Let your example be the way to change others’ lives. Reform yourself and you will reform thousands.
-Yogananda
This past Sunday, the United States Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act. Democratic lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. On Tuesday the 16th the bill was passed by President Joe Biden. The IRA’s $369 billion for clean energy and energy security represents the largest federal investment in combating the climate crisis in U.S. history.
The legislation is forecast to reduce domestic emissions 40 percent below 2005 levels by the end of this decade, provided the private sector and other parts of the economy continue to reduce emissions at a reliable rate. The bill passed 220 to 207. Every House Democrat voted for the bill.
The Investment Tax Credit has been increased from 26% to 30% and may now be transferred or sold to other taxpayers. The 30% applies to both business and residential projects, including projects installed in 2022, and will last until the end of 2032.
Energy storage projects were previously ineligible for tax credits unless they were connected directly to solar power projects. The Inflation Reduction Act removes these requirements and allows energy storage projects to receive the same 30% tax credit, even if they are stand-alone facilities. Batteries connected to a solar power project will continue to qualify for the credit, even if they are no longer being charged by solar power. Interconnection costs are included in the tax credit, for projects smaller than 5 MWac.
For projects of more than 1 MWac and above, should pay attention to employment requirements. By default, the tax credit is 6%. To be eligible for the additional 24%, laborers and mechanics installing the solar power projects must be paid prevailing wages and part of an electrical apprenticeship program. These tax credits will begin to apply to projects in 2023.
Additionally, there are requirements for the ratio of apprentices to journey workers, specified by the Department of Labor or the applicable State apprenticeship agency. Contractors or subcontractors who employ more than four individuals performing construction, alteration, or repair work must employ at least one qualified apprentice to perform such work.
Solar power projects eligible for the full 30% tax credit can increase their tax credit by an additional 10% – to 40% in total – by purchasing domestically produced hardware. Per the document, 100% of steel and iron must be manufactured in the United States. For manufactured goods – like solar panels, inverters, and electrical gear – the goods must initially be 40% manufactured in the US, though this percentage will increase in the future.
Historically, for goods to be classified as Made in the USA, they must be composed of at least 55% domestic content. The bill lists some exceptions to these requirements. Items that are not of satisfactory quality, or are not produced in sufficient quantities, may be imported. Items that would increase the project cost by greater than 25% may be sourced outside the US as well. These requirements, and exceptions, will apply to all project sizes.
In closing again the solar energy industry is on a trajectory to solve climate change at the fastest pace of any country in the world. Again, showing the US is a leader in helping the planet to be a better place to live for future generations, not only us.
Robert is in Cambodia to learn present pricing firsthand to ensure you and your team are updated on module availability and market trends. I will be going to Cambodia and Vietnam from August 14 to the end of the month. First, I wanted to check if you are looking for more modules. I am meeting with several Tier 1 manufacturers to lock down modules for my customers.
If you require any modules, please let us know. Here is some of the stock we have remaining. Also, if there is a specific panel, let us know, and we will do our best to find it for you.
ZnShine Mono Perk BoB (residential)
400-405W – 10MWs containers available in five weeks
JA bifacial (commercial/utility)
445/450W – MWs available – east and west coast
Canadian bifacial (commercial/utility)
445/450/455 East 475/480W/485W West – MWs available
HaiTai bifacial (commercial/utility)
540-555W – MWs East or West coast
Heliene (commercial/utility)
540W MWs available after September 2022
I do have three other options with Rayzon, FutureSolar, and Alpex. All three companies we planned to meet in Asia and work together before COVID. But unfortunately, when COVID happened, we were unable to visit. Yet, I sold modules for them, and we are working on getting them Tier 1 status with Bloomberg. We will be visiting the above companies in Asia from August 14th until the end of the month.
At Unicorn Solar, we appreciate your interest in our company and would appreciate it if you give us some feedback on your thoughts about our services. So please go to the following link https://bit.ly/USD-DRP. It should take less than 30 seconds.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Karlita or Robert; we will be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Robert W Benedict III
Unicorn Solar Development, Inc.
Phone 916-284-8841
8002 Avanti Dr, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762