Unted States still gets less than one percent of its energy from solar power. For decades American leaders been saying that we are going to genrate more poer from solar energy. Yet, why is it we still have such a low proportion of our energy being harnessed from solar power ?
Rhone Resch, the CEO and President of the Solar Energy Industries ssociation, says solar possibilities are still bright. He says things ar looking up because government policies are becoming more favorable than before.
Resch said, "In 1916 the oil industry received lifetime sunsidies and land donations from the U.S. government. But solar sunsidies have been slashed. We've never really received full government support." Until now.
During the economic down turn the $2,000 tax deductions for residential solar upgrades was withdrawn. That had helped the residential solar industry. It also created 17,000 new jobs in USA. The commecial solar industry grew by about 37 percent last year. Overall the solar industry brought in $4 billion last year and now employs 46,000.
Resch spent $15,000 to put solar panel on his home in Washington, DC. He now gets $2,800 back each year by selling back to the grid. His top electricity bill averages about $40 each month. It used to be $200. He'll get his $15,000 investment back in just a few years.
Investors still have their doubts. But the outlook ahead seems positive, says Resch.
SOURCE: JASON GEWIRTZ, Senior Producer, CNBC
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