[RE-wrenches] Solar tariffs

[jay peltz]

Hi William,

Here is something else for you to stew about.

The premise is that only China subsidizes its solar and we don't.
In fact we do by our tax breaks for systems.  So we don't at the point of manufacture, but we do for installs.
In my view this is a direct subsidy, we just do it a different way.
My 2 cents.

Cheers,

Jay

peltz power
On May 24, 2012, at 1:31 AM, William Korthof wrote:

> I haven't seen much discussion about the tariffs, but I think the current plan is really an outrage. I've toured the SolarWorld factory twice and used many of their modules---I'd like to see US Solar manufacturers succeed, but I've also toured Chinese factories, and I'm thoroughly impressed by how well Chinese solar companies have invested and innovated. I don't think tariffs are the salvation for SolarWorld, and thanks to their misguided lobbying activities, they've now lost me as a potential customer. Sorry. 
> I'm writing letters to the Pres, my senators, and my reps. Here's what I just wrote to the NY Times:  
> 
> "Announced tariffs against Chinese Solar panels are bad public policy that only hurt the industry they intend to serve. Chinese solar companies now mass produce the best solar modules in the world, with falling prices and improving technology. Commendably, they've been passing along those savings, which makes solar affordable for more people, benefiting everyone. Having failed to scale their own production and cut manufacturing costs, there are only a few US-based solar manufactures, with a tiny share of total US solar industry jobs. That's unfortunate, but tariffs won't build sustainable business for companies that fail to innovate. The main part of the solar industry has always been integration; and that's why protective tariffs do more harm than good. They create uncertainty where it matters most: to users and installers of solar power. Until this ill-fated policy is dropped, the mere threat of tariffs slows all investments in solar, and that hurts everyone." 
> 
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