SEIA President Rhone Resch Highlights Industry Success in Extending Federal Solar Tax Credits, Outlines Ambitious Agenda for 2009

SAN DIEGO – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) president Rhone Resch delivered remarks today at the 5^th annual Solar Power International Conference. Resch highlighted the solar industry’s success in passage of an 8-year extension of the 30-percent residential and commercial solar investment tax credit (ITC).

“Securing the long-term passage of the solar tax credits is something the entire solar industry should be proud of. This was a collaborative and sustained effort involving SEIA’s board, members and staff, as well as our many allies in Congress,” Resch said.

Resch also outlined an ambitious agenda for SEIA and the solar industry in 2009.

“Passage of the ITC is just the beginning. In 2009, with the new Congress and the administration, SEIA will advocate for the inclusion of a solar carve-out in a national renewable electricity standard and will be a major force in shaping global warming legislation,” Resch said. “We will aggressively push for a national net metering standard and new transmission infrastructure that can bring clean, abundant solar energy to millions of families and businesses.”

In his comments, Resch thanked the many leaders in Congress that were instrumental in passage of the ITC including Senate Leaders Reid and McConnell and Senators Baucus, Grassley, Cantwell and Ensign and from the House, Leaders Pelosi, Hoyer, Boehner, and Blunt, and Chairman Rangel, Ranking Republican McCrery and Rep. Camp.

Also announced during Resch’s presentation was a new edition of SEIA’s Solar Tax Manual to reflect changes to the tax code with the extended ITC. The new tax manual will be available for free to all SEIA members and for a fee to non-members.

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About SEIA:
Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of more than 800 solar energy manufacturers, project developers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants and financiers. Established in 1974, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar. Learn more at www.seia.org.