Green Jobs Now – the secret source of clean energy’s power

One of the good news stories coming from the booming clean-tech sector is that it’s a job creation machine even as we go into a recession. Over coming months and years, with the presidential campaign followed by new leadership in the White House, this will become more of a driver for initiating clean energy projects now.

Part of the appeal of green-collar jobs is that they suit urbanized populations. With 80 percent of Americans living in cities, it’s great news that there’s an industry building (literally) to provide more urban jobs. Green-collar jobs build on existing skill sets, like those of tradesmen, or can be taught fairly quickly. Many of the renewable energy projects will be taking place in cities. As cities and states face growing unemployment numbers, workforce development in wind, solar and biofuel is becoming popular nationwide.

Solar energy manufacturing and installation jobs are spread across the U.S. at rates that show explosive growth in uptake. The states that should see the most growth in the solar sector are California, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington, mainly because they have state-sponsored incentives that are creating new markets for solar. Solar electric, solar hot water and utility-scale solar plants will account for the growth in new manufacturing, construction, and engineering jobs, and in the roofing, electrical, and plumbing trades.

Congress is currently considering extending a solar industry tax credit, which would substantially boost the current demand for solar and support the expansion of a green-collar workforce. The renewable energy tax credit is tool that is often used for industry development – and the oil, gas and coal companies have benefited from them for decades. A new economic study issued by Navigant Consulting, Inc. shows that in this case, extending the current 30 percent investment tax credit for 8 years would result in 1.2 million new jobs by 2016. That means that by 2016, the solar energy industry would employ 440,000 people.  The most growth would be seen in manufacturing and construction jobs. Other benefits would include an increase of $232 billion in domestic investment in the solar industry by 2016. This kind of investment will help produce more than 28 gigawatts of power by 2016 – enough to power 7 million homes. Check out the full study at SEIA.

We know there is a lot of hype about capital flows coming into the clean-tech sector. As we’ve seen in recent days on Wall Street, financial flows can come and go. But good jobs and meaningful careers last and they are what comes out of the clean energy system. It is clear that a new, multi-billion dollar economic sector is emerging, bringing new opportunities in green construction, clean technology, and energy. It is a movement that deserves to be supported across the United States.

A campaign called Green for All has planned a National Day of Action on September 27th. They are asking people to take an “I’m Ready” photo to show the presidential candidates that America is ready for a green economy and green jobs now. On September 27th, thousands of people across the country will participate in their communities across the country. You can too!

Please join Green for All and Sungevity by taking a photo in your community. Sungevity staff will be participating in a number of events in California in Richmond, Oakland and San Francisco. We see it as part of our work not just to sell solar electric systems to homeowners, but also to facilitate the creation of many green-collar jobs that will lead us to a new, green economy – one with the power to lift people out of poverty while respecting and repairing the environment.

Solar: a safe investment

The question of where to invest your money is on everyone’s mind. After watching investors go on a roller coaster ride these past few months with the fall of several major financial institutions, the idea of putting your money anywhere besides in your wallet is scary. However, there is an investment worthy of your hard-earned dollars: solar energy solutions.

Due to the nationwide credit crunch, the amount of unsold homes escalated and pushed construction of new homes into a steep decline. According to The New York Times, construction of new homes and apartments hit a 17-year low in August. What do low construction rates have to do with your home? It means that home values are falling, and that your home’s value might be affected. Moreover, electricity prices are rising— more than the present nationwide 10% a year. As natural resources dwindle, the value of inefficient houses is set to decrease even more. It is bad enough that everyday expenses are rising with a weak dollar, but an unstable stock market combined with dropping home values and rising energy costs is downright scary.

Fortunately, California has the country’s largest solar power incentive program – the California Solar Initiative. The program assists homeowners installing solar energy, and hopes to initiate the creation of a million solar roofs throughout the state.  The rebate from the program can amount to thousands of dollars in savings by cutting down the upfront cost of installing a home solar system. In addition to the California program, the federal government and local governments like the City of Berkeley and San Francisco are offering thousands of dollars to help finance solar installations. Considering the savings you receive throughout the 25-year lifespan of a solar energy system, installing solar panels on your roof is the best investment you could make during troubled economic times.

Another reason why going green with solar is the best financial choice today is that it increases the value of your home – and people want to buy solar homes. In a survey done by the Environment California Research & Policy Center, 63% of the people surveyed said they would pay more for a solar home. In another survey of solar homeowners, 77% of the homeowners reported that the solar system was an important factor in the decision to buy their new home; 84% believed a solar power system would be a selling feature if they were to sell their house; and 92% would recommend a solar home to friends. The findings show that home buyers are becoming more conscious about rising utility costs, and they want to buy a home that is energy efficient, and therefore, cost efficient. You might still be worrying about the initial cost of a solar system despite the rebates, savings and increased home value. Don’t fret, there is help on the way. Sungevity and most solar companies can help customers secure good financial solutions, as can services like the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) that is federally recognized and can be applied to most home mortgages. Homebuyers qualify for larger loans on energy efficient homes. Check out our case study of a solar investment in California.

In these turbulent financial times, a solar energy system is a secure investment that not only saves you money, but also solar increases the value of your home when you sell it. If you’re still not convinced, contact Sungevity and we will design solar options to suit both your budget and your environmental goals, and calculate for you the financial benefits of this easy process to solar powering your future.

The best time to go solar: now!

Recent events in the financial markets have highlighted the volatility of the traditional mode of investing your hard-earned dollars. With a secure and predetermined stream of savings for the average homeowner, like never before, the investment potential of a home solar installation can be a stable and consistent source of value for homeowners in this troubled economy.

We know you might be worried about your financial future today, but here are a few reasons to consider solar power, especially now:

First, the California Solar Initiative is offering a cash rebate up-front to reduce the cost of a solar system by thousands of dollars. Through the end of the year, the federal government offers you a tax break of a further $2,000, reducing the cost of the system. You immediately enjoy lower utility bills from the day Sungevity’s experienced installers switch on your solar electric system.  Electricity prices are rising around 10% annually nationwide, and look likely to continue to rise long into the future (see earlier blog here at sungevity.com).  By going solar, you reduce your exposure to these escalating utility costs—not only making your home more valuable, but also improving your family’s budget planning while reducing the risks of high electricity costs.

Over the 25-year life of the system, solar reduces your net electricity costs: in short, you will have higher household expenses in years to come if you don’t go solar. This puts more money in your pocket to do more of what you love. When times are tough, the real question is how can you afford not to invest in solar?

Compared to investing in the stock market, or leaving money in the bank, investing in solar energy creates a high return on investment: our customers see between 10-20% ROI. The return is secure and predictable – and you physically own your investment!  You don’t have to worry about your bank surviving, or the investment banks behaving themselves—your solar investment is safe on your roof. Sungevity can help estimate that return for your home when you enter your address on our website.

With solar, you also enjoy the benefits of having differentiated your home in a weary property market.  Solar increases the value of your home as you have reduced the operating expenses of the property (lower utility bills) and created an emotional resonance with the many thousands of green-minded home buyers.

Lastly, solar is an investment in the environment.  With no moving parts, and no inputs besides sunlight, you can reduce your carbon footprint and feel good knowing that you are generating silent, clean energy to make the future brighter for generations to come.

The upside down view from Australia

Sorry for the gap between blogs but in August I took a holiday downunder, to Australia, from whence I came.

It was great to have a break and also look at the solar market from the perspective of another economy. It made me all the more excited to come back to California, a nation-state twice the size of Australia, that is really becoming a world leader in solar solutions, whereas Australia is a leader in carbon pollution.

That’s right folks – you heard it here first (perhaps):

While America as a country has a much greater responsibility for carbon dioxide pollution over the last couple of centuries, due to its industry and big population, Australia is worse per capita. On the bright side, California in particular is leading the charge on stopping bad stuff, like coal power, and starting good stuff, like solar electricity.

The main reason for this disparity is Australia’s dependence on coal, which produces the lion’s share of the country’s electricity. It also is phenomenally inefficient with worse standards on weatherisation of buildings, lighting, heating, and so on, whereas California’s per person consumption of electricity, at least, has kept remarkably flat despite a growing economy and population for the last 40 years.

The other problem Australia poses is that it sells more coal to the world than any other nation. The export of coal is a huge money spinner for Australia. On the other side of the Pacific pond, California has weaned itself off coal and will no longer even import coal-generated electricity from next decade.

California is leading the nation in building a solar industry and Sungevity is proud to be involved in this effort. Of course, we’d love to be part of something in Australia, too, and there are positive signs that I’ll have an excuse to go back there someday. Last month, the Minister for the Environment and former Midnight Oil frontman, Peter Garrett, rejected a major coal export expansion port proposal. Several states are initiating policies to support the uptake of solar and there’s lots of good work by social movements demanding clean energy now.

I  look forward to the next time I return to Australia to see my family and friends, but the environmental leadership that drew us here – the California Solar Initiative – is still an inspiration. Shine on, California!