Ending the "Feast or Famine" Cycle of US Clean Energy Development

Since the energy crisis of the late 1970s, the federal government has employed various policy mechanisms to support renewable energy development. Driving through the neighborhoods that were developed in the late 70s and early 80s, it’s not hard to notice all of the old rooftop solar water heating arrays that were installed because people were taking advantage of a tax credit made available by the Carter administration. But the tax credit expired after Reagan took office and we don’t see rooftop solar hot water nearly as much anymore (at least not recently installed). The same thing will happen if the renewable energy tax credits expire. The boom-and-bust cycle of clean energy development is a direct result of the waxing and waning of the PTC