Stabenow, Camp on Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act

November 10, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and U.S. Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) today announced the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act. The bi-partisan legislation will provide a tax credit to support solar manufacturing here at home. These tax incentives will encourage more U.S. companies to produce solar equipment, creating jobs and investing in the clean energy economy. Senator Stabenow joined fellow Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) to introduce the legislation this week in the Senate. Congressman Camp will be introducing companion legislation in the House later this month.

“Michigan companies continue to lead the way in solar manufacturing, creating good-paying jobs and laying the foundation for 21 st century manufacturing,” said Stabenow. “As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I co-authored the first-ever tax credit for manufacturers of advanced technologies in the recovery act. This bill will provide additional tax credits for solar equipment manufacturers that will help us win the global race against China and other countries to produce solar technology in the clean energy economy.”

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“Michigan is fast becoming a leader in solar manufacturing, and this will further help this industry grow and create much needed jobs,” Camp said. “This solar credit will not only help create jobs but help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. As the author of the tax credit for the purchase of electric plug-in vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles, I have long championed incentives for the manufacture and use of alternative fuels.”

“Dow Corning has advocated a closer government-industry partnership for many months to encourage the growth of the U.S. solar industry,” said Stephanie A. Burns, chairman, P resident and CEO of the company. “We welcome the leadership of our legislators and their attention to attracting advanced manufacturing operations to this country.”

The United States is losing the global race for solar technology as other countries provide incentives to invest in solar manufacturing. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, the U.S. produced more than 40% of the word’s solar photovoltaic (PV) cells a decade ago. In 2008, the U.S. produced only 5% of the world’s solar cells. They estimate that the tax credits in this legislation will generate 315,000 new domestic jobs.

Currently, a 30 percent Solar Investment Tax Credit (SITC) exists for the investment in or installation of solar power technology. Under the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, equipment and facilities used to manufacture solar power technology would be added to the eligible property list for the SITC. These technologies include solar cells, silicon, evacuated tubes, and flat-plate solar collectors.

Source: Senator Debbie Stabenow