Senate Republicans Send Treasury Department Letter Seeking Safe Harbor Extension
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 21, 2020 Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) sent a letter to the Treasury Department requesting changes to safe harbor requirements for solar energy projects in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
An Open Letter on COVID-19: The Resilience of the Solar Industry
By Abigail Ross Hopper. Two months ago, I wrote an open letter to the solar industry about COVID-19, describing what SEIA was doing to address this profound crisis, and laying out what we knew about the impacts of the virus on solar companies nationwide. I wanted to take this moment to reflect on our experience, share what SEIA and our members are doing, and talk about where we go from here.
COVID-19 Impacts on the U.S. Solar Industry
Like many American industries, the solar industry has been hit hard by COVID-19. Compounding issues, including supply chain delays, tightening of tax equity markets, homeowners’ financial concerns, shelter-in-place orders, and permitting challenges are all placing tremendous pressure on the industry. Without strategic government action, U.S. jobs and economic investment will suffer. With the right policies in place, the solar industry is poised to lead the U.S. out of this economic recession and create jobs for thousands of Americans.
American Solar Workers Speak Up About the Harm the Coronavirus Is Causing
Thank you to those who have responded to our COVID-19 impact survey. Please continue to fill it out if your situation has changed or you are just starting to feel the impacts of this crisis. Your responses help SEIA advocate more effectively on behalf of our workers and businesses.
California Will Dramatically Undercount Savings from Customer-Driven Clean Energy
The coronavirus pandemic has many of us thinking about the systems we depend on and how we can protect them during times of crisis. When California families and small businesses invest in rooftop solar and onsite batteries as well as other demand response technologies, they make the power grid safer, more affordable and more resilient for all of us. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates the state’s investor-owned utilities, recently updated how they calculate the benefits of smaller energy projects.
Clean Energy Sector Disappointed in FERC’s MOPR Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today largely rejected the clean energy sector’s Request for Rehearing on its order to impose a Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) in the PJM capacity market. While clarifying that voluntary RECs are not considered by the Commission to be a state subsidy, FERC otherwise affirmed its December 2019 decision.
New York Begins Solar Market Recovery With Permitting Fix for Large Scale Projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. and ALBANY, N.Y. – Yesterday, New York State leaders enacted critical, pro-solar provisions as part of the New York state budget. Following is a statement from David Gahl, senior director of state affairs, northeast for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
Survey Findings: Things are bad and getting worse
As the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, one thing has become very clear – the solar industry is at risk. A survey of our member companies conducted over the past ten days provides further proof points to this story: the data shows that solar companies and workers are losing business and being put out of work by COVID-19.
Solar Industry Statement on $2 Trillion COVID-19 Stimulus Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following is a statement by Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, on the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package agreed to by Congress late last night:
COVID-19 Resource: Options for Small Business
SEIA is advocating strongly for legislation which would provide much-needed assistance to the 75% of solar companies that are small businesses. Learn more about Congressional action and upcoming legislation in the attached factsheet.