To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Solar jobs a million
Solar Jobs a Million
Petition to our federal law makers
Create a million private sector jobs and other benefits by providing a 20 year federal interest free loan to 60 million willing homeowners, specifically to purchase a domestic solar water heating system. Any homeowner can participate because no up-front money required. This will save homeowners 25% energy bills which would be at least double the loan payment. Homeowners make money immediately, the benefits increase over time as non-solar energy costs inflate, and government payback is guaranteed.
This common sense idea is different. It provides a way for any homeowner to use free solar energy to stimulate the economy, from the bottom up, through savings instead of spending.
Based on 75% participation (60 million homeowners) and five hours average sunshine per day, calculated benefits are enormous.
Create over a million jobs (impact would start immediately)
Create thousands of solar related companies (long term commitment guaranteed)
Save homeowners over ¼ energy bills ($24 billion each year)
Offset power consumed by over 11 million homes (no utility power increase needed for new home construction for years)
Offset 123 power plants of 250 megawatts each (allows retiring our dirtiest plants)
Lower yearly coal consumption by 137 megatons (one-eighth US output) –
(equivalent to 490 million barrels of oil each year) –
(equivalent to 67% of Strategic Petroleum Reserve each year)
Save 150 million tons CO2 pollution each year (equivalent to removing 25 million cars)
Help reduce global warming (year 2012 one of the hottest on record)
Reduce national debt (economic stimulus and greater long term investment return)
Start a culture of real solar energy use as our economics and environment demand
To appreciate the merits of this idea, it is first necessary to iterate a few facts. (1) There are over 80 million single family homeowners in the US, yet less than 1% use solar as a free energy source. (2) Heating water accounts for over 1/4 of a homeowner’s domestic energy bill, costing $43 billion each year. (3) The sun produces heat directly, not electricity. That is why solar thermal (heat) panels are 7 times more efficient, cost 10 times less and use 7 times less space than solar photovoltaic (electric) panels. (4) Solar water heating systems work in every climate no matter in which state you may reside.
Because of these facts, solar water heating should be the first solar endeavor any homeowner would undertake. Providing government incentive money alone to entice homeowners to “go solar” does not work because individuals are left on their own for the up-front money to have a system installed. Most cannot afford it and/or do not realize the benefit. At the same time, it is paramount that participation be high in order for solar energy to have a significant impact. That is why it is extremely important to have a long term national program that provides the means for any homeowner to participate.
System costs range from about $2,500 to $10,000 depending on size, location and contractor. Maximum loan could be set at $10,000. Payback for any loan amount would be based on a 20 year maturity with once a year payment, accomplished by a line item entry on federal tax return. If the home is sold, the loan would be transferred to the new homeowner through the closing process.
Example: For a family of four, a $4,300 system, after 30% federal tax credit, costs about $3,000. Divide $3,000 by 20 produces a $150 payment once a year for 20 years while expected savings would be $300 to $500 per year in today’s money. It is important to remember that these savings will increase over time as non-solar energy costs inflate.
No matter how you figure the economics, government agencies, private agencies and solar companies all agree that a domestic solar water heating system will pay for itself in less than 10 years. Therefore a 20 year loan will insure payments of less than 1/2 the savings. Unlike the other stimulus programs which provide temporary relief with no payback, this loan program “guarantees payback and lasting benefits.”
Here is how the process would work: The homeowner applies for federal authorization which includes a tracking number. Then he would get three bids for a solar water heating system. The selected contractor gets local building permit, completes the work and calls for inspection. Once inspection passes, the contractor invoices a federal agency for direct payment. The agency then subtracts any incentive money due the homeowner and treats the remainder as a no-interest 20 year loan. The no-interest feature is more than offset by the economic stimulus created.
The people are begging for a “common sense” way they can personally contribute to the wellness of our society. At the same time, there is a sea of roofs out there, doing nothing, but baking in the sun. And every day, we hear we must use less energy and create jo...
Petition to our federal law makers
Create a million private sector jobs and other benefits by providing a 20 year federal interest free loan to 60 million willing homeowners, specifically to purchase a domestic solar water heating system. Any homeowner can participate because no up-front money required. This will save homeowners 25% energy bills which would be at least double the loan payment. Homeowners make money immediately, the benefits increase over time as non-solar energy costs inflate, and government payback is guaranteed.
This common sense idea is different. It provides a way for any homeowner to use free solar energy to stimulate the economy, from the bottom up, through savings instead of spending.
Based on 75% participation (60 million homeowners) and five hours average sunshine per day, calculated benefits are enormous.
Create over a million jobs (impact would start immediately)
Create thousands of solar related companies (long term commitment guaranteed)
Save homeowners over ¼ energy bills ($24 billion each year)
Offset power consumed by over 11 million homes (no utility power increase needed for new home construction for years)
Offset 123 power plants of 250 megawatts each (allows retiring our dirtiest plants)
Lower yearly coal consumption by 137 megatons (one-eighth US output) –
(equivalent to 490 million barrels of oil each year) –
(equivalent to 67% of Strategic Petroleum Reserve each year)
Save 150 million tons CO2 pollution each year (equivalent to removing 25 million cars)
Help reduce global warming (year 2012 one of the hottest on record)
Reduce national debt (economic stimulus and greater long term investment return)
Start a culture of real solar energy use as our economics and environment demand
To appreciate the merits of this idea, it is first necessary to iterate a few facts. (1) There are over 80 million single family homeowners in the US, yet less than 1% use solar as a free energy source. (2) Heating water accounts for over 1/4 of a homeowner’s domestic energy bill, costing $43 billion each year. (3) The sun produces heat directly, not electricity. That is why solar thermal (heat) panels are 7 times more efficient, cost 10 times less and use 7 times less space than solar photovoltaic (electric) panels. (4) Solar water heating systems work in every climate no matter in which state you may reside.
Because of these facts, solar water heating should be the first solar endeavor any homeowner would undertake. Providing government incentive money alone to entice homeowners to “go solar” does not work because individuals are left on their own for the up-front money to have a system installed. Most cannot afford it and/or do not realize the benefit. At the same time, it is paramount that participation be high in order for solar energy to have a significant impact. That is why it is extremely important to have a long term national program that provides the means for any homeowner to participate.
System costs range from about $2,500 to $10,000 depending on size, location and contractor. Maximum loan could be set at $10,000. Payback for any loan amount would be based on a 20 year maturity with once a year payment, accomplished by a line item entry on federal tax return. If the home is sold, the loan would be transferred to the new homeowner through the closing process.
Example: For a family of four, a $4,300 system, after 30% federal tax credit, costs about $3,000. Divide $3,000 by 20 produces a $150 payment once a year for 20 years while expected savings would be $300 to $500 per year in today’s money. It is important to remember that these savings will increase over time as non-solar energy costs inflate.
No matter how you figure the economics, government agencies, private agencies and solar companies all agree that a domestic solar water heating system will pay for itself in less than 10 years. Therefore a 20 year loan will insure payments of less than 1/2 the savings. Unlike the other stimulus programs which provide temporary relief with no payback, this loan program “guarantees payback and lasting benefits.”
Here is how the process would work: The homeowner applies for federal authorization which includes a tracking number. Then he would get three bids for a solar water heating system. The selected contractor gets local building permit, completes the work and calls for inspection. Once inspection passes, the contractor invoices a federal agency for direct payment. The agency then subtracts any incentive money due the homeowner and treats the remainder as a no-interest 20 year loan. The no-interest feature is more than offset by the economic stimulus created.
The people are begging for a “common sense” way they can personally contribute to the wellness of our society. At the same time, there is a sea of roofs out there, doing nothing, but baking in the sun. And every day, we hear we must use less energy and create jo...
Why is this important?
Everyone uses hot water for bathing, cleaning, etc, yet less than 1% of homeowners use solar energy to heat that water. This low participation is costing 80 million homeowners about $43 billion each year. This petition is to our federal lawmakers to provide a 20 year loan to any willing homeowner to purchase a solar water heating system with no up-front money required. The savings would be double the loan payment. In other words homeowners make money even during the payback period.
Based on 60 million homeowners and 5 hours of sunshine per day, some of the benefits include creating a million jobs, save homeowners over 1/4 electric bill, lower coal consumption by 1/8 US yearly output, reduce CO2 pollution equal to removing 25 million cars, offset 120 power plants of 250 megawatts each. This will start a culture of real solar energy use as our economics and environment demand.
Based on 60 million homeowners and 5 hours of sunshine per day, some of the benefits include creating a million jobs, save homeowners over 1/4 electric bill, lower coal consumption by 1/8 US yearly output, reduce CO2 pollution equal to removing 25 million cars, offset 120 power plants of 250 megawatts each. This will start a culture of real solar energy use as our economics and environment demand.