Texas landowners continue to fight wind farms
Ranchers and other South Texas landowners continue to fight a wind farm project that they say will pollute the local environment. (March 15) (AP Video: Lekan Wakenami)
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Complaint: Government program installs solar panels for free
A Facebook video from March 22 shows a man talking about solar energy.
"Do you know the national secrets of the American solar companies?" asks the man. "They should give you free solar panels if you ask."
He said the deal is part of a new government solar program.
The post also includes a link to a website advertising discount solar panel installations.
The video received over 200 likes in less than two weeks. Similar posts were also shared on Facebook.
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Our assessment: wrong
According to experts from the Department of Energy, such a program does not exist. However, the government offers a federal tax credit that covers a percentage of the cost of solar panels.
There is no such government program.
Becca Jones-Albertas, director of the Department of Energy's Office of Solar Energy Technologies, told USA Today in an email that the government doesn't give out free solar panels.
A March 10 blog post from Jones-Albertus offers tips for shoppers to avoid online scams.
"Some states offer solar subsidies for high-income households, but check to see if the program is listed on a .gov website or call your state office to confirm the offer is valid and how you can participate," the post says. .
While the government doesn't offer free solar panels, it does offer a tax credit that can be claimed against federal income taxes for people who use solar power for their homes. The debt was increased and extended until 2034 through the Anti-Inflationary Law.
PV systems installed in 2020 and 2021 are eligible for a 26% tax credit, while those installed between 2022 and 2032 are eligible for a 30% tax credit.
Fact: Global warming is caused by human activity, not the solar wind or weak magnetic field
Similar posts say the anti-inflation law would allow Americans in several states to install a $2,500 Tesla power bank and free solar panels. The law does not provide for such a program.
Companies that advertise "free" solar panels often offer solar panel rentals, where buyers pay monthly rent and electricity usage charges instead of up-front payments, according to Forbes.
USA TODAY rejects claims that the government is paying people $8,400 to test solar panels.
USA TODAY has contacted the user who shared the post for comment.
PolitiFact also denied that claim.
Sources of our verification:
- Email exchange between Becca Jones and Albertus on April 3 with USA TODAY
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy March 10 Tips for Buying Solar Smartly
- Congress, August 16, 2022, Inflation Relief Act of 2022
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, March, Homeowner's Guide to Federal Tax Credits for Solar PV
- Forbes Feb 14 Free Solar Panels: Why They May Be Free
- USA TODAY, October 5, 2022 Check: The government subsidizes solar panels, but not $8,400 in checks in the mail
- PolitiFact Mar 31, No, solar companies shouldn't give away solar panels and beware of free panel offers.
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