This morning our friends at SEIA and GTM Research released their latest report on American solar market trends. U.S. Solar Market Insight: Q1 2012 found that solar growth continued its breakneck pace, with installations for the quarter 85% higher than last year this time – making it highest first quarter in history. Cumulatively, the U.S. has installed nearly 5,000 megawatts of solar electric capacity. Just five years ago, we were celebrating 150 megawatts installed nationwide. Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how far we’ve come in such a short time. » Read the rest of this entry «
We know solar energy creates more jobs per megawatt than any other energy source. But what does that mean for a state like New York that’s considering a big new solar program? We sat down to crunch the numbers – and the short answer is: if Albany gets that solar legislation across the finish line before the session ends this month, they will help create thousands of local jobs all over the state. » Read the rest of this entry «
Actor Mark Ruffalo is taking a break from playing a big, green superhero in the movies to talking about something bigger and greener happening in New York: new solar policy.
With rising electricity needs, plenty of sunshine, and a local workforce primed for jobs, New York has what it takes to lead the nation’s solar economy. But the state’s existing policies have installed just over 100 megawatts of solar to date. By comparison, their neighbors in New Jersey have more than six times that amount.
After nearly three years of hard work – lawmakers in Albany are just steps away from passing legislation that would unleash thousands of megawatts of local solar and make New York a real solar powerhouse. And now we’re racing against time to get it done before they break for the summer. Mark Ruffalo is helping us call on New Yorkers to speak up in support.
Now it turns out that New York solar actually has quite a lot in common with a certain comic book character that Mark so winningly portrayed, which for copyright reasons we’ll call “The Shmincredible Shmulk.” Both are incredibly powerful. Both make the world a safer place. And both are just generally awesome.
But they also differ in some very important ways . . .
The Shmulk’s mood swings make him rather unpredictable; Solar power is reliable – the sun comes up every single day ready to produce clean energy for New York. And perhaps most importantly, the Shmulk is a comic book character; New York solar is real today.
We all know New York is ready to be a leader in solar energy. It will protect our environment, save millions in electricity costs, keep energy dollars invested in New York communities, and put thousands of back to work up and down the state. Mark Ruffalo has it right: It’s time to urge legislators to pass strong New York solar policy today.
TAKE ACTION
Do you live in New York or know others who do? We’ve made it easy to send an email of support here. Want to make an even bigger impact? Make a quick phone call to your state reps. Find your State Senator and phone number here and your Assemblymember here and tell them . . .
My name is (XXX) and I live in (Name of Town). I am a voter in your district and solar power is a key issue for me.
Albany’s hard work on solar has brought us to the brink of establishing New York State as a national solar leader — and now I’m asking you to actively urge your conference to finish the job.
Recent polling shows that 81% of New York voters support passage of long-term solar policy. I’m one of them.
As your constituent, I urge you to work with leadership in your conference to pass strong new solar legislation before the session ends this month.
New York stands at an energy crossroads: the state can continue its business as usual approach to energy or build a safer, healthier local economy by passing the NY Solar Jobs Act. And there’s no question that New Yorkers support the latter . . .
Today we released results of a bi-partisan poll showing that an overwhelming majority of New York voters – of all political parties, from all regions of the state, and across all kinds of different demographics – support proposals to increase the use of local solar power. In fact, fully 81% of New York voters support the New York Solar Jobs Act. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a SUPER majority! » Read the rest of this entry «
LISEIA's Sail Van Nostrand & CCE's Adrienne Esposito
At a solar jobs fair today at Malloy College’s Suffolk campus on Long Island, we joined up with leaders from the business community, environmental advocates and the local labor movement to call on elected officials in Albany to pass the Solar Jobs Act – and soon!
“Long Island needs good jobs,” said Jim Castellane, President of the Nassau and Suffolk Building Trades Council. “This bill (A. 9149a – Englebright) would help create thousands of jobs installing solar panels – jobs that can’t leave the area – and make sure they pay good wages. Thousands of out-of-work New Yorkers are counting on our elected officials to pass this legislation.”
11/25 – Update!!!! The NY solar industry’s open letter got through to Mr. O’Reilly – he’s now working with a “legitimate guy” to go solar on his Long Island home. How’s that for proof that Americans, regardless of political orientation, love them some local solar power?
