Policy

California on map After some drama, California’s major utilities have published updated Interconnection Capacity Analysis maps
Chris Crowell
January 14, 2019
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News utility communication standard
New standard emerging for grid operators to communicate with DER smart inverters
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 rules
January 8, 2019
News Duke Energy
Duke Energy prepares for second round of residential solar rebates in North Carolina
January 7, 2019
News south carolina solar advocacy
Solar groups send 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda to South Carolina lawmakers
January 2, 2019
Financing comed solar rebate
ComEd commercial customers can now sumbit for solar system rebates...

Commercial and industrial ComEd customers can begin submitting applications for rebates of $250 per kilowatt of installed solar energy, a de...

December 17, 2018
News energy storage funding
Here’s New York’s plan for $250 million in energy storage...

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced a new commitment to invest $250 million between now and 2025 to accelerate the flexibility of ...

December 12, 2018
News capitol hill
A ton of solar companies are set to blitz Capitol...

Led by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today nearly 70 solar companies are visiting the offices of more than 100 members of ...

December 6, 2018
News California Building Standards vote
California Building Standards Commission makes it official: New homes will...

Making it official, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) unanimously confirmed the new standards that require solar on new ho...

December 5, 2018
News solar energy law firm
Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen launches National Renewable Energy...

The opportunity in solar energy is too great to contain’s Sherin and Lodgen LLP award-winning solar energy practice. The Boston l...

December 4, 2018
News SEIA
SEIA urges Congress to add storage to ITC eligibility this...

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), alongside a broad coalition of energy trade and advocacy organizations, filed a letter urgin...

November 27, 2018
News solar jobs
The case for solar as resilience from economic disasters too

Resilience is a hot topic in solar industry conversations these days because of how it and other distributed energy strategies can protect c...

November 27, 2018
News energy markets
Wind Solar Alliance report shows how outdated wholesale market rules...

Record low costs and consumer demand are driving growth in American wind and solar energy. However, outdated wholesale market rules are prev...

November 19, 2018
News nevada voters
Nevada voters want the state to hit 50 percent renewable...

The Nevada solar industry got a shot in the arm on Election day with the passing of Question 6 and calling for a stronger economy fueled by ...

November 12, 2018
News utility grid modernization
New report explores 10 grid reform concepts, case studies for...

A frequent topic on this site over the last year is the need for more advanced utility business models and a new report from the Advanc...

November 12, 2018
News virginia dominion solar
Dominion Energy Virginia petition approved for solar power purchase in...

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved two prudency petitions from Dominion Energy Virginia for new renewable projects. One petitio...

November 12, 2018
News southeast solar
Which utilities in the South are the most solar friendly?...

How do utilities grade out in terms of their solar friendliness? The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) launched a new website to tell...

October 29, 2018
News Advanced energy economy
AEE ranks gubernatorial candidates based on advanced energy policies in...

National business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) launched online scorecards to show where candidates for governor stand on a range of a...

October 17, 2018
+ Storage
New York to fund $40 million in solar + storage...

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is making $40 million in funding available to support solar projects that integrate energy storage, accele...

October 15, 2018
News Geronimo Energy
Minnesota approves 1.5 center adder for residential community solar subscribers...

Minnesota has cemented its status as the community solar state, but a design flaw in its program design has left many in the community not b...

October 15, 2018