With the industry growing, the need for Hawaii's solar subsidies is fading

By Paul H. Brewbaker

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Sep 30, 2012

~~<p>Fifteen years ago, at $25 a barrel for petroleum (in today's dollars), I supported subsidies for installation of solar water-heating and photovoltaic energy systems. I wrote testimony. I met with legislators. I worked with bankers on financing strategies for Hawaii's solar industry. The case for subsidization then in some ways was similar, but at $100 a barrel for petroleum at least one thing is different today: Oil prices have quadrupled.</p>
<p>Hasn't the PV "infant industry" grown up, yet?</p>
~~

Fifteen years ago, at $25 a barrel for petroleum (in today's dollars), I supported subsidies for installation of solar water-heating and photovoltaic energy systems. I wrote testimony. I met with legislators. I worked with bankers on financing strategies for Hawaii's solar industry. The case for subsidization then in some ways was similar, but at $100 a barrel for petroleum at least one thing is different today: Oil prices have quadrupled.