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When my wife and I moved to Tucson in 1994, we were struck by how much sunshine we got year-round — about 350 days a year. From the beginning, I remember saying, “We have to go solar.�

But it took us years to actually do it. As a retired educator who spent more than 25 years teaching in Tucson’s public schools, I’ve always valued long-term thinking and community care. I knew solar could be good for both. But like many families, we had questions: What happens if we sell the house? Will a buyer want the system? What if something breaks? Will it really save us money?

Meanwhile, the cost of electricity kept going up. Tucson Electric Power seems to raise rates every other year. After a while, we had enough. We said, “No more. Solar is the future.�

The turning point came when a family member told me about a local solar co-op run by Solar United Neighbors (SUN). Joining SUN made all the difference. We met with others in our community and got honest answers to our questions. It was transparent, supportive, and easy to understand.

The real game-changer, though, was the financial support. Through SUN’s Tucson Solar Income-Qualified Grant Program, I received a $7,000 grant. I also benefited from Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) payments. And the federal solar tax credit — which covers 30 percent of the total cost — helped us finally make the numbers work.

That’s why I’m so alarmed by what just happened in Congress. The House recently advanced legislation to eliminate those federal tax credits at the end of 2025. Lawmakers removed credits that support homeowners’ investment in solar energy. These credits are named by where they are located in the tax code. This specific credit is 25D. Without this tax credit, we wouldn’t have been able to go solar. And I know many others in Arizona won’t be able to either.

The tax credit is the difference between dreaming of solar and being able to afford it. It helps working families invest in long-term savings and energy independence — just like we did. And it supports local jobs, contractors and small businesses.

Since installing our system, our bills have dropped dramatically. I check my Enphase app to see how much energy we’re producing, and it gives me peace of mind. More importantly, I’ve become an advocate in my neighborhood, sharing what I’ve learned and encouraging others to make the switch.

I’m proud to say I was part of SUN’s mission to help people take control of their energy. In Arizona, SUN has now completed 18 solar co-ops and helped 583 households go solar — with more coming in 2025. Co-ops serving Flagstaff, Sedona and Coconino County will launch this summer, and another Tucson co-op will open this fall.

This kind of local momentum is what solar power is all about. But we can’t keep it going if Congress pulls the rug out from under us.

The bill is still working its way through the Senate, and changes will likely be made in the next several weeks. Now is the time for Arizonans to make their voices heard.

I’m calling on Arizona’s senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, to support restoring or extending the tax credit when this proposal reaches them. Both senators have already shown their commitment to solar energy — just last year, they helped secure over $156 million for solar projects benefiting under-resourced and vulnerable communities in Arizona through the Solar for All program. They understand that solar is crucial for economic opportunity and energy independence for Arizona families. I’m also urging Representative Juan Ciscomani, who represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, including Tucson, to support any Senate fix when it comes back to the House.

My message to lawmakers is simple: don’t take away what’s working. Protect the solar tax credits that are helping families like mine. And to anyone thinking about going solar, I’ll tell you what I tell my friends: Do it. You won’t regret it.