• 31 Posts
  • 22 Comments
Joined 3 years ago
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Cake day: May 2nd, 2022

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  • It’s a bit more complex than that.

    Per the report, New York homeowners with an annual income of more than $50,000 are 2.5 times more likely to have rooftop solar than those making below $50,000, as those making below $50,000 often don’t pay enough income tax to fully claim the credit. Households making less than $50,000 annually make up 24% of owner-occupied houses in New York, but have only received 5% of residential tax credit subsidies.

    You are correct under ideal conditions in that

    The report also found that refundable tax credits could help shorten the gap. Refundable tax credits could help up to 63% of New York’s 1.4 million “energy-burdened” households and could cut the cost of solar for the average low-income household by 48%, from $98 to $51 per month.

    Unfortunately, however

    Around 25% of all New York homeowners make less than $50,000 a year, the report said, but they only installed 10% of solar projects between 2010 and 2022. However, solar installation rates do not increase as homeowner income does – households making $50,000 to $100,000 have the same installation rates as households making more than $200,000.






  • I don’t think it’s just you. It does seem a bit pessimistic / fatalistic at first glance, especially the headline, but it’s clearly a more complicated issue once you read through. You’re right, the issue isn’t solar energy but more about being careful about how it’s put to use and the impact thereof. If anything it shows the dangers of expecting capitalism to save us and issues we run into if we try to take the easy way out. We know the issue exists now so it’s more a question of what next.