- Congress recently passed an 8-year extension of Solar Energy Investment Tax Credit, lifted cap on tax credit for residential investments in solar technology -

Mt Kisco, NY – After rolling up his sleeves and helping to install a solar panel system at the Rippowam Cisqua School today, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) announced significant increases in solar energy tax credits for both investors in and consumers of solar technology. These new solar tax credits were recently passed by Congress and are now law. Hall was joined by Rippowam Cisqua Head of School Eileen F. Lambert and Barrett Silver of Mercury Solar Systems, the company installing the school's solar power system, to discuss the local use of solar energy and the related benefit of these new tax credits.

"Renewable energy technology is vital to any policy that will break America's addiction to foreign oil, create green jobs here at home and protect our environment," Hall said. "I've always believed individuals can come together and make a big impact on the world around them. That spirit has clearly been embraced by the Rippowam Cisqua Greening Team and today's solar installation is a perfect example. Issues like energy independence and climate change are certainly huge, but it’s the committed, individual efforts like these that will help us meet them."

Hall recently helped Congress pass financial rescue legislation that included a significant expansion of tax credits available for both investors in and consumers of solar energy technology. The bill, which is now law, extends the solar energy investment tax credit for solar technology producers by eight years. It also removes the $2,000 cap on tax credits for residential investments in solar energy, allowing for home-owners who install solar panel systems to now claim an uncapped tax credit on the cost of the solar projects.

"These new and sweeping tax credits will help bring solar energy technology, which is a rapidly growing but still relatively small source of electricity in America, into more mainstream use," said Hall. "Here in the Hudson Valley, the Rippowam Cisqua School has shown the viability of employing solar energy technology on a local level."

Utilizing solar panels as part of a campus-wide initiative to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, Rippowam Cisqua's solar system will produce a third of the school's electricity needs and reduce its carbon emissions by more than 618 tons over the course of its lifetime.

J. Jared Haines, President of Mercury Solar Systems, can attest to the growing importance of solar energy production and adoption. "With a helping hand from Congressman Hall today, as well as the environmental support that he has given throughout his career, we are confident that today's installation can serve as an inspiration for schools, not-for-profit institutions, corporations, and home owners across the 19th district to help us make solar energy a major part of our future," Haines said.

"The Rippowam Cisqua School is committed to raising the next generation of American leaders. As such, we believe it is imperative for us to teach our students about the taking care of the planet and all its inhabitants," said Eileen F. Lambert. "We believe that we can be a powerful force for positive change."

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