Solar Energy Facts

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Solar energy employs 175,000 AmericansJobs:

  • At the end of 2014, the solar industry had 174,000 jobs in the U.S.
  • One out of 78 new jobs was created by the solar industry in 2014
  • Jobs in the solar industry grew 21.8%, while jobs in the U.S. overall only grew 1.1%.

Source: http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/national-solar-jobs-census-2014/

 

Solar energy installations have grown 5000% annuallyThe ITC: 

  • The ITC was adopted in 2005 and first funded in 2006. It is the only federal incentive for solar and supports large scale solar projects as well as solar on your home, business, church, or school.
  • Globally, fossil fuels receive 5x the subsidies as renewable energy.
  • Since 2006, solar installations have increased by 5,000% annually.
  • The ITC is set to expire at the end of 2016.
  • If the ITC is not extended, 7000 small businesses could go out of business and up to 100,000 U.S. employees could lose their jobs. (1)
  • Click here to ask Congress to include solar in this year’s tax extender’s legislation!

Source: SEIA/GTM Research U.S. Solar Market Insight 2014 Year in Review

 

Solar energy NET meteringNet Metering: 

  • When families go solar in America, they use a crucial policy called net metering. Net metering allows homeowners to get equal credit for the power they produce from solar and don’t immediately use.
  • Independent studies show that net metering is a financial benefit to all ratepayers.
  • Net metering allows homeowners to save money on their electricity bills and make the choice to create their own power right on their roofs.
  • State sponsored monopoly utilities are threatened by competition from rooftop solar companies and trying to undermine net metering or charge solar homeowners high monthly fees. Learn about how you can take action at www.allianceforsolarchoice.com.

Sources: Independent state led studies in Mississippi, Nevada, Maine & Vermont

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