The Dark Ages Of Solar

Newsday, around 1983

The seventies were exciting time for solar energy. 14,000 solar water heating systems were installed on Long Island from the mid seventies to the end of 1985. On January 1, 1986 the tax incentives for solar were torn from the industry but not from the oil companies. The solar industry went away in a hurry leaving only a few of us to carry the torch. Only recently in 1999 with the introduction of the Solar Choice Act has solar made a comeback and the industry is now flourishing. While we are all enjoying new prosperity it is also a time to self police this industry and keep our standards as high as possible. Some may think that this industry has fully arrived but I believe that it is in its infancy and we all must protect it as we would a child.

I never want to see the fall of solar again. Once was enough for me.

Gary J. Minnick, Go Solar, Inc.