CT Programmer

Trina Solar Looks Good, Though Market Yawns

Peppio is more right than he realizes. The REAL push for alternative energy is not coming from the Feds. It's coming from the states that are gradually increasing the percentage of "alternative" energy that utilities must use. These are called RPS's (Renewable Portfolio Standards) and 29 states have them in place, including my home state of CT. California is just getting on board with this. This is a good article regarding RPS's: seekingalpha.com/artic.... Not only that, but many states have tax incentives for home use of "alternative" energy. CT will subsidize a huge chunk of a solar system you put on your roof. BUT, even with the subsidy it still is 15 years before you break even. As traditional energy costs rise, the ROI equation changes and makes alternatives more enticing even at the household level. But as energy prices back off like they have done recently, it does hurt the alternative energy market. It is very closely linked, although more to natural gas and coal than to oil.