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Policy Outlook 2012: Don't Expect Much From Washington

01.01.70

So what does this all mean for 2012?

Federal to State Focus Shift

Due to the uncertain political climate, the focus may change from building incentives at the federal level to individual states. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) plans to hone in on state markets, according to Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. "We are expanding into state policy...It's an election year, so we'll see limited work done by Congress. It will be very difficult for Republicans and Democrats to work together and push forward clean energy legislation. We have great opportunity at the state level."

Key states are expected to bolster growth throughout the U.S. California and New Jersey are obvious front-runners with their aggressive incentives, but innovative programs are popping up across the country.

"We really like what we are seeing in New York and Connecticut, [which] have not been traditional solar markets," said Robert Lahey, senior legislative analyst at Ardour Capital . Connecticut has established the first state-level "green bank." The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority will provide low-cost and/or increased financing to clean energy and energy efficiency projects. "We look for these states that haven't been markets in the past and become ones that can possibly serve as models in other states," said Lahey.

Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com