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Showing posts from November, 2018

The Short and Long-Term Effects of Trump’s Solar Panel Tariffs on Idaho Solar Customers

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You may have read the “doomsday” articles back in February 2018 describing a cloudy future for the solar industry. Headlines recounted the “billions” of shelved U.S. solar projects due to the tariffs, or the “scramble” within the solar industry to finish projects ahead of the tariff deadline. There were some good reasons for these dire warnings. Just as the 2018 tariff on foreign-manufactured solar panels was set to go into effect, the federal solar Investment Tax Credit was also starting to sunset, and the price of solar PV was on a continued decline, signaling that solar was gaining parity in the energy market. However, even with higher panel prices, declining tax credits, and cheaper electricity costs, the solar industry is starting to see clearer skies up ahead, at least in the short-term. So what does this mean for solar Boise customers or the future of Idaho solar power in general? According to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the tariffs are

Should You Lease or Buy Your Next Solar Photovoltaic System?

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If you’re pondering this question, you likely already know the benefits of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems. Solar PV, which converts light photons from sunlight into electricity, is an increasingly popular way to generate electricity from clean, renewable sources. Idaho currently ranks 21st in the country for solar energy production, and energy management Boise companies have so far installed approximately 414 MW of solar across Idaho. Additionally, 57,475 homes in Idaho are currently powered by solar. And although only 3.47% of Idaho’s electricity comes from solar, the production, manufacturing, and installation has created 654 solar jobs in Idaho. While there are many social, environmental, and economic benefits associated with solar, financing an entire PV system can be cost prohibitive. If you’re interested in going solar but don’t have the cash to pay for a system up front, you have several financing options, though laws and policies are different in each stat