There’s an unlikely name among the usual suspects that populate a recently released list [PDF] of leading U.S. solar cities. There’s Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, San Jose, Honolulu, San Antonio and then … Indianapolis? Yep. And the city just got even more solar, with the official opening last week of a 9 megawatt array… Keep reading →
A new California ruling exempts net energy metering-paired energy storage systems sized 10 kW or smaller from interconnection charges. On May 15, 2014, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a decision exempting small storage devices paired with net energy metering (NEM)-eligible generation facilities from interconnection fees. Fee exemption for NEM-paired storage would be tested… Keep reading →
North Carolina says it wants to be in the energy business and has been drafting industry-friendly legislation to help its cause. “Womack and MEC members have spent close to two years creating regulations to govern the drilling industry. Members feel a bill filed during the first week of session supports their efforts but will require… Keep reading →
Peak solar & wind power production in Germany are considerably lower than installed capacity The EU Commission recently unveiled new regulations for the period 2014 to 2020 to gradually phase out support for renewable energy technologies. In a press release the commission stated the guidelines are intended to “promote a gradual move to market-based support… Keep reading →
You might think that a northern state like Minnesota wouldn’t be a hot market for solar energy, but, in fact, solar can work well in northern and colder climates. To capture that solar potential, Minnesota recently enacted several policies and incentives to inspire more Minnesota businesses, municipalities, non-profits, and residents to install solar and reduce their energy costs. The main driver behind Minnesota’s solar push is the state’s Renewable Portfolio… Keep reading →
Conservative political groups are pushing for the repeal of renewable portfolio standards in several states. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is at the heart of these efforts, which are being underwritten by the Koch brothers and fossil fuel companies. “Clean energy is beginning to become mainstream,” said Gabe Elsner, executive director of the Energy… Keep reading →
Last year, the US wind industry Production Tax Credit was scheduled to expire at the end of December and the news media was all over it. The PTC is also scheduled to expire that the end of this year, but the issue is getting much less attention, why is that? Senator Don Nickles, who served… Keep reading →
“When I consider this checklist, we’re pretty close.” The U.S. solar industry has come a long way in a very short timeframe. After decades of slow but steady growth, the last 2.5 years have brought an explosion of new installations in America — with two-thirds of all total distributed solar installed since just 2011. By… Keep reading →
Solar securitization, which we’ve recently covered, appears to be moving forward with an announcement last week that SolarCity plans to sell $54 million in asset-backed securities. The concept is similar to now-famous mortgage-backed securities that precipitated the global financial crisis, but proponents claim they are less risky. [The Atlantic] California cities are getting into biogas,… Keep reading →
Utilities: one of your largest customers is under legal obligation to use less energy. Way less energy. If you’re not figuring out how to cope, you’d better start now, as this timely article from EnerNex Vice President Stuart McCafferty makes clear. — Jesse Berst By the end of 2013, the federal government’s 7.5% renewable energy… Keep reading →
