NAHB members meet with senior officials in the Obama administration to discuss solar energy

LOWELL, Mass. - Jan. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Andrew Chaban, Princeton Properties Chief Executive Officer accompanied NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly along with a small delegation of builders and remodelers including NAHB members Paul Sullivan and Bryson Garbett to meet with members of the Obama administration to discuss the importance of solar technology.

Government representatives in attendance included: Dan Utech, Special Assistant to the President - Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy; Candace Vahlsing, Senior Policy Analyst - Domestic Policy Council; Elaine Ulrich, Physical Scientist - Office of Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy; Ali Zaidi, Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy and Science - Office of Management and Budget; Rohan Patel, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director - Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Princeton Properties, an active member of NAHB, has a long standing focus on solar energy, recently completing their 7th solar installation in Massachusetts.  “NAHB has a long history of supporting green building and encouraging the use of renewable energy,” Kelly told officials.  “We appreciate the opportunity to meet with the administration on this important topic, and look forward to a continued successful relationship to further promote the use of solar technology in the residential building sector.”

The agenda for this December, 2014 meeting included a summary of builder and remodelers experience with solar, an overview of DOE programs and an open discussion of barriers for incorporating solar programming into new and existing housing stock, Federal government assistance and any future steps to encourage continued solar technology installation.  A considerable amount of NAHB members have installed some form of alternate energy technology in the past year.

Tax incentives continue to be the fastest and easiest way to affect behavior and encourage the use of solar technology, Kelly reminded administration officials. The feds offer several tax incentives for the residential sector specifically targeting solar technology.

NAHB also reported on existing barriers to solar based on feedback from builder members, including long payback periods, financing and issues with utility companies.  Overall it was a very productive and encouraging meeting.  "I was pleased to be part of this discussion.  Our team at Princeton Properties is committed to the use of alternative energy sources.  We've integrated solar technologies at many of our existing locations and believe solar can be a very good investment for builders.  It's important to keep the lines of communication open with the administration and we look forward to continuing successful partnerships."  states Andrew Chaban.