Other Research

In 2008, The Solar Foundation (TSF) produced two critically important studies that analyzed the economic impact of federal tax policy on solar deployment, investment, and job growth. These studies proved to be influential in the decision to pass a landmark eight-year extension of the solar energy investment tax-credit (ITC). The extension was part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and is widely credited as critical to the continued growth of the domestic solar market.

The two studies produced by TSF were:

• "Economic Impacts of Extending Federal Solar Tax Credits”
• “Economic Impacts of Tax Credit Expiration”

In March 2009, we launched a campaign to educate the public about solar energy’s current and future contribution to employment and economic growth. The campaign featured an interactive Google Earth map that detailed solar job growth, economic investment, and job profiles across the nation; fact-sheets on solar jobs; and a downloadable solar-themed iGoogle homepage.

In December 2011, we published a discussion paper for the Inter-American Development Bank on renewable energy best practices in the U.S. and how they might be adopted by countries in Latin America. The purpose of the paper is to provide practical ideas that can be used throughout the Americas to increase public and private sector competitiveness. The paper was presented at the V Americas Competitiveness Forum in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on October 6, 2011.