House Bill May Endanger AZ’s Solar Industry

As many of us understand, Arizona is known as one of the best places for solar energy production due to our abundant annual sunshine. Thanks to efforts from the state, which has been working to encourage solar energy development, many new jobs have been created to replace those that were lost in other industries like construction and real estate.

However, in a surprising turn of events earlier this week, the House Government Committee voted 5-to-2 to approve a bill that will endanger these newly created solar jobs in Arizona, a state that has been one of the hardest hit by the current recession.

If Arizona House Bill 2701 (click link for full text HB 2701) is passed into law, it will endanger the solar energy industry in Arizona. In a nutshell, this bill suggests replacing Arizona’s current Renewable Energy Standard (RES), with one that would enable utilities to use nuclear (a non-renewable energy) and hydroelectric power (these dams cause enormous ecological damage) to meet the RES requirements. This will halt the development of renewable energy projects, and Arizona’s solar energy industry at risk.

Also, the bill is proposing a “double regulation” system, which means solar companies and utilities, would have to answer to two bodies of government, instead of one. This approach will not only be significantly more complicated, but it’s much more expensive. Who will pay for this increased expense? Well, increased cost to utilizes is often passed on to rate-payers.

Currently, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is in charge of regulation. However, HB 2701 is proposing the Arizona State Legislature also regulate solar companies and utilities. As a result, Arizona will have more government regulation of solar companies and utilities than any other state in the country. It seems a bit confusing that a state that is normally inclined to push for less government, is asking for more.

In case you hadn’t heard, the renewable energy is one of the most rapidly growing industries in our sun-drenched state. This bill will put thousands of current and future jobs in danger, just as the state is starting to pull itself back up from the blows of the recession. What’s more, HB 2701 would likely guarantee that our state will not be considered for billions in federal dollars, currently available to encourage growth in the renewable energy industry.

If you want to take action, please contact AZ Representative Debbie Lesko at dlesko@azleg.gov.

Coal’s Assault on Human Health

Recently Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) released a medical report, “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” which takes a new look at coal’s effect on public health. The report examines the impact of coal pollution on the major organ systems from the lungs to the brain. This report caught our attention since nearly 95% of our electricity in Tucson is generated from coal.

According to the report, coal emissions contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. and is responsible for increasing the incidence of major diseases already affecting large portions of the U.S. population.

Key findings:

* The respiratory system is seriously affected by air pollutants associated with coal combustion. Ailments include asthma, lung disease, lung cancer and infant mortality. They also adversely affect normal lung development in children.

* Cardiovascular effects include cardiovascular disease, such as blocked arteries that lead to heart attacks, and tissue death that leads to heart damage. Coal pollutants also contribute to irregular heartbeats and congestive heart failure.

* Studies show a correlation between coal-related pollutants and negative impact on the nervous system, such as stroke. Coal pollutants, primarily mercury, also cause a lifelong loss in intellectual capacity and a reduction in IQ.

* Even people who do not develop illnesses from coal pollutants will find their health and wellbeing impacted due to coal’s contribution to global warming. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to climate change and it has extreme adverse effects on health and wellbeing worldwide, such as heat stroke, malaria, declining food production, scarce water supplies, social conflict and starvation.

These stark conclusions leave no room for doubt or delay. We feel the answer is in education and clean energy sources, like solar electricity. Every month 239,450 pounds of CO2 are not emitted into the atmosphere, thanks to TFS customers choosing to make the switch to solar. It’s numbers like those that reinforce the positive impact solar can have on our  environment and our community’s well being.

10 good reasons to go solar in 2010!

1. Lock in your electricity rates

Investing in a solar electric system is like buying 30 years of electricity at a fixed rate, thereby reducing your exposure to rising utility rates. According to the US Energy Information Administration,  Arizona has the third highest utility rate in the western U.S. in 2009 (following California and Oregon).  And, as the prices of coal and natural gas increase, the utility provider will continue to pass the cost to you through future rate increases.  Solar provides long-term financial benefits by saving you money on electricity costs.

2. Increase the value of your home

Solar homes make their own electricity and therefore have lower operating costs than a comparable home without solar.  The cost of your solar electric system is often offset by the increased property value of homes that make their own electricity. According to the Appraisal Journal of the National Appraiser’s Association, a solar electric system may increase the value of your home by $20 for every $1 saved in annual utility expenses. Even though solar may increase the value of your home, AZ state law prohibits it from increasing your property taxes.

Also, solar  energy can be one of the best home improvements you make in terms of return on invested dollar. Even in a down economy, the U.S. DOE’s office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy stated that a home that produces it’s own electricity sells twice as fast as a home without solar. Lennar  Homes saw solar homes selling at a rate of 4.6 homes per month, while only 1.9 non-solar homes were being sold per month, during that same time period.

3. Solar is a Bright Investment

With an average return on investment (ROI) of 10%, you can diversify your investment portfolio with a wise, low-risk investment in solar electricity that pays better than CDs and is safer than the stock market. Also, the more utility rates increase the more your solar system will save you. To read more about individuals who are choosing to invest in solar over the stock market click here.

4.  Be good to Mother Nature & Future Generations

Help reduce global warming one rooftop at a time. Solar is a renewable, non-polluting energy source. When your home produces its own electricity, you reduce the amount of coal powered electricity you are pull from the utility grid. This means fewer emissions, less pollution, and cleaner environment. Coal and natural gas emissions directly contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming, which affect public health and our society’s future. When you go solar, you can feel good knowing that your household electricity consumption will not contribute to resource scarcity for future generations.

5. Worry Free

TFS provides a 10-year workmanship warrantee on all of our solar installations, and our solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warrantee. With no moving parts, solar electricity systems require no maintenance and are designed to operate for 30+ years.

Also, using electricity produced by your own solar electric system is like eating vegetables grown from your own garden. You have the peace of mind of knowing how your power is produced and where it comes from.

6. Solar keeps money and jobs close to home

When you make the decision to go solar it creates jobs and improves the economy. For every five homes that go solar, one new job is created in Tucson. Furthermore, by simply having the solar federal tax credits extended 8 years, the solar energy industry alone could provide almost half a million permanent jobs and $232 billion in investments!

7. Your mini power plant is more efficient than the grid

When there’s a mini power plant on your roof, you can stop wasting energy and money, because you are making energy right where you use it. Solar electricity is produced locally and reduces the need for new transmission infrastructure, huge mining operations, and fossil fuel resources from abroad.  According to the Energy Information Association, when electricity is transferred hundreds of miles through the grid and to your home 10% is just lost as heat. Furthermore, when fossil fuels are converted to electricity 67% of the energy is lost. Now that’s not efficient at all.

8. Solar has never been more affordable

With the combination of the $1000 AZ state tax credit, a 30% federal tax credit, and utility rebates that offer a cash rebate of up to 60%, the cost of your solar electric system is significantly reduced. It’s important to note that these tax credits will not last forever; the federal tax credit will expire in 2016, while the state tax credit will expire in 2012. Also, utility rebates are structured to decrease steadily over time. As the number of solar installations goes up, the generous utility rebates will go down. A word to the wise… financial incentives have never been better than they are right now.

9. Help reduce the negative health consequences of coal powered electricity.

Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. According to a report published by Physicians for Social Responsibility, coal emissions directly contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. These include respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system illness as well as the hazardous impact of global climate change on health and wellbeing worldwide.

10. Be an inspiration

Being the first on your block to install a solar electric system will inspire your neighbors to make the switch to solar too.  Our customers realize that their efforts are part of a number of steps to a larger goal – living in harmony with our environment. We find that inspiration is a strong reason why many of our customers choose to install PV. They are very excited when they realize that going solar is easy and they can absolutely live in line with their values.

As part of our commitment to community outreach, TFS offers to sponsor an Open House after your system has been installed. We will provide refreshments, a tour of your system, and a presentation detailing many great aspects of your new solar PV system. Our customers enjoy having their system be a source of inspiration and education for their friends, family, and neighbors.

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