The head of the US’s solar trade body has called on the industry to unite against efforts to disrupt the country’s deployment of solar technology.
Speaking at the opening of Solar Power International in Chicago yesterday, Rhone Resch, chief executive of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), warned of the dangers of complacency in the face of attempts by utility companies and fossil fuel groups to check the progress of solar.
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With solar coming under growing pressure, Resch said it was the industry’s obligation to promote the “enormous societal benefits of using solar energy to the US economy”.
“You can be sure of one thing: if you don’t get involved and we as an industry don’t participate in a committed and shared effort, we will only make it that much easier for our critics and enemies to silence our roar,” he said.
Resch highlighted attempts earlier this year by the Edison Electric Institute, which represents utility companies, to single out solar as a major threat to its members in a report entitled ‘Disruptive Challenges’.
“EEI’s report singles out distributed generation and solar energy as its number one long-term threat. And since that report was published, utility CEOs around the country have been singing from the same song sheet – roll back net metering, institute fixed monthly charges for solar customers, protect us from consumer choice. They are aligned in their approach to dismantle net metering laws in this country,” Resch said.
Resch said that although 90% of the American public want to see more use of solar, the industry still faced some heavyweight opposition.
“From the Heartland Institute – funded in large part by the Koch Brothers – to the ultra-conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, groups all across the United States are lined up to oppose an expansion of solar energy.
“Simply put, our critics will do everything they can to make sure solar becomes nothing more than a footnote in history. We cannot let that happen. So buckle up and tighten your chin straps folks, we’ve got a lot of big challenges ahead of us.”
Resch said the SEIA was planning shortly to launch an ‘America Supports Solar’ campaign designed to “reach out and educate” key potential allies, such as members of Congress and the White House, state legislators and governors, regulators and commissioners.
“Nine out of 10 Americans support solar. We need to be shouting this from the rooftops and from every street corner,” he said.