Early last December, congressed increased the mile-per-gallon driving standard to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Many climate scientists have marked 2020 a crucial year, and although the decision moves the United States closer to a standard already adopted by other countries, the new standard lags far behind the Japanese average of 45 miles per gallon. On the positive side, this decision creates incentives for fuel-efficient cars to make their way into the mainstream market of car buyers.

Other renewable energy incentives did not make it through Congress. Among these was the tax credit for homeowners and businesses with solar panel installations. The solar energy industry has the potential for driving job and economic growth.

The federal tax credit established in 2006 and set to expire in 2008 gave homeowners and businesses 30% or up to $2,000 for solar panel installations. The energy bill which passed the House but not Congress would have, according to SiliconValley.com, “improved and extended the credits - by eight years for businesses and six years for consumers. And it would have doubled the consumer benefit to $4,000.”

Clearly, we need a detailed and clear understanding of the economic benefits U.S. citizens would gain from investing in solar energy.

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