October 22, 2009

Contact: Kristen Bossi

(202) 225-4476

WASHINGTON, DC - As the House of Representatives considered legislation to streamline federal research into solar energy today, Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) secured passage of an amendment to promote domestic manufacturing and job creation in solar panel components.  Currently, the vast majority of essential solar electronics - including inverters, charge controllers, and energy monitors - are manufactured overseas in nations like Germany, Austria, and Canada. Apollo Solar, a leading solar electronics company in Bethel, asked Murphy to bring this issue to the attention of Congress so that American companies can better compete in this expanding market.

"Solar panels can't work without the electronic components that connect them to your home and the electricity grid.  Any federal investment in solar energy has to include incentives for companies like Apollo Solar that are making the electronics that make solar panels work.  This amendment makes sure that companies like Apollo right here in Connecticut can continue to grow and thrive," said Murphy.

Murphy's amendment specifically ensures that the solar power research, development, and deployment programs managed by the federal government will include related "smart grid" electronic components, including inverters, charge controllers, and energy monitors.  These essential components help make solar energy systems work, turning solar energy into electricity for immediate use or storage. The devices help manage a solar panel's output and improve power grid reliability, managing energy use "smartly" to maximize efficiency and cost savings.

John Pfeifer, CEO of Apollo Solar, stated: "Chris Murphy understands the tremendous potential that solar power represents for the future of energy independence for America.  This new bill provides the means to add thousands of jobs for US companies who are struggling to catch up to the rest of the world.  We may not be able to get a level playing field this late in the game, but the US companies need all the help we can get from our government to match what Germany provided starting a decade ago.  The smart grid is a specific need in the USA and the solutions should be provided by US companies."

In late July, Apollo Solar was given a $1.5 million federal contract, a portion of which comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), to develop commercial ready solar power technology for the nation.  Murphy advocated for the funding in a letter to the Department of Energy in June. 

"We are doing everything we can to find domestic sources to power our economy.  But we need to make sure that we are fostering ingenuity at every level of the process, and thanks to Apollo Solar, Congress got that message today," said Murphy.

# # #