Tom Udall: “solar power increases energy security for American military installations and our troops in the field. With solar power…”

“solar power increases energy security for American military installations and our troops in the field. With solar power, our military is less dependent on the surrounding electricity grid or fuel supplies for generators. As a result, the Department of Defense is a leader on utilizing solar power--not for environmental reasons, but for energy security reasons. However, if we are going to use taxpayer funds to support military solar power--which also qualifies for federal solar tax incentives--we must provide a level playing field for U.S. solar manufacturers in the contracting process. Last year's Defense Authorization bill took an important step, by clarifying that DOD's Buy American Act requirements apply to solar. Previously, when solar was installed on DOD property, Buy American would not apply because DOD purchases the power, not the panels. DOD uses that arrangement for two reasons--first, it spreads the cost out through long term power purchase agreements instead of up-front costs; second, it allows the project to use tax credits DOD cannot use. While last year's bill attempted to fix this situation, it left two loopholes. First, the Buy American requirements from last year's bill are limited ``to the extent that such contracts result in ownership of [solar] devices by DOD.'' The nature of power purchase agreements means that often this requirement is not fulfilled, thus allowing Chinese solar makers to undercut bids for DOD funded solar projects.…”