OUR MISSION

• The true costs of conventional energy sources (coal, gas, nuclear) are understated because they do not include external costs that are paid for by taxpayers.
  
  
• Today is a new age where citizens are demanding accountability from corporations for their impact on the environment. Coal generation emits toxic chemicals such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and mercury which cause acid raid and contaminate our waterways. Coal is the oldest, dirtiest, and most impactful source of energy.
  
  
• The grid is overburdened and one of the great benefits of Solar PV is that in a case of a commercial or residential rooftop – there is no need for transmission. The grid of the future is a distributed generation portfolio which produces clean power without needing new high powered transmission lines.
  
  
• The True Energy Cost Coalition is a newly founded non-profit funded by Renewable Analytics and in the future, other contributors.
  
  
• The costs of solar power generation is overstated, and the benefits are understated. In Germany Solar PV is just 1% of total energy produced, yet it has created over 100,000 jobs and billions in exports. Germany has become the world leader in Solar PV plant development and Solar Production equipment.
  
  
• The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) was the reason for the successful growth of solar PV power in Germany. A FIT is quite simple: Instead of requiring a subsidy from a local, state or federal budget, the FIT mandates that the operating utility buy any solar power produced in its operating area. The power is to be purchased at a price per kilowatt hour (kwh) which enables the project developer to make an acceptable internal rate of return, typically 7-10%.
  
  
• The Solar PV installation process is fairly labor intensive, whether it be a field or rooftop installation. A FIT implemented in the US would create considerable job activity and in many cases fill the gap left by the collapse of the housing market. Many farmers in California are having problems getting the water needed for farming or grazing and are in danger of insolvency. A Solar FIT would be of great assistance in providing predictable cash flow for the land use.
  
  
• In order for states to pass legislation which is supportive of solar through Feed in Tariffs they first need to have white papers and reference materials which are reliable and accurate.
  
  
• The True Energy Cost Coalition will focus on researching and producing studies of the impact of Feed-in tariff. The focus of the white papers will be on the many positive economic benefits of solar which offset the cost which is today still more expensive than coal or natural gas energy production. Solar PV module prices will have declined by 70% from June 2008 to June 2010 which greatly impacts their marketability.