Social justice and climate justice are undeniably intertwined. However, it wasn’t until 2009 when then-President Barack Obama put forth the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which committed to ensuring that every American family can choose to go solar and cut their energy bills, that any legislation was put forth to acknowledge the lack of parity between income and the ability to live greener. The legislation not only recognized the vital role that solar plays in our clean energy future, but also ensured that underserved populations has the right to access this technology. This was a huge victory for the solar industry and a major step forward for our country’s transition to clean energy.
Financial Access to Solar Energy
Solar energy is a renewable resource that can provide benefits to both the individuals using it and the environment on a global scale. Equal access to this resource is important to promote economic and social justice as well in order to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean energy sources. Additionally, solar energy has multiple positive implications for our planet, such as helping reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increasing Energy Independence and combatting Climate Change. Solar energy helps us achieve goals in all these areas while simultaneously providing properties with an efficient, sustainable source of power.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Explained
Part of the Recovery Act was created to provide low-income and underserved communities with access to low-cost solar energy. This act ensures that these communities can benefit from reduced energy costs, which can help households save money in the long run. Low-income households are often unable to access renewable energy resources due to their low discretionary income; the Recovery and Reinvestment Act helps by providing low-cost solar electricity to those communities so they can participate in the clean energy revolution. The objectives of this act are commendable and should be implemented nation-wide so as to make more people aware of the advantages of using solar power for generating low-cost electricity.
Growth of Solar Energy creates jobs and promotes economic development
Since 2009, the solar job market has undergone drastic growth, especially in the last decade. With more and more industries turning to solar energy as a source of power, job opportunities in the sector has skyrocketed, offering new opportunities for employment. Solar energy job training programs and solar energy job expansion are continuously being developed to support this growth. Job seekers are finding great success developing careers in solar energy. As the solar energy job market strengthens, so does economic development through increased spending on products and services associated with the solar industry; a growing workforce leads to lower dependency on other jobs in the fossil fuel industry. As a result, the continuing expansion of solar energy is boosting job growth and providing building blocks for enduring economic development.
Solar energy reduces reliance on utility inflation and combats climate change
Solar energy provides an increasingly viable option for both dramatically reducing monthly utility bills and combatting climate change. It harnesses power from the sun to save on monthly utility bills while helping to cool off our planet. With new government incentives such as the Inflation Reduction Act, that make solar installation cost-efficient, it’s no surprise that this particular renewable energy source is in high demand. Solar energy gives consumers at every income level the opportunity to save on monthly energy costs without hurting our environment.
Increased tax credits to low-income households promotes energy efficiency
The Inflation Reduction Act is an innovative legislation that seeks to provide economic relief to low-income households, particularly through improved energy efficiency. Signed into law in 2022, this legislation increases tax credits for property owners who upgrade their homes with energy-saving features such as insulation and energy efficient appliances. This legislation provides larger incentives for lower income families when making their homes more energy efficient. This legislation serves to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King by making solar energy accessible to underserved communities. This results in a reduction in monthly utility bills and provides financial relief for the citizens who are most vulnerable in times of economic hardship. With the passage of this legislation, we move one step closer to achieving Martin Luther King’s dream of equality and justice for all.
“It really all boils down to this: that all of life is interconnected.” – Martin Luther King Jr. Christmas Eve Speech 1967
Geoscape Solar has been a trusted company in the solar industry for 15 years. Read the reviews from our satisfied clients who are permanently saving money on their utility bills month after month. To discover more, contact Geoscape Solar now to explore how you can expand your economic and sustainable futures. Geoscape Solar offers financing that fits any budget.
