Solar credits

There is a 30% tax credit on the cost of solar panels installed on a personal residence. This credit only applies to taxes that are owed. About half of all taxpayers do not pay tax so they get nothing from this plan. If you owe $9,000 in taxes you can install solar panels costing $30,000 and pay zero tax. You can sell back any excess electricity to the power company which reduces their profits. In areas that get lots of sun this means the power companies will raise the rates to compensate for this loss. In straight talk this means that low-income people will be subsidizing the wealthy people. This is another example of the unintended consequences of good intentions.