Solar Power World is happy to announce that it is giving solar installers the forum to speak their minds with a new feature called “From the Field.” This space will allow contractors to offer their thoughts on the industry in their own words. If you are interested in contributing, contact any of the Solar Power World editors: Editorial Director Frank Andorka: fandorka@solarpowerworldonline.com; Managing Editor Kathie Zipp: kzipp@solarpowerworldonline.com; or Associate Editor Steven Bushong: sbushong@solarpowerworldonline.com.
We are happy to offer our first entry from T.J. Kanczuzewski, president of Inovateus Solar, a Solar Power World Top 250 Contractor. Follow him on Twitter @TJKan and @inovateussolar. You can also see what his company is all about at www.inovateus.com.
T.J. Kanczuzewski, president of Inovateus Solar, a Solar Power World Top 250 Contractor. Follow him on Twitter @TJKan and @inovateussolar. You can also see what his company is all about at www.inovateus.com.
By T.J. Kanczuzewski, Solar Power World Contributor
In less than three years, we will be ringing in the New Year and hoping for a successful, safe and happy 2017. For those of us in the U.S. solar industry, we’re not so sure what will constitute a successful and happy 2017 from a business perspective.
Through the political and media storms that our industry continues to battle, I have an idea. Let’s continue to fight the good fight, but let’s also be prepared to do whatever it takes for our industry to be healthier than ever come Jan. 1, 2017.
The 30% U.S. federal investment tax credit (ITC) that is currently available for commercial and residential solar energy systems that generate electricity, to heat or cool (or provide hot water for use in) a structure, or to provide solar process heat will decrease from 30% to 10% on Jan. 1, 2017. All U.S. solar industry professionals should be talking to their politicians and our company plan to speak with Representative Fred Upton of Michigan, who is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee in Congress, and U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana about how the tax credit has extremely helped our industry to grow. Both politicians are local to our company’s headquarters in South Bend, Ind., which is right on the Indiana/Michigan state line.
At Inovateus Solar, we’re putting our money on the sun and are continually molding our business development plan to prepare for the worst in terms of federal incentives. We hope that other U.S. solar companies are doing the same because we need our U.S. solar industry to remain as strong as ever come 2017. Electricity prices are only going to continue to rise, customers will continue their quest for energy independence and the delivered cost for solar energy will become more economical. Solar energy is a global industry that the U.S. economy will not ignore. I urge all U.S. solar leaders to continue their efforts on innovative models that will deliver clean, economical energy to the American customers. Cheers to a successful, safe and happy 2017.