Solar Rebate Program On Its Way Out The Door

A solar rebate program that has provided millions of dollars in subsidies to Pennsylvania consumers is ending, and alternative energy advocates are worried.  The AP has more:

The Pennsylvania Sunshine program, passed in 2008, provided $100 million in solar rebates to homeowners and businesses to install such systems. That led to a boom, but the program has only a few millions dollars left, and the state has no plans to renew it.
“Some firms have moved to Ohio already, and we are considering that. By springtime we’re going to be looking at layoffs, or have to open another location in another state,” said Joe Morinville, the owner of Energy Independent Solutions in McKee’s Rocks.
He said some of his competitors have already left Pennsylvania for states that are continuing to support for the industry.
Karen Foltz, a spokeswoman for Pittsburgh-based Vox Energy Solutions, said the current climate for solar businesses in the state is hardly welcoming.
“People are losing their jobs,” said Foltz.

The solar industry has also complained Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, which compels electric companies to buy solar power, is out of date. They’re also worried solar power is low on the Corbett Administration’s priority list. Last week, StateImpact pointed out the Republican has already driven out more green energy grants to natural gas projects through the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority than Democrat Ed Rendell did from 2005 to 2010.

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