Stimulus Includes Solar Incentive, But Will it Be Enough for Struggling Solar Companies?

Amanda Peterka — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:46:08 +0000

Anyone who was impeded before by the cost of adding solar panels to their homes can now rest a little easier: The economic stimulus plan includes a federal tax credit worth 30 percent of the cost of a new solar system for a house. The cost, of course, is still high, but hey, more people will probably buy into it, won’t they?

But what if there are no more solar companies left? Publicly-traded green technology companies, like those that research and manufacture those costly panels, are being hit hard in the stock market and some are facing bankruptcy; it may take more than homeowner incentive to lift them up again. Because while homeowners may buy the systems now at the new prices, the question is: Will they buy enough to keep the companies afloat?

I took a look at a few of the public solar companies to see which, if any, have survived the recent stock market crash. The news doesn’t look too good.

Traditional Medicinals Completes World’s Largest Solar-Powered Tea Factory

Ariel Schwartz — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:47:03 +0000

I’m a huge fan of Traditional Medicinals tea, so I’m pleased to learn that the company has just completed the largest solar powered tea factory on the planet. Traditional Medicinals’ 70,000 square foot Sebastopol, CA headquarters will use 1450 solar panels that generate 430,000 KWh of power— that’s 75 percent of the company’s total energy needs. The rest of the factory’s energy use will be offset by wind energy credits.

Green Options » akeena

Stimulus Includes Solar Incentive, But Will it Be Enough for Struggling Solar Companies?

Traditional Medicinals Completes World’s Largest Solar-Powered Tea Factory