The primary mechanism to accomplish this is through looking for ways to reduce the costs of installation. The Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative, which is incorporated by this bill seeks to reduce the installed costs of solar energy systems from $8/W cost in 2004 to $1/W in 2020, and thereby eliminating the need for any government subsidies for solar power.
The other aspect of this bill is to attempt to streamline local permitting process to simplify the process and reduce costs. Senator Sanders references one solar industry report that estimates permitting for solar installations cost around $2500. The bill authorizes grants for municipalities to simply by the permitting process by standardizing the regulations across jurisdictions or adopt best practice regulations for solar permitting.
The bill does not offer incentives to individuals or businesses that install solar panels. Instead, it seeks to create efficiencies that lower the cost of solar panels and thereby reducing the need for government subsidies.
Update 7/7/11: Senator Sanders is asking for your support on this legislation, and he suggest going here to do so http://www.seia.org/cs/contact_your_representative
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