Will Congress extend solar and wind tax credits?


NFPA 70E Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today
Evolution Solar Corp.'s CEO, Robert Kaapke expects 2008 to be a record setting year for both solar and wind.

With the tax credits set to expire at the end of 2008, "(Solar installers) don't want to go beyond the December 31st deadline, so everybody's trying to jam-pack their orders in before the end of the year," said Kenedi of Sharp Electronics, the largest U.S. producer of solar panels.

"From the manufacturing perspective, we're sold out," said Tom Mueller, a spokesman for BP Solar in Houston.

Tucson-based Technicians for Sustainability buys solar from Schott Solar Inc. and Sun Power Corp. Both makers have told company president Kevin Koch that he will likely not be able to get any more panels this year.

The solar tax credit covers 30% of a system's cost, but it will drop to 10% Jan. 1 2009 if Congress doesn't act soon.

The likelihood of taking on a new job right now is low, said Tom Dyer, senior vice president of marketing and government affairs at Scottsdale-based Kyocera Solar Inc.

“The historical growth within the solar industry is creating a huge demand on suppliers and manufacturers in the market. Silicon prices have gone through the roof and there is a very limited supply of panels," stated Robert Kaapke, CEO of Evolution Solar.

Some think the U.S. could be generating 10% of its electricity from the sun within 10-15 years, and Scientific American published a scheme last year for drawing almost 70% of our power using solar by 2050. Merrill Lynch's Mark Heller noted that solar startups raised more money in 2007-8 than Internet stocks did in their 1998 heyday.

Related News

U.S Bans Russian Uranium to Bolster Domestic Industry

U.S. Russian Uranium Import Ban reshapes nuclear fuel supply, bolstering energy security, domestic enrichment, and…
View more

Texas Utilities back out of deal to create smart home electricity networks

Smart Meter Texas real-time pricing faces rollback as utilities limit on-demand reads, impacting demand response,…
View more

Baltic States Disconnect from Russian Power Grid, Join EU System

Baltic States EU Grid Synchronization strengthens energy independence and electricity security, ending IPS/UPS reliance. Backed…
View more

IVECO BUS Achieves Success with New Hydrogen and Electric Bus Contracts in France

IVECO BUS hydrogen and electric buses in France accelerate clean mobility, zero-emission public transport, fleet…
View more

N.S. joins Western Climate Initiative for tech support for emissions plan

Nova Scotia Cap-and-Trade Program joins Western Climate Initiative to leverage emissions trading IT systems, track…
View more

Britons could save on soaring bills as ministers plan to end link between gas and electricity prices

UK Electricity-Gas Price Decoupling aims to reform wholesale electricity pricing under the Energy Security Bill,…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified