October 20, 2008 (New Orleans, LA)  Today, executives with New Orleans-based South Coast Solar, Louisiana’s leading provider of solar electric panels, solar hot water heaters, and solar pool heating products, announced that the Federal Government has dramatically improved the tax credit for residential solar energy systems. On Friday, October 3, by a vote of 263 to 171, the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic legislation that extends the 30-percent Federal Investment Tax Credit for both residential and commercial solar installations for 8 years. This landmark legislation is part of H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, designed to address the U.S. financial crisis.  It is the most significant federal policy ever enacted for the solar industry.

“Coupled with the fact that on January 1st, 2008, the State of Louisiana initiated one of the most forward-thinking renewable energy rebate programs in the country, providing a 50% tax credit for each renewable energy system for homeowners and multi-family apartments, Louisiana residents now have an historic opportunity to affordably integrate renewable energy systems into their residences” said Troy Von Otnott, President of South Coast Solar.  “The removal of the $2,000 cap on the Federal Investment Tax Credit, in addition to Louisiana’s 50% Tax Credit for residents and multi-family apartment owners, provides Louisiana residents an additional $5,500 in tax credits on a typical $25,000, 3kW residential solar energy system, which produces over 4,000 kilowatt hours annually of clean energy.  Once the resident is reimbursed by federal and state tax credits on their annual tax returns, the final cost of a 3kW solar energy system is $5,000.  An 80% combined tax credit is going to create a great deal of clean and green renewable energy in Louisiana,” said Von Otnott.

“Additionally, with no end in sight for upwardly spiraling fuel costs, worldwide automakers are re-tooling their manufacturing plants to soon offer an extensive lineup of electric cars.  This presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have a dual impact on carbon emissions from both your home and vehicle with the same solar system.  These important clean energy subsidies help level the playing field for environmentally responsible homeowners who want to address climate change and simultaneously save money at home and, in the near future, on the road”, said Scott Oman, Chief Technology Officer of South Coast Solar.

The utilization of green solar power for homes, businesses and automobiles will enable Louisianans to live, commute, work and play in a more environmentally responsible manner using less utility-generated energy, which for owners will translate into significantly lower energy bills.  South Coast Solar was recently tapped by Brad Pitt’s Make It Right NOLA Foundation to design, install and permit solar electric systems for the six Make it Right houses that have been completed to date.

The Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provisions will:
· Extend for 8 years the 30-percent tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations;

· Eliminate the $2,000 monetary cap for residential solar electric installations, creating a true 30-percent tax credit (effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2008);

· Eliminate the prohibition on utilities from benefiting from the credit;

· Allow Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) filers, both businesses and individuals, to take the credit;

· Authorizes $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.

In 2007, DOE named New Orleans one of 13 Solar America Cities to help accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level. A large part of the New Orleans’ comprehensive plan for the expansion of solar technology is teaching the technology and training a solar energy workforce. The LTC Jefferson campus is the sole provider of NABCEP approved solar electric system training in the New Orleans area.

About the Solar Electric System Training Course

The training course is a combination of lecture; hands on training; on-the-job training; real world solar applications; solar installation contractor training; National Electrical Code (NEC) information; explanations of The State of Louisiana and Federal tax credit incentives; and Louisiana solar installation contractor requirements.

The classes are very interactive and include much class participation. The “on-the-job-training” includes the complete installation of a fully functional Solar Electric system, from installing the solar panels on the roof to the balance of systems which are completely wired and functioning.  There is a total of two days of hands-on installation training that includes all materials and tools to do the job right.

This course teaches the NABCEP Photovoltaic (PV) Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge learning objectives, and has been approved by NABCEP.  Students that complete the class will qualify to take the NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge test.   The LCTN certificate of training, which all course graduates receive, will satisfy one of the requirements needed to be a solar system installation contractor in Louisiana.

Anyone interested in learning about or working in the solar industry or starting a solar energy company may attend this class. No particular skills are needed.  A construction background and/or electrical experience are helpful.

To register for the class, or for more information about the class, please call Stephen Shelton, director of LCTN, at (504) 343-4638 or visit the website at www.lacleantech.net <http://www.lacleantech.net> .

Background: Tax Credits, Partnerships Accelerate Solar Technology in Louisiana
The LTC Region 1 solar electric system training course offering is part of a statewide effort of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to help make it easier for Louisiana to go green. The system has formed a partnership with LCTN, a non-profit organization that works to promote the growth of clean technology businesses in Louisiana and to encourage environmentally responsible economic development. Together they are bringing solar technology installation training to Louisiana Technical College campuses.

These efforts come on the heels of 2007 legislation authored by Senator Nick Gautreaux. Senate Bill 90, which was signed into law as Act 371, provides a tax credit to homeowners and apartment owners who install or use certified solar energy systems. The tax credit has been called the best in the nation for those who use solar electricity systems in their homes. In order for more citizens to take advantage of this tax credit, more installers needed training but training in the state was not readily available.

The status of solar training availability in Louisiana gained momentum thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar America Initiative. In 2007, DOE named 13 U.S. cities as Solar America Cities. The partnership between DOE and these cities was created to help accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level, and New Orleans was one of the 13 cities chosen. A large part of the city’s comprehensive plan for the expansion of solar technology is teaching the technology and training a solar energy workforce.

DOE and LCTN looked to the LCTCS when searching for a place to conduct the training. The LTC Jefferson campus soon began offering the solar technology installation course, giving students hands-on experience in installing solar panels. The first Solar Installer Training course that began in June was a great success and produced 20 solar energy graduates in mid-July. At that time, there were only five individuals in the state that were certified solar installers. The second class in September produced 16 additional graduates.

The LTC Jefferson campus has become the sole provider of training in the New Orleans area, helping the city and DOE to achieve their vision by training installers that will work diligently to assist citizens in switching to renewable power sources.