WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it “a major investment in America’s future,” Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today applauded a proposal included in President Obama’s fiscal 2016 budget request that would make the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) permanent, similar to other existing tax credits. Solar energy is an American success story.  Since first being enacted in 2006 under a Republican administration – and at SEIA’s strong urging – the solar ITC has been a tremendous boon to both the U.S. economy and our environment. The proposal presented today by President Obama would extend this proven, successful policy for years to come,” Resch said.Â
“The ITC has changed America for the better. The
solar industry employs nearly 175,000 Americans, pumps $15 billion a year into our economy and offsets more than 20 million metric tons of damaging carbon emissions. Â In the past four years, employment in the solar industry has increased by more than 85 percent – and last year alone, we created one out of every 78 new jobs in America. Â This remarkable progress is due, in large part, to smart, effective public policies like the solar ITC.Â
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“We applaud President Obama’s proposal to make the solar ITC a permanent part of our nation’s tax policy. Â Without question, it sends a strong signal to America’s solar markets, while charting the course toward an even stronger clean energy future.”
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Today, the U.S. has an estimated 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar capacity nationwide, enough to effectively power nearly 4 million homes in the United States – or every single home in a state the size of Massachusetts or New Jersey – with another 20 GW in the pipeline for 2015 and 2016, according to SEIA and GTM Research projections.
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About SEIA:
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Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at
www.seia.org.
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Media Contacts:
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Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications,
kjohnson@seia.org (202) 556-2885Â
Samantha Page, SEIA Press Officer and Communications Manager,
spage@seia.org (202) 556-2886
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