The Norwegian government announced yesterday that it is giving a 37 percent boost to funding for renewable energy projects, citing a large increase in the number of project proposals. Meanwhile, U.S. environmentalists wish their government had the same foresight. Arizona averages more than 300 sunny days a year, but people working in the solar industry say that’s not enough to give solar energy the boost it needs to go big time in the state. More tax breaks and government incentives are necessary, they say. A bill in the Arizona House would extend one tax exemption to contractors who install solar devices in homes. Solar advocates also hope that new technology will bring down the cost of solar energy systems.
