Solar: A smart investment in America

Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy, employing 174,000 Americans and supplying half of the nation’s new electric power generation during the first six months of this year. Spurred by American innovation and smart tax policy that has leveraged nearly $100 billion in private investment, solar is an American success story.

That’s why Isaac Orr’s uninformed attack piece comes as such a surprise. Can The Heartland Institute truly be so out of touch with what is happening in America?

{mosads}Today, there are more than 8,000 solar companies operating in all 50 states – the great majority of them small businesses. Household names known for their business savvy decisions such as Walmart, Google, General Motors, Target, Costco, Johnson & Johnson and Dow Jones & Company, just to name a few,  are relying on solar energy today in increasing amounts. Why would The Heartland Institute oppose smart business decisions by American industry leaders?

Solar energy is helping boost our national security through energy diversity. The Defense Department has committed to use solar energy to secure our bases here at home, defending soldiers and sailors overseas. Just last week, the Navy announced the installation of solar at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay in Georgia to both protect our national security and lower its electricity bills. That’s right – contrary to the erroneous information in Orr’s op-ed, solar is more affordable than fossil-based power in many parts of the nation. Why would The Heartland Institute attack a domestic power source that’s increasing our national security and cutting our reliance on foreign energy sources?

American households from coast to coast are choosing solar, empowered by solar’s affordability and reliability. They’re knocking dollars off their energy bills, but more importantly, they’re exercising their freedom to choose solar. Why would The Heartland Institute fight against competition and quash American’s property rights in the process?

With solar jobs increasing, local economies empowered, national security boosted, small businesses flourishing, private capital flowing, solar prices falling, and more and more Americans of all economic classes choosing solar, why would The Heartland Institute complain of socialism when the solar industry is built on the backs of over a hundred thousand hard-working Americans?

The answer is simple. The few who are beholden to the fuels of the past don’t understand today’s America. As they watch their power sources slip away, they desperately and defensively attack to save themselves, not advance our country. Their heads buried so far in yesteryear, they’re blind to the remarkable advances in today’s economy and infrastructure.

But American’s aren’t. Just look around. Look at homeowners shaving energy bills. Look at small businesses hiring by the dozens. Look at Apple and Facebook relying on solar to power cutting-edge facilities. Take a good look around, Heartland. It’s sunny here in America.

Resch is president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association