Policy

solar bill of rights Reasonable and revolutionary: We look at the Solar Bill of Rights proposed in California
Chris Crowell
February 28, 2019
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Financing solar illinois
Grassroots solar education campaigns in Illinois can apply for $50,000 in state funding
February 27, 2019
News New York carbon tax
SEIA urges New York PSC to approve VDER changes proposed in Department of Public Services white paper
February 26, 2019
News south carolina solar policy
South Carolina House passes bill to revamp state energy policy
February 25, 2019
News solar illinois
Illinois’ solar energy policy (and job growth) is an example for other Midwest states
February 13, 2019
Featured solar power northeast 2019
Solar Power Northeast takeaways: Solar’s Catch-22 options for navigating politicians,...

The Northeast is a mature solar market already, but how can it keep on growing from here? Solar Power Northeast in Boston last week offered ...

February 11, 2019
News National Energy Improvement Fund
This Rebate Bridge program speeds rebate payments to energy efficiency...

The National Energy Improvement Fund, a licensed lender and national expert in energy efficiency financing program management, and RKB Capit...

February 11, 2019
News CALSSA
CALSSA: These five barriers keep solar + storage from max...

The California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA) released a white paper detailing barriers that prevent customer-sited solar and storag...

January 30, 2019
News Chrome thumbs down icon isolated on white background.
DTE Energy’s rate case slashes home solar economics, pumps money...

The Michigan Environmental Council, Natural Resources Defense Council and Sierra Club are sounding the alarm on DTE Energy’s Rate Case...

January 30, 2019
News countdown to 2020
Countdown to 2020, part 1: The role solar plays in...

Installment 1: The Countdown to 2020 series is sponsored by QuickBolt. New Builds, New You Enter the Twilight Zone with me. Tomorrow, we wak...

January 24, 2019
News New Mexico
New Mexico puts community solar legislation on the table

Legislation was introduced in New Mexico recently to expand bill-saving benefits of solar to all residents, including those who rent, have u...

January 23, 2019
News solar state report card
IREC recognizes these four states for their clean energy policy...

After a colossal year of energy policy activity across the states, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) calls out some favorite 20...

January 22, 2019
News Bankruptcy law
How will the PG&E bankruptcy affect the California solar industry?...

California’s largest utility, PG&E, filed for bankruptcy last week after years of liability for its role in California’s wil...

January 21, 2019
News new york EV rebates
How New York State’s ‘Green New Deal’ plans to be...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced details for a Green New Deal plan that will lead New York state to a carbon-free by 2040 goal. Here...

January 21, 2019
News florida solar panels
Florida Power & Light will install ’30 million solar panels’...

Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, se...

January 17, 2019
News new york solar projects
New York is doubling its solar goal to 6 GW...

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state is doubling the NY Sun solar goal to 6 GW by 2025, extending the state’s exist...

January 16, 2019
News California on map
After some drama, California’s major utilities have published updated Interconnection...

California has just taken a major step forward in bringing clean local energy online. The Clean Coalition played a major role in this progre...

January 14, 2019
News utility communication standard
New standard emerging for grid operators to communicate with DER...

A collaborative team published a new Application Note to help grid operators communicate with distributed energy resources (DER) and enhance...

January 14, 2019
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
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