Sanders/Cohen Bill Would Cover America's Roofs with Solar

National rebate program would deploy photovoltaic and solar hot water, create tens of thousands of jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today applauded Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) for introducing the 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010. This bill, modeled on California's Million Solar Roofs initiative, would deploy photovoltaic solar panels on 10 million rooftops nationwide and increase the capacity of solar hot water by 10 million gallons over the course of the next 10 years.


"Senator Sanders and Congressman Cohen have shown true leadership by setting a bold vision for solar installations that will help the U.S. reclaim global leadership in this fast growing industry," said SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch. "Passing this bill would create the world's largest market for solar energy here in the U.S. and bring with it tens of thousands of manufacturing and installation jobs in all 50 states. This bill will help lift the U.S. economy at a time when we need it most. The solar industry is ready now to step up to meet the challenge Senator Sanders and Congressman Cohen have laid out for our country."

"This bill will help make America energy independent while creating many thousands of good paying jobs in the U.S. It will also help bring long term relief to American homeowners, who otherwise face mounting energy bills. This bill represents a rare legislative opportunity for a win-win-win, and we salute Senator Sanders and Representative Cohen for introducing it," said Jeff Wolfe, co-founder and CEO of Vermont-based solar distributor, installer, and integrator groSolar and Chairman of SEIA's Photovoltaic (PV) Division.

"Sharp commends Senator Saunders and Representative Cohen for sponsoring this new legislation which will foster the growth of the U.S. residential solar market," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar. "We are pleased to see Congressman Cohen and the State of Tennessee, where we manufacture our solar modules, lead this effort. Legislation such as this will help make our nation's energy portfolio more sustainable, create green jobs and help combat climate change, while helping secure energy independence."

The 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Hot Water Act would provide rebates to residential and commercial property owners to install photovoltaic and solar hot water heating systems. These rebates would help overcome initial cost barriers that have slowed widespread solar adoption, despite 92 percent of the American public agreeing that it is important for the nation to develop and use solar energy.


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Background Resources:
SEIA Solar Job Profiles - http://www.seia.org/cs/about_solar_energy/solar_job_profiles
National Poll Shows More Than Nine Out of 10 Americans Want Solar Now - http://www.seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=638

About SEIA:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of solar energy industry. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy.

SEIA Online:
Learn more - http://www.seia.org
Follow SEIA President & CEO Rhone Resch on Twitter - http://twitter.com/RhoneResch
Watch SEIA on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/thesolarindustry
Become a Facebook fan - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solar-Energy-Industries-Association/112495296809
Read the Solar Bill of Rights - http://www.SolarBillofRights.org

Media Contact:
Monique Hanis, 202.556.2885, mhanis@seia.org
Jared Blanton, 202.556.2886, jblanton@seia.org
Mark Sokolove, Tigercomm, 703.302.8382, mark@tigercomm.us

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