In the shifting landscape that’s shaken Hawaii’s solar industry lately, some welcome stability has arrived from the federal government.

Congress has just approved a five-year extension to a 30 percent federal tax credit for utility solar projects and residential solar systems, a credit that had been set to sunset at the end of 2016. (Hawaii still offers a 35 percent state tax credit for solar projects.) Also extended was a federal tax credit for utility-scale wind projects that was to expire at year’s end.

For Hawaii solar consumers, it was a holiday gift of sorts after a year of industry-squeezing setbacks.

NCAA shows no mercy to UH

Athletics officials at the University of Hawaii at Manoa learned the hard way just how unforgiving the NCAA can be.

The NCAA on Tuesday handed down harsh penalties against the men’s basketball team for ethical conduct violations by then-head Coach Gib Arnold and one of his assistants.

The team was placed on three-year probation, banned from postseason play for the 2016-17 season, and will be forced to reduce the number of scholarships it offers, among other penalties.

Never mind that UH, upon learning the NCAA was investigating the program, attempted to make things right by imposing corrective actions on itself, including firing Arnold.

Fair or not, the NCAA will not be denied its pound of flesh.