So, it happened. Late on January 22nd, President Trump created a 30% import tax on solar panels. This is a step in the wrong direction, but a tax can’t stop the solar movement. We’ll get past this.
This is bad policy.
This tax is intended to make American solar more competitive, but the majority of the U.S. solar industry is in installation, with only around 10% of the 260,000 American jobs in manufacturing. With the tariff raising prices on imported panels, solar adoption overall will slow, and the installation sector will be severely impacted. There are better ways to support U.S. manufacturing of solar panels that don’t include the loss of thousand of U.S. jobs in solar installation.
More fundamentally, however, we need to be reducing our dependence on oil, coal, and other dirty fuels, not taxing solar. You wouldn’t turn away a firefighter when your home is burning, and we shouldn’t be slowing the solar industry when climate change is accelerating.
But we prepared for this.
Since last summer, SunCommon staff worked hard to let folks know this tax might be coming, and we’re proud to say we have helped hundreds of Vermonters go solar before the tax hit. And because we knew prices might go up, we filled our warehouse to the brim with solar panels — enough to help another 150 households go solar at pre-tax prices!
Bottom line: the tax won’t stop us.
This tax is a bump in the road to be sure — an artificial price inflation created by bad policy. Thankfully, it would take much more to halt an industry with the strength and experience the US solar industry has achieved.
The tax will increase pricing on residential solar systems by about 5%, a similar order of magnitude to the 10% incentive drop that Vermont installers faced this time last year. We’ll weather this, just as we have each drop on the solar-coaster, drawing on our trademark innovation, creativity, and hard work.
At SunCommon, we believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and brighter future — and renewable energy is where it starts. The President may have put some speed bumps in front of us, but he can’t stop our momentum. We’re here for the long haul. This is what we do.
How doing nothing costs more
We all know the best practices for managing – and minimizing – debt. Pay off any credit cards each month; put a little extra toward the mortgage to pay down that principal; get rid of any lingering student loans.
But how do we minimize debt that will never go away – like the electric bill? It may not feel like a debt, and yet — if we’re getting power from the grid — we’re on the hook for that bill, every month. A perpetual obligation.
The Real Cost of Electricity
It’s amazing how it adds up
Most New Yorkers tell us they spend $100-150/month on their utility bill. That’s $1500/year just on electricity. How much have you paid your power company 5, 10, 20 years down the line, as utility rates slowly, but steadily, rise?
While you crunch those numbers consider this: you’re never getting that money back. Ever.
Here’s an idea: rather than pay for electricity in perpetuity, wouldn’t it be nice if your monthly power bill was going toward building equity in a power system, for less than what you’re already paying?
Break Up with Your Utility
Taking control of your energy spending
Solar offers homeowners the ability to own their energy. By generating solar power at home, you are achieving both energy and financial independence.
Many finance their solar systems, effectively switching their monthly power expense from the utility bill to their solar payment for the period of the loan. Others are able to pay for their solar upfront. Either way, solar brings savings and predictability.
Plus, did you know that solar increases property values without raising taxes and sells homes 17% faster?
Solar pays for itself. All together, this makes it one of the easiest and highest ROI home improvement projects you’ll ever do.
Perpetual debt is replaced with perpetual power.
Cost of SunCommon Solar
We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and safer world – and clean energy is where it starts. Energy from the sun can power our lives, heat our homes, and fuel our cars. Our mission is to tear down the barriers to renewable energy. We do that by making it easy and affordable for all New Yorkers to go solar.
We are working to repower our beloved Empire State with clean energy one home, one business and one community at a time. We do that by offering no upfront cost, low interest financing with a local credit union. While solar isn’t new, it’s likely new to you. So, we’re here to help you make a smart financial decision for your future. From the design, to the financing, to flipping the switch on your very own home solar system, our team is with you every step of the way. It’s the neighborly thing to do.