The US in a manufacturing crisis, a quick search on the web will show the lack of American owned American-based solar manufacturing companies. In fact the US is manufacturing less and less of its own goods every year. It is estimated by some that only 7% of the clothing purchased the United States is made here. The production of electronics is much worse. This trend must reverse itself if our economy is truly going to recover.

Current solar incentive plans are no incentive to buy American!  This legislation must require that only American-made solar panels are included.  It is imperative that we put forth the necessary funding and build the necessary infrastructure to produce these panels at home. Our economy needs help, but not by throwing money away at failing institutions or rewarding people for buying overseas, but by providing jobs and producing goods here in our country that will make our country great economically once again.

This is not to say that in building leadership in the solar industry our country cannot begin to export these products across the globe, in fact that should be a logical result of becoming dominant in the solar industry.