Function

• A rebate plan is detailed that would pay participants by the watt. The sliding payment scale begins at $1.75 per watt in 2010, decreasing to 50 cents per watt in 2019 for photovoltaic collectors on roofs. The planned rebate for solar water heating systems would be $1.00 for every thermal-watt generated by the system.
  
  

Considerations

• The total rebate would be limited to 50 percent of the consumer's cost after deducting federal, state and local incentives, as well as tax credits. The rebates would be available to homeowners, businesses, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
  
  

Benefits

• Along with decreasing dependence on, and use of, fossil fuels, solar energy is a job-generating field. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 24 jobs are supported by each megawatt of distributed solar installed annually.