As a solar contractor, I was dismayed to hear disparaging comments about green energy during the Denver debate. I'd like to set the record straight.

Let's be honest: We are not dealing with a level playing field. Oil companies have enjoyed rich subsidies for more than 100 years. The first coal subsidy dates back to the late 1700s.

PV Seminars, Solar Source Institute, $1250 ongoing 5-day Intensives, Largo, Florida, CE credit certified, Hands-on Mobile Training Unit, ONLINE Introduction Classes, N-EL,

Current 2010 Schedule: May 10-14 (at ABC Institute,Coconut Creek) May 17-21 (at SSI, Largo) July 12-16 (at Palm Beach State College) July 19-23 (at State College of FL in Sarasota/Bradenton)

Mitt Romney's statement, "In one year, you provided $90 billion in breaks to the green energy world… that's about 50 years' worth of what oil and gas receives," is false. Actually, the clean energy investment took place over several years. The tax breaks that oil companies receive are different from the loan guarantees, grants and R&D provided through the stimulus. Only a portion of the money went to solar and wind; it was also used for energy efficiency, environmental cleanup and improvements to our power lines. Unlike tax breaks for oil companies, the loan guarantees are repaid with interest. In fact, Tesla just announced they would be making their payment early.