Diane Cardwell reports on the creative ways in which solar installers are taking advantage of government subsidies, creative financing, and cheap Chinese-made panels to make solar power accessible to the mass market.
With the number of residential and commercial solar installations more than doubling over the last two years, it seems as though solar power installation companies have found the right blend of economics and marketing to beging to penetrate the mass market. While the manufacturing side of the industry in the United States has struggled, due mainly to competition from Chinese firms, "Major players in the installation business, like SolarCity, Sunrun and Sungevity, are thriving," writes Cardwell.
"The structure of the deals varies by company and state, but the overall
approach is generally the same: Customers agree to pay a fixed monthly
charge or rate for all the solar power produced, and the companies that
finance the systems pay for the installation and take the value of any
tax breaks or renewable energy credits for which the customer would
ordinarily be eligible. Some companies concentrate on financing and use
local contractors for sales and installation, while others do everything
themselves."
"Through such arrangements, industry executives say, customers can lower
their power bills, escape the uncertainty of fluctuating energy costs,
and avoid the complex bureaucracy of federal and local credits, rebates,
grants and tax breaks."

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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