In a Post-Tariff World, 5 Ways Solar is Still Key to Big Savings

We greet 2018 with a new tariff in place for all solar panels imported from outside the U.S. This development has prompted many prospective solar customers to ask about the impact of the tariff on the solar industry overall, as well as right here in Arizona.

The decision to add a tariff on solar panels is mind-boggling, especially when our planet desperately needs cleaner and more sustainable energy. Moreover, utilities continue to raise prices and find creative ways to parse billable energy into complex and less lucrative categories.

As you ponder these undeniable truths, rest assured that Sun Valley Solar Solutions has your back. After all, solar is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global energy industry–nearly 400,000 strong in the U.S. alone and growing exponentially.

So try not to panic! Here are five reasons why - despite the tariff - you shouldn’t hesitate to explore solar for your home or business:

1. We’ve been planning for this: Sun Valley Solar Solutions is part of a nationwide buying co-op of leading solar installation firms. When we became aware late last year that the tariff was possible, we worked with our partners to harbor enough pre-tariff panels to help ease the transition. We still have supplies of these panels available.

2. Utility rates are only going up: Utilities across the U.S. have big plans, none including a rate reduction. Currently, solar is the only viable way to leverage against the certainty of increasingly more expensive electricity. This is why global demand for affordable energy - specifically solar - remains strong. We don't see this changing anytime soon. 

3. As an independent dealer, we can pick our panels: Unlike many national installers that make their panels or are locked into exclusive distribution deals, Sun Valley Solar Solutions is free to select any panel that best addresses the needs of our customers. We have no "sacred cows" to protect. We are extremely flexible, and you are our highest priority. 

4. 30 percent tax credits are still in place: In 2015, Congress voted to extend the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) at a rate of 30 percent through 2019. The ITC incentive drops to 26 percent in 2020 and 22 percent in 2021 before vanishing or homeowners in 2022. Waiting for tariffs to lift could mean missing out on the highest tax benefit before it's gone. 

5. Momentum is at our back: The solar industry is an economic powerhouse. We generated $154 billion in economic activity in 2016 and employ more than 370,000 people across the U.S. alone. We have influence, manufacturing know-how, and a bright spotlight on the world stage. Our industry will find creative ways to offset this tariff through sheer business savvy and the natural economies of scale that come with rapid growth and innovation. Solar will be here tomorrow as surely as the sun will rise. 

If you’ve been considering switching to solar, now is the time to act! We invite you to contact one of our solar experts for a custom solar quote. If you aren't ready for a quote,  download our complimentary whitepaper: Is Solar Right for You?