Once upon an ITC cliff dreary, while the U.S. solar industry pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of political lore,
While the industry nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some bi-partisan legislation gently rapping at the industry’s door.
“Tis an extension,” the industry muttered, “maybe six months for those who started building —
Only this, and nothing more.”
Ah, distinctly as the industry remembered it was in the bleak end-of-2015
And each separate net metering and ITC challenge wrought its ghost upon the industry.
Eagerly the industry wished the morrow; — vainly it hoped for a last minute rescue
From its activities surcease of sorrow — sorrow for lost future deployment and revenue opportunities —
For the necessary ITC extension and fair net metering legislation —
Teetering on the brink for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each PUC, utility and congressional opining
Disrupted the industry — filled it with fantastic terrors it had forgotten it felt before
So that now, to still the beating of the industry’s heart, it stood repeating
“Tis some last minute respite entreating entrance at congress’s door —
Some late 2016 ITC extension passing through congress’s door;” —
Is this all the industry could hope for and nothing more?
Presently the industry’s soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
And to Congressional representatives and PUC commissioners it said “it is the health of the planet and the energy future for which we implore;”
But the fact is the industry had been napping, and so changes to crucial incentives came rapping,
And the realization that action was needed came tapping, tapping at the U.S. solar industry’s door,
That time scarce was sure it heard— and so the industry opened wide the door; —
To find lack of clarity there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long the industry stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams of a renewable energy driven future no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only words there spoken were the whispered words, “ITC extension? Fair and reliable net metering programs?”
This the industry whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “maybe!”
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into industry conferences and associations churning, all stakeholders in the industry burning,
Soon again the industry felt an anxiety somewhat harsher than before.
“Surely,” said the industry, “surely the potential loss of jobs will make a difference:
Let me see, then, what there at is, whether this aspect we can explore —
Let the industry act as one in this moment and this unity explore; —
‘Tis the responsibility of all solar industry participants and nothing more.”
New industry groups formed with disparate goals when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a moment of Clarity, which had appeared rarely in the days of yore;
But too much noise and differing goals surrounded it; too much panic confounded it;
And a lack of political clout and solidarity stayed it from the door ——
And so Clarity sat and waited for unity, sat and waited, and nothing more.
Differing goals, dire warnings and exaggerations abounded,
And industry participants were confounded.,
Meanwhile the clocked ticked down to the 2016 deadline and anxiety mounted—
While utilities added fees and net metering fell under stronger attack
And even traditional industry associations changed strategies and seemed unsure
And the U.S. presidential election threatened to stall all action as always before.
Previously certain of an ITC extension, large companies began to mention
Slower growth and potential layoffs, though to the recently executed strategies of these companies— little relevancy bore;
For the industry cannot help agreeing that past behavior continues repeating
And a last minute save of the ITC will instantly erase careful, conservative future planning, as it has before —
Thus we know one thing for certain, it is that the future is uncertain,
And will remain so, evermore.
