Where’s the capital for the next solar revolution(s) going to come from? Maybe you. Ryan Levinson of SunFunder and Billy Parish of Mosaic shared their thoughts with us on a recent webinar, and here’s the recording. » Read the rest of this entry «
Vote Solar is hiring: Director of DG and Grid Integration
May 20th, 2013
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Vote Solar seeks a candidate to help pioneer solutions to the next challenges facing sustainable solar market expansion: grid integration of variable resources, and market design for distributed generation (DG). This high-level position entails both thought leadership in designing solutions, and effective campaign management in getting those solutions implemented (via regulatory and legislative venues, leveraging grassroots and media assets).
Position description and application instructions here (pdf).
Minnesota Is a Governor’s Signature Away from 450MW of Solar
May 19th, 2013
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This week the Minnesota legislature passed a substantial solar energy bill that will result in the development of more than 450 megawatts of solar by 2020. Solar advocates are awaiting Governor Dayton’s signature which, given his support for solar, is expected shortly.
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Halftime update
May 13th, 2013
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With the year nearly half done, here’s the solar scoreboard–updates from things we’ve been working on, and a selection of other notable solar victories. » Read the rest of this entry «
North Carolina’s Anti-Renewable Bill is Back from the Dead
May 3rd, 2013
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Last week North Carolina celebrated a victory for the good guys with the defeat of legislation to repeal the state’s renewable energy goal. Bad news. Like a something out of a zombie flick, the bad bill is back from the dead.
Senate backers used shady tactics and a disputed voice vote to resurrect the bill in a committee. Turns out that acting against the interests of the state and its people is a lot easier if you don’t have to worry about counting real votes. If this bill gets passed into law, it would mean lights out for renewable energy investment in the state. Now that’s scary. » Read the rest of this entry «
Sunshine State set to stop taxing sunshine
May 2nd, 2013
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Sunny news from the Sunshine State. A bill to provide a property tax abatement for residential solar installations has sailed through both houses of the state legislature and now just needs the Governor’s signature to become law. This will ensure that when homeowners make solar and other renewable energy investments to bring their utility bills down, their property taxes won’t go up. Big thanks to our Florida members who spoke up in support of this common sense solar policy.
More of this kind of policy leadership is what Florida needs to start making good on its nickname. According to our friends at SEIA, the Sunshine state currently ranks third in the nation for solar potential, but all the way down at 17th for solar capacity installed in 2012. More solar power would mean more consumer control over power bills, more local energy investment, and a healthier environment for us all. Go Florida go!
The PACE soap opera continues: Take action for All My Children!
May 2nd, 2013
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It seems that soap operas did not, in fact, go away after the 80s. Because the ongoing saga of efforts to establish Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs play like an energy wonk’s version of ‘As the World Turns’.
We’re writing with an update, and a request to take action to help clean energy solutions in America. » Read the rest of this entry «
First RAM projects on-line in California
April 30th, 2013
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The first solar projects from California’s Renewable Auction Mechanism (RAM) are now on-line. This is some of the world’s lowest-cost solar, now up and running.
Image credit SolarWorld, via Earthtechling.com
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Shady math puts rooftop solar at risk in Arizona
April 30th, 2013
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With over 250 megawatts producing enough power for about 31,000 homes, Arizona has installed more rooftop solar than almost any other state. Residents of this sunny state see solar power as a no-brainer. They’re reducing their utility bills and investing in a competitive local solar industry in one fell swoop.
But not everyone is happy with so many Arizonans going solar. The state’s largest utility, Arizona Public Service (APS), is currently working to slow down rooftop solar growth by rolling back its net metering policy. » Read the rest of this entry «
Sunny Earth Day for the New York State Legislature
April 24th, 2013
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Solar is really shining in Albany’s Earth Day activities this year. Yesterday the New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation to extend the successful NY-Sun program for 10 years and make New York a real solar powerhouse – on to the Assembly! Between the Senate vote and the Governor introducing similar legislation of his own earlier this week, there’s serious momentum for major solar policy coming out of New York this session. » Read the rest of this entry «