“As the Covid-19 crisis reaches new heights, we are grateful that Congress is putting American families and their safety and wellbeing first” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) in the letter. “This is a public health crisis that is affecting Americans on a personal and an economic level. We are also faced with a reality we can’t ignore: the solar industry could lose up to half its workforce as a direct result of Covid-19. At the end of 2019, 250,000 Americans in every state had a career in the solar industry. These are well-paying jobs that put food on the table and keep the lights on.”
Ms Ross Hopper added that the workers rely on the strength of the industry and that according to SEIA’s survey, some sectors in the solar industry could see a 50 percent reduction or more, up from BNEF’s estimate of 16 percent to 30 percent just a week ago.
“Today, more than 550 solar companies urged Congress to support our workers as part of any legislative stimulus package” Abigail Ross Hopper said. “As the stock market tanks, tax equity markets are drying up making it even harder for solar companies to utilize tools like the solar Investment Tax Credit. In addition to paid sick leave and small business support, Congress can provide immediate relief to solar families by allowing our companies to utilize the support Congress has already provided to the solar industry and make the Investment Tax Credit either refundable or payable directly to our businesses and customers.”
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