Vermont Legislator Propose Bill to Encourage Installation of 10 Million PV Systems for Homes and Businesses

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate's green jobs subcommittee, introduced legislation on Feb. 5 with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

Sanders' bill would authorize rebates which, along with other incentives, would cover up to half the cost of the 10 million solar power systems and 200,000 water heating systems. Non-profit groups and state and local governments also would be eligible. The legislation would ensure that participating homeowners and businesses also receive information on incentives to improve energy efficiency. The measure is patterned after successful state programs promoting solar energy in New Jersey and California, where prices have fallen as the number of solar units increased. Details