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Articles by Chris Crowell

News The solar industry is urging South Carolina’s Legislature to pass a broad new bill that would reform the state’s energy market, creating jobs, expanding solar deployment and lowering some of the highest home energy bills in the U.S. “We developed this bill because the energy market in South Carolina needs to be modernized," said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “This legislation will lead to lower electric bills for consumers and many new jobs. South Carolinians deserve the economic benefits that an expanded clean energy portfolio will provide the state. We urge the Legislature to pass this bill in the upcom-ing session.” If approved, this legislation (Senate Bill 332 - sponsored by Senator Tom Davis, R-Beaufort) would: • Require the Public Service Commission to initiate a new proceeding to review and approve rates and terms provided to large-scale solar facilities, streamlining the process and ensuring contract terms are reasonable for such projects • Allow large energy consumers, such as industrial manufacturers, to contract directly with a renewa-ble energy supplier to more easily realize savings from solar • Remove arbitrary caps on home solar projects • Establish a “Consumer Bill of Rights” to protect energy consumers from discriminatory charges, en-suring that energy rates are fair and transparent • Establish a neighborhood community solar program designed to expand solar access to low-income customers “South Carolinians have made it clear that they want more solar energy freedom,” said Matt Moore, Chair-man of the Palmetto Conservative Solar Coalition. “As we look towards our state’s energy future, this legisla-tion enables more independently funded, affordable, clean energy solutions, like rooftop solar, and will protect the thousands of jobs that come with it.” "More competition in the energy sector drives down energy costs, reduces bills for ratepayers, and creates jobs and investments in South Carolina,” said Steffanie Dohn, Director of Government Relations for the SC So-lar Business Alliance. “By passing this legislation, lawmakers can help ratepayers, create jobs and continue to grow our economy - a win-win-win." Solar energy use has soared in the state over the past two years as solar generation has become more com-petitive with traditional resources. South Carolina now has more than 616 megawatts of solar capacity, mak-ing it the 18th biggest solar state. The state added 1,000 solar jobs in 2016, and the industry now employs nearly 2,900 workers. However, solar installations and jobs have slowed in 2018. This bill will make solar more accessible to homes and businesses, spurring its growth.
SEIA promotes bill to revamp South Carolina’s outdated energy market...

The solar industry has had its sights set on South Carolina since the ball dropped. There was this broad coalition urging action within the ...

January 8, 2019
Projects duke energy florida hamilton power plant
Duke Energy Florida brings massive Hamilton Solar Power Plant online

The new 74.9-megawatt (MW) Hamilton Solar Power Plant in Jasper, Fla., is now operation, according to Duke Energy. The plant’s carbon-...

January 8, 2019
News auric-energy
Auric Solar rebrands as Auric Energy, acquires Solaroo Energy

Auric Energy is making some moves. First came word that the Utah-based solar installer was rebranding as Auric Energy, previously known...

January 8, 2019
PV Modules SolaTrim
PV Protection: Four reasons you should already be installing protective...

Installing a protective barrier or skirt with a rooftop solar system should no longer be considered an add-on or upgrade but rather an integ...

January 8, 2019
News Sunpin logo
City of Greenville, Illinois, partners with Sunpin Solar on its...

The City of Greenville, Ill., and signed ab option and lease agreement with the California-based solar developer Sunpin Solar for a potentia...

January 7, 2019
News PV Evolution Labs
DNV GL’s solar equipment reliability testing lab, PVEL, spins off...

The management of DNV GL and PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) kicked off the new year by jointly deciding that PVEL will become a separate legal ent...

January 7, 2019
Projects ensync peer to peer energy sharing
This Hawaii housing development to share solar energy via peer-to-peer...

EnSync Energy Systems signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Koa’e Workforce Housing, L.P. to include EnSync Smart Home Energy S...

January 7, 2019
News Duke Energy
Duke Energy prepares for second round of residential solar rebates...

Duke Energy has opened the window for another wave of North Carolina customers to apply for its solar rebate program — a program that ...

January 7, 2019
News philadelphia solar ppa
Philadelphia to offset 22 percent of government building electricity costs...

Developer Community Energy Inc. announced the approval of a 70-MW solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in Adams County, Pa, to power governm...

January 7, 2019
News Clearway Energy Logo
Clearway Energy Group secures two solar PPAs with Hawaiian Electric...

Clearway Energy Group and Hawaiian Electric Company have signed power purchase agreements to construct two solar projects on Oahu: Mililani ...

January 7, 2019
Inverters and eBOS SolarEdge
SolarEdge acquires electric vehicle powertrain provider SMRE

SolarEdge Technologies announced a huge move today, acquiring SMRE Spa, a provider of integrated powertrain technology and electronics for e...

January 7, 2019
News solar market predictions
Five predictions for the U.S. residential solar market via Freedom...

Freedom Forever is one of the fastest growing residential solar finance and installation companies. The Temecula, California-based company d...

January 3, 2019
News Vineyards_Kaiser charging 2
California’s Vineyards a good example of how to design, develop...

With opening a few months away, The Vineyards already is generating anticipation as Southern California’s newest upscale and pedestria...

January 2, 2019
News south carolina solar advocacy
Solar groups send 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda to South...

A coalition of solar industry groups, conservation organizations, and clean energy advocates have crafted a 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda, cal...

January 2, 2019