The United States installed more solar panels in 2012 than in any previous year, according to a new report, with residential use of solar power up 70 percent over 2011.
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SEIA is the solar energy industry’s go-to source for the latest coverage on solar power, including U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. Our staff strives to support the media covering solar energy issues and guide our members on effective media outreach with clear statements, background materials, news and multimedia resources.
SEIA is committed to informing policymakers, the media, and the American public about the benefits of solar energy for today’s communities, our economy, and our country.
Learn more from our statements and industry news below.
Get Ready, Utilities: Solar Is Coming
Quick question. Your state has good sunshine, lots of open rooftops, and the cost of solar energy has been falling by 10% per year. Do you think it will take 13 years to double the 10 megawatts (MW) of installed solar power?
Colorado's solar industry continues to gather steam
The solar industry continues to gather steam in Colorado, even as many subsidies have been changed or reduced.
Renewables Could Power Grid 99.9 Percent of the Time
Renewable energy could fully power a large electric grid 99.9 percent of the time by 2030 at costs comparable to today's electricity expenses, according to new research by the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College.
Restoring School Programs Through Solar Savings
For decades, there's been a lot of buzz going around regarding the lack of funding in schools across the U.S. All too often, especially in today's volatile economic environment, education budgets are viewed as more of a burden to the overall government budget rather than an important investment in tomorrow's leaders. As a result, programs in early childhood education continue to be cut more and more due to a lack of funding.
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Renewable Energy Industries Ready to Lead U.S. Economic Recovery
The leaders of the American Wind Energy Association, Geothermal Energy Association, National Hydropower Association and Solar Energy Industries Association today released the following statement:
The fast-growing renewable energy sector is poised to help lead the U.S. economic recovery with millions of new jobs and billions of private investment dollars. However, the new Administration and Congress need to take action to ensure that the renewable industries’ growth continues, given the current economic realities.
SEIA: America hired a new generation of leaders promising clean energy policies
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President Rhone Resch issued the following statement on the nationwide election results:
“Americans hired a new generation of leaders on the expressed promise that they will support clean energy policies – leaders like Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania. These lawmakers augment established Democratic and Republican leaders that are committed to expanding our nation’s renewable energy supplies. Now it's time to move forward on implementing the Obama energy plan that will create 5 million green-collar jobs in the U.S.”
Solar Energy Industries Association Names Senator Maria Cantwell 2008 National Solar Energy Champion of the Year
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.
SEIA President Rhone Resch Highlights Industry Success in Extending Federal Solar Tax Credits, Outlines Ambitious Agenda for 2009
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president Rhone Resch delivered remarks today at the 5th annual Solar Power International Conference. Resch highlighted the solar industry’s success in passage of an 8-year extension of the 30-percent residential and commercial solar investment tax credit (ITC).
Federal Solar Tax Credits Extended for 8 Years, US Poised to Become Largest Solar Market in the World
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.
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New 160-acre solar farm will be largest in Maryland
The array of solar panels all facing south give the appearance of a shimmering lake. And by late December, the 300,000 solar panels, each roughly the size of a 46-inch flat screen television near the Maryland Correctional Institution-Hagerstown off Roxbury Road, are expected to generate a peak of 20 megawatts of power per hour.
Solar Energy Is Ready. The U.S. Isn't
Clean energy has become a dirty word in presidential politics. In their second debate, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama each tried to outdo the other’s love of fossil fuels: Obama extolling his record on oil and natural gas production, Romney vowing to take “advantage of the oil and coal we have here.” The Republican candidate has ridiculed the administration’s $535 million loan guarantee to Solyndra, the bankrupt California-based solar panel maker, and accused Obama of living “in an imaginary world where government-subsidized windmills and solar panels could power the economy.”
Cities Enticed by Pay-if-You-Save Energy Deals
WHEN the city of Brea, Calif., about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles, set out to reduce its carbon emissions and save money on energy costs, the challenge was the same faced by many other cities nationwide: allocating the funds to pay for the program.
Democrats Seek to Aid Solar With Control of Arizona Board
Arizona Democrats are vying to wrest control of the state utility board so they can expand the use of solar energy in the nation’s sunniest state.
Ikea uses sun, wind to become energy independent
Energy independence by 2020? The idea has been touted on the U.S. presidential campaign trail, but global home furnishings retailer Ikea is announcing plans Tuesday to achieve that goal with solar and wind power.
