Report: Public Policy Can "Light the Way" for Solar in Illinois
(Undated) -- While the availability of sunlight can make any state a solar leader, a new report emphasizes the importance of public policies that encourage solar power development. According to the Environment Illinois Research and Policy Center, the state’s progress on solar has added to the tripling of solar energy output nationwide between 2011 and 2013. Spokeswoman Lauren Shinaberry says in Illinois, it increased by four-percent. There are more than two-thousand solar-industry jobs in Illinois. The report confirms a link between strong public policies and greater solar output. Shinaberry says Illinois could follow the example of leading solar states by eliminating barriers to consumers "going solar," and providing financial assistance to expand it to any interested person, business, or agency.