In Washington state, we get enough sun to power our needs 21 times over. Solar power not only provides clean, local energy; it also creates jobs and local economic development — like my job, designing and selling solar systems here in the sate.
Solar power is a growing American success story and will be as common as a cellphone in the future. Here in Washington per capita solar power capacity grew 56 percent in 2014, and according to a recent report, the solar industry employed more than 2,000 people in the state in 2015. But to continue to reap these benefits here, we must support its continued growth.
State legislators in Olympia are currently considering legislation that would do exactly that. Washington decided in 2005 to create a solar industry, now we are here and House Bill 2346 would extend the incentive program that would oterhwise expire. This program has effectively encouraged thousands of state residents and businesses to invest in and install solar in their neighborhoods. In my neighborhood in Duvall I drive by multiple solar energy systems every day including my neighbor who had a system installed by my company using panels made in Bellingham.
In part because of this solar incentive program, more than 130 solar businesses from Vancouver to the Tri-Cities to Spokane are employing state residents. It has also helped to deploy more than 60 megawatts in solar energy production, with 23 MW installed since 2014. From the installers, to the inspectors, to the suppliers, the jobs are local.
Here’s how the incentive program works: Participating utilities pay an incentive to customers who have invested in solar, in exchange for a tax credit equal to the incentive payments made. The payment to the solar customer is based on the amount of solar they produce each year and a multiplier rate based on if their solar equipment came from within the state or not. At the same time, the individuals, families, businesses and communities who decide to go solar are contributing to the job growth, economic investment and clean energy that are benefitting our state.
If legislators don’t act to extend the program it will expire in 2020. The importance of passing this bill now is that there is a cap on how much each utility can pay out in incentives. Those caps are being reached by many utilities. The new bill would increase these caps and create clarity for future solar customers. In other words, without action from our state legislators to pass a strong, clean bill, the growth in our state solar industry, and the jobs that come with it, could stall. Fortunately, House Bill 2346 has passed the state House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 77-20. The legislation is now being considered as a part of the final budget negotiations; state leaders need to make sure the job gets done.
We urge state Sen. Andy Hill, the chief budget negotiator in the state Senate, and legislators statewide to support HB 2346, so that we can continue to have a growing solar industry in Washington.
The U.S. solar industry currently employs 208,859 workers, a figure which represents 20.2 percent growth in employment over 2014. For the third consecutive year, employment in the solar industry increased 20 precent or more.
By not extending the production incentive now in this current legislative session, our state could lose out on the economic advantages of a booming solar industry. On the other hand, by embracing policies that support the growth of solar and passing HB 2346, we can harness the power of the sun, increase our energy independence and keep energy dollars in our local economy, while putting people to work in our communities. That’s a winner for both Washington’s energy and economic future.
Anders Alexander works for a Washington state-based solar company, www.solarinstallersofwa.org, and lives in Duvall. Bruce Speight, executive director of Environment Washington, www.environmentwashington.org, provided additional background.
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