Proposed Changes to C.E.C. rebates in California [RE-wrenches]

Jeff Yago jryago at erols.com
Fri May 11 06:55:15 PDT 2001


I had a solar thermal firm from 1972 through 1979 (remember the 73 and
78 oil crisis?)
 and I can tell you without any doubt that it was the tax credits that
killed the industry!

First, the credits were in the news for almost two years before the
bills were actually signed and passed by Carter.  Every call I
received said they would wait to buy until the tax credits were in
effect.  Many really good solar firms died from a major drop in sales
in the two years leading up to the credits.

Second, as soon as the credits took effect there were very few
experienced solar firms still in business and this market void was
quickly filled by every "siding salesman" in the world.

Third,  since most homeowners were buying to get the credits, they had
little concern for quality or even if their systems provided any
savings at all - there only question to me was "how much can I take
off my taxes?"

Forth, the trash systems that this buying mentality produced soon
failed and news stories about these disasters set the industry back 20
years.

Fifth, as soon as the credits went into effect, pent up price
increases on hold due to poor sales went into effect which negated
most of the tax savings.

I think government funds help in pure solar research that the industry
may not have the money to do which does benefit us all in higher cell
efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs, but as they say -if you do
not know history you are destined to repeat it.

Jeff Yago

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