Industries Association president Rhone Resch released the following statement after the Senate voted on bipartisan legislation to extend federal solar tax credits by 8 years. The amendment to H.R. 6049, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, to extend renewable energy tax credits passed by a vote of 93 to 2. SEIA expects the Senate will complete votes on other amendments and pass H.R. 6049 later today.

"The entire solar energy industry would like to thank Senators Cantwell and Ensign for their leadership and support of renewable energy.

"By an overwhelming margin, Republicans and Democrats came together in the Senate to support renewable energy as a means for stimulating our ailing economy. More than 85 percent of the public supports greater investment by the federal government in renewable energy. And Americans know that this move to stabilize the investment climate for solar energy is the right type of economic stimulus at the right time.