10 Significant State Policies for Distributed Solar Energy

California and New Jersey receive frequent coverage for the state policies that have helped them claim and hold onto the first and second spots, respectively, for US solar energy installations.

But there are other state programs worthy of emulation especially as smaller residential and commercial projects account for more US clean energy capacity.

Power policies needed to help promote renewable energy

Renewable energy needs help. Technological innovation has significantly reduced the cost of solar panels, wind turbines and other equipment, but renewable energy still needs serious subsidies to compete with conventional energy. Today, help comes mostly in the form of federal tax breaks.

These tax incentives, and the Congressional battle over extending them for wind projects beyond the end of this year, mean that other, more powerful policies to promote renewables are not getting the attention they deserve.

Iowa new state tax credit policy makes solar a better investment

There is, after all, something new under the sun -- a tax credit that energy companies and lawmakers say makes installing solar energy systems on homes and businesses an affordable investment.

"A lot of people have been looking at solar energy systems and now, with the state tax credits, they're starting to move forward," Brad Duggan, energy efficiency project manager at Van Meter Inc. in Cedar Rapids said Tuesday. "It makes solar ripe for the residential use. I think it will push the market."