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."

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.
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