Plan to attend Public Night at Solar Power International on October 13

Want to learn more about solar energy?  Have you ever thought about attending a solar conference?

There is a free event next week, October 13, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center at the  Solar Power International 2010.  The event’s Public Night is… you guessed it… open to the public!

Tons of information will be on hand with more than 1,100 exhibitions.  You can learn about solar technology, home solar power, attend free workshops, and even find out about solar jobs!  In past years, the SPI Public Night has brought more than 5,000 people to the conference to learn about solar technology and the future of renewable energy.

Brian Tully, executive director of Solar Energy Trade Shows, encouraged people to attend SPI 2010:

“Our annual Public Night is an important part of our show program, since it’s one of our biggest opportunities to educate the public about the benefits of solar energy.  We hope people leave Public Night with ideas about how to get involved, whether it’s using solar energy for their home or business, or getting a job in the growing solar industry.”

Learn about solar power at the SPI 2010 conference

Free educational workshops at Solar Power International 2010 will include:

• Solar Water Heating 101 for Homeowners
• California Solar Initiative Public Forum
• Solar Electricity 101 for Homeowners
• Climate Presentation, Problems and Solutions Based on “An Inconvenient Truth” and “Our Choice” by Al Gore

According to press releases, Solar Power International 2010 is the largest and most comprehensive business-to-business solar industry event in North America and the premiere destination for global and local solar companies conducting business in the U.S.  Over the course of 3 days – October 12-14, more than 27,000 attendees from 90 countries will attend to hear 200 industry speakers and many educational training workshops.

As a member of the public, you can get valuable solar power information at Public Night – for free!  Make plans now to attend Solar Power International 2010 on October 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The event is presented by the Solar Electric Power Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association, nonprofit groups based in Washington, D.C.  See www.solarpowerinternational.com for more information.

Is the gateway to the U.S. becoming blocked with tariffs on solar?

After more than 20 years of duty-free trade in solar panel imports, the U.S. Customs has decided to impose a 2.5% tariff.  What will this do to the solar industry in America, which has struggled to keep pace with European nations, like Germany and Spain.

Some people are not waiting to see what happens next.  According to Rhone Resch, the president of the Solar Energy Industries Association:

“We’re taking it very seriously and we will be responding. … The industry is in the process of preparing a challenge.”

The cost of the new tariffs and potential penalties could range over $70 million per year for U.S. importers of solar panels.  And why?  Concerns about global climate change should be easing – rather than increasing – restrictions with respect to obtaining solar energy.   And, considering the recent federal and state tax incentives which lower the cost of installing solar, why increase the tariff?  Isn’t that counter-productive?

If you are wondering what is behind the new fee, the New York Times reported last week that it may link back to a ruling by the U.S. Custom service in January that a panel made by Trina Solar of China was a generator because it contains a diode that allows electric current to pass around shaded areas of the panel.  Unusual?  No.  In fact, one industry official noted that the ruling was a surprise because:

“All solar panels contain bypass diodes and have forever. It’s a safety issue not to have them.”

Given the 35% tire tariff imposed on China several weeks ago and China’s vow to investigate U.S. poultry prices, it looks like this may be a continuation of the trade dispute between the two countries.  Or is it?  President Obama explains:

Lots of paperwork to be generated with respect to the U.S. solar tariff

So, what can the solar industry do with respect to the tariff?  Should American consumers be concerned?

The solar industry is fighting back, in fact.  Its first priority is to try to change the minds of officials at the Customs and Border Protection Headquarters.   After that, it may appeal to the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, if necessary.

Does this mean that you should wait to install solar panels on your home?  Absolutely not!  The current rift is between the U.S. and China.  It will not dramatically (if at all) impact solar panel prices here in America.  More importantly, it will not reduce the tax incentives and rebates available nationwide.

In fact, not everyone agrees that solar panel tariffs are a bad idea.  Mike Wessel, a commissioner on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission notes:

“Customs’ decision is the right approach to ensure that the domestic industry we have does not get run further into the ground by China’s efforts to dominate this industry.”

Clearly, U.S.-China relations are strained by trade issues and the current global economy.  Yet, I believe that solar will continue to be a bright spot for consumers in the U.S. – and worldwide.  And – I have to point out – a 2.5% tariff on solar is a far cry from the 35% tire tariff which made big news a few weeks ago.

Calling on all economists and business persons… what are your thoughts on the solar panel tariffs and other aspects of the U.S.-China trade dispute?

This could be you - working a solar job

Are you one of thousands of U.S. workers that has recently lost their job?  If you are in good shape and looking for a well-paying job (from $16-$30 an hour with benefits), you may want to consider getting a solar job.  You don’t need to have an advanced degree for many of the positions – simply a high school diploma and/or a certification from a trade school. Construction workers in particular would be well-suited for one of the thousands of solar jobs that are out there and the thousands more to be created in the near future.

The Solar Energy Industries Association released new figures last week which showed a 45% increase in solar panel installations from 2006 to 2007.  That is a huge jump for a single year!  What does this translate into as far as real solar jobs?  Consider these fast facts:

Number of U.S. Companies in the Solar Business:  Over 3,400

Current Number of Workers for such companies:  25,000-35,000

Industries Represented:  Solar panel and solar thermal collector installers, manufacturers, distributors, materials suppliers and project developers

Future Outlook:  By the year 2016, experts estimate that the number of solar jobs will climb to over 100,000!

You could be a solar panel installer

But these jobs are probably affected by the recession, right?  Not at all!  Many solar workers are putting in overtime hours regularly.  The Solar Center, a company in New Jersey is continuing to hire a new solar installer every month. Those that are drawn to solar jobs include former construction workers and people that want to make a difference for the environment.  In addition to laborers, college grads are flocking to solar jobs in order to move into design, supervision or management positions.

Even if homebuyers are not snapping up new homes right now, many homeowners are considering ways to improve the value of their home, cut energy costs and take advantage of tax incentives to go solar.  With rebates and other programs, the cost of installing solar panels can be cut by up to 2/3!  A system that might originally cost $60,000 to install, is a bargain at about $20,000.

Where can you find a solar job?  Check with your local Chamber of Commerce to see about solar industries in your area.  Here in Central Oregon, Cascade Sun Works and PV Powered are two companies that come readily to mind.  I have also researched some helpful links.  Check out:

• Solarjobs.com
• Solarjobsusa.com
• Solarjobs.us
• Greenjobs.com

Solar jobs can be a reliable source of income in these difficult economic times.  The industry is growing, and if you get a position now, you’ll have more seniority when things really turn around and demand for solar power increases to an even greater degree.

I wish you all the best in finding a new solar job this year!