More people than ever have been able to defray the cost of investing in photovoltaic panels and other clean energy products by taking advantage of various state and federal tax credits. However, new developments in the world of solar energy may make it easier than ever for people to generate clean electricity.

For example, Senator Mark Udall, a Colorado Democrat, has introduced legislation to provide tax incentives to people who participate in community solar projects, which typically are run by a group of homeowners pooling their resources to maintain a number of solar panels.

Udall has introduced the Solar Uniting Neighborhoods Act of 2010, which features a 30 percent tax credit for people who invest in community solar projects. The credit would be identical to the existing one on the books applying to homeowners who put solar panels on their own property.

Along with helping the environment, Udall is holding out his legislation as a way to create more green energy jobs in Colorado and elsewhere while also increasing demand for solar power.

The Senator also would have his proposed tax credits expire in 2016, which he noted was the same year that other existing solar credits will go off the books.