Eight (8) Year Solar Tax Credit Extension signed into Law.

Eight (8) Year Solar Tax Credit Extension signed into Law.

Today, by a vote of 263-171, the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic legislation that extends the 30-percent federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations for 8 years.

This landmark legislation is part of H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, designed to address the U.S. financial crisis. It is the most significant federal policy ever enacted for the solar industry. President Bush has already signed the bill into law.

The solar tax credit provisions will:

· Extend for 8 years the 30-percent tax credit for both commercial and residential solar installations;

· Eliminate the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations, creating a true 30-percent credit;

· Eliminate the prohibition on utilities from benefiting from the credit;

· Allow Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) filers, both businesses and families, to take the credit; and

· Authorize $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.

National Solar Tour offers 'Economic Lifeline' to safeguard families and businesses against skyrocketing energy costs in shaky economy

National Solar Tour offers 'Economic Lifeline' to
safeguard families and businesses against
skyrocketing energy costs in shaky economy
The largest grassroots solar event in history kicks off this weekend
in 49 states, with up to 150,000 participants across the U.S.
Contact:Neal Lurie, American Solar Energy Society 303.443.3130 x105,

nlurie@ases.org

this Saturday, October 4 (in most locations)
Additional Details

www.NationalSolarTour.org

BOULDER - 10/2/08 - Record numbers of families and businesses looking to protect themselves against soaring energy costs and a volatile economy will find a sunny, new approach this weekend.

The 13th annual National Solar Tour kicks off in 49 states and nearly 3,000 communities across the U.S., showing participants how to go solar and harvest free energy from the sun while saving money on monthly utility bills. The National Solar Tour features property-owners who open their doors to neighbors to share how they are using the latest solar and energy efficient technologies as an 'economic lifeline' to safeguard against energy price spikes and a shaky economy.

As many as 150,000 participants are expected this year, making this the largest grassroots solar event in history. This event is coordinated nationally by the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) in partnership with dozens of solar organizations.

"The National Solar Tour highlights how families and businesses are using solar energy to protect themselves against skyrocketing energy costs," said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing for ASES. "Participants come in curious, but they leave convinced ready to go solar."

The National Solar Tour will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2008 in most locations in conjunction with National Solar Energy Awareness Month, which is October. Specific tour dates and times are at the official National Solar Tour listings webpage at:

www.ases.org/SolarTour

Tour participants get candid answers to questions about solar energy as well as on energy bill savings, costs, incentives, installations, and lessons learned from thousands of property owners on the National Solar Tour, including personal insight from:

A 60-something Boston couple who tapped into renewable energy to 'Beat the Street' - instead of investing a chunk of their retirement savings in the stock market, they have invested in solar and are now seeing higher returns on their money than if they'd invested in Wall Street

A newlywed couple from Chicago who found a way to go solar in a condo - and they even used their wedding gift registry to help pay for the solar system

· A 3rd generation oilman from Oklahoma who's now a champion of solar energy

· A two-tour Iraqi war veteran disillusioned with fighting a war for oil who's now obtaining his PhD in physics to fight in the renewable revolution - the war for energy independence

· An 80-something year old Arizona couple who added solar panels to their home - and their golf cart


In addition to helpful neighbor-to-neighbor discussions about solar energy -- and seeing the technology up close -- National Solar Tour participants receive the SOLAR TODAY Get Started 2009! guide with tips, information, and insight about solar water heating, photovoltaic electricity, residential wind power, ground-source heating and cooling, energy efficiency, and a list of 1650 energy system installers.

The National Solar Tour changes how Americans look at their energy choices.

According to survey results from last year's National Solar Tour, 76% of participants said they are definitely or very likely to invest in solar or energy efficient technology after the Tour, compared to less than 50% before the Tour. A stunning 74% of participants indicated that they had never visited a solar or green-built home prior to this event. Last year's National Solar Tour attracted more than 115,000 people in 2,900 communities in 46 U.S. states.


ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY:
For more than 50 years the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has been leading the renewable energy revolution. ASES is the nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies across the U.S. ASES leads national efforts to promote solar energy education, public outreach, and advocacy -- and coordinates the National Solar Tour. www.ases.org

ASES Action Alert: Big Day for Wind Power

ACTION ALERT:
Contact Congress to extend the Solar Tax Credits If you make only one call this year, this is the one

Dear Solar Supporter,

Congress is set to vote on the solar tax credits TONIGHT in the U.S. Senate and then in the U.S. House.

We need your immediate help to extend the solar tax credits. Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will extend the solar residential and commercial Investment Tax Credits for eight years and will remove the monetary cap. Now is the time to act.

Even though the Senate votes first, the biggest battle will likely be in the House. If you make only one call to Congress this year, calling your Representative is the one to make. Your call is key to keeping the solar tax credits in this bill and getting them passed.

TAKE ACTION:
Contact your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives now to urge him or her to "Extend the Investment Tax Credit by voting YES on the Senate Stabilization Bill."

Reinforce that they need to support solar energy to get your vote in November.

Find your Congressperson's Washington phone number here (just add your zip code) or contact the switchboard at Congress: 202.225.3121.

Please take action now and spread the word.

With sincere thanks,

Brad Collins
Executive Director
American Solar Energy Society

P.S. Your call is urgently needed to help increase the use of solar energy and generate the green-collar jobs needed to get the U.S. economy back on track. Thanks for your ongoing support. Your call makes a difference.