William Nelson of Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) and Brad Browery of SRECTrade know Solar Renewable Energy (SREC) Markets like the back of their hands. Maybe better. They joined us for the latest edition of our Get Some Sun webinar series to offer their insights on the diverse and often complex nature of SREC markets. If you missed it or liked it so much you want to watch it again, here is the full recording for your viewing pleasure …

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One of solar’s many benefits is that it can deliver power when and where it’s needed most. At scale, that means solar reduces the need for expensive peak power generation, decreases electricity losses in transmission and distribution systems, and lessens the strain on the grid – good cost-saving measures for all ratepayers, not just those who have gone solar.

Just how much economic value solar delivers is specific to the needs, infrastructure and market structure of any given utility territory. And so we worked with local partners to provide some extra insight to what those ratepayer benefits really look like in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Turns out, solar is a pretty great deal  . . . » Read the rest of this entry «

Amid the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy, we’re glad to share some good news from New York . . .

The Empire State is at it again, making moves towards ensuring that solar energy is a significant part of its energy landscape. Having increased the state’s commitment to solar development with the NY-Sun Initiative in early 2012, Governor Cuomo and his team are back to work expanding the legacy of this program. » Read the rest of this entry «

Interconnection standards are the legal rules and procedures for “plugging” a renewable energy system into the power grid. With oversight from their regulators, utilities have traditionally determined which systems may connect to the grid and how arduous that process is. As you can imagine, interconnection standards that are unclear, full of unecessary steps, or non-transparent can result in a costly headache for rooftop solar – sometimes to the point where it makes a solar investment unviable altogether.

It’s incredibly technical, but incredibly important for empowering people to generate their own power. And so interconnection rules are one of our policy priorities at Vote Solar. And we’ve got progress to report! . . .

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved a major upgrade to the state’s interconnection rules for rooftop and small-scale solar projects: known in regulatory circles  as “Rule 21.”  The upgrade came about through over a year of negotiations between California’s three big utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E), and a number of diverse stakeholders, including Vote Solar and our allies. » Read the rest of this entry «

More States Move to the Head of the Class on Interconnection and Net Metering

Today the Vote Solar Initiative (Vote Solar) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) released our official 2012 findings for Freeing the Grid, a policy report that grades all 50 states on two key programs: net metering and interconnection procedures. Together, these policies empower American energy consumers to use rooftop solar and other small-scale renewables to meet their own electricity needs. The report was released during Solar Power International in Orlando. » Read the rest of this entry «

A much anticipated bill that would have expanded access to solar energy to the majority of Californians failed in the final hours of California’s legislative session on Friday.

SB 843, sponsored by Senator Lois Wolk, would have created a 2 GW shared solar program that would have enabled millions of California renters, small businesses, and public agencies to go solar the first time. By allowing customers to participate in community shared renewable energy systems, it would give customers a way to go solar even if they don’t have a suitable roof of their own. » Read the rest of this entry «

Right now, a bill in Sacramento, SB 843, has the power to allow thousands of California energy consumers to go solar for the first time. Shared solar is a game-changer that could unleash huge new private investment in clean energy.  But its fate rests on SB 843 and needs Californians to voice support now to pass. (TAKE ACTION: We’ve made it easy here).

Under SB 843, customers of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E would have access to affordable solar energy even if they don’t have a suitable roof to put it on. SB 843 would allow customers to sign up to participate in shared renewable energy projects, and receive a credit on their utility bill for the clean energy produced by their share of the project. The project can be located wherever it makes the most sense – in a city park, on an old landfill, out in the desert. By allowing customers to subscribe to shared solar projects, SB 843 broadens access to clean energy to thousands more Californians. » Read the rest of this entry «

Great strides for solar occurred in Massachusetts this week with the passage of the 2012 Energy Act. This comprehensive energy bill expands an important solar program called net metering that gives customers credit for the valuable clean power they send to the grid.

Massachusetts’ net metering law has successfully enabled thousands of homes, businesses and public agencies to go solar and save on their utility bills. With the cap on net metering now doubled from 3% to 6% of utilities’ peak load, Bay Staters can keep on investing in clean energy to power their lives. » Read the rest of this entry «

Two weeks ago we caught wind that Central Hudson Gas & Electric (CHG&E) in upstate New York had surpassed its net metering program cap of 12 MW and chose to suspend any new applications. To the dismay of many, particularly local solar installers operating in the Hudson Valley, this program suspension came as a bit of a surprise.

Local solar installer, Hudson Valley Clean Energy, quickly filed a petition with the NY Public Service Commission requesting both an increase to the utility’s net metering program cap and for the Commission to urge CHG&E to continue accepting applications. » Read the rest of this entry «

While once indifferent to solar, New Jersey Governor Christie turned solar champion today by signing legislation that will ensure that the state is able to sustain its impressive solar growth over the coming years.

And while many solar supporters in Pennsylvania have looked to Harrisburg to address this issue with a similar approach to that of Governor Christie, Pennsylvania’s policymakers have failed to act before taking their summer recess.

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