By Karl R. Rábago Value of Solar analysis and the Value of Solar Tariff adopted in Austin, Texas and Minnesota are promising developments in solar utility rates. These ideas can break the cycle of attacks on rooftop solar and deserve the support of the solar industry, utilities, and others who want … [continued]
Bernard Chabot and Renewables International have published an excellent short report on renewable electricity production in the United States in 2012 and 2013. I recommend checking out the full report (thanks to a reader for passing it along), but for those of you who aren’t into digging into full reports, I’m sharing … [continued]
State-based solar incentives that require local solar products be used may be driving up solar costs considerably. Of course, this sort of issue is not exclusive to solar power and it is not exclusive to the United States, but there does seem to be fairly good evidence that it is … [continued]
Originally published on SolarWakeup. By Yann Brandt Value of solar tariffs, also known as VOSTs, have hit some level of critical mass; at least with public perception and media. The question to ask yourself, as I did; do you know what a value of solar tariff is? Why does it … [continued]
On Wednesday, Minnesota became the first state to allow utilities a new method of contracting with distributed solar producers, called the market-based “value of solar.” If adopted by utilities, it will fundamentally change the relationship between solar-producing customers and their electric utility. Following Minnesota’s Value of Solar Process? Here are … [continued]
The Solar Foundation has just launched its interactive “State Solar Jobs 2013” site. This is a state by state database, which shows the growth of solar jobs in 2013 and gives predictions for 2014. “Our state solar jobs research this year clearly shows that solar energy can be harnessed anywhere, … [continued]
How did a cold state in the Upper Midwest join the ranks of states with solar energy standards? This presentation (click for presentation with audio) explains the politics, process, and policy that led to Minnesota becoming the 17th state with a solar or distributed renewable energy standard in 2013. It … [continued]
About 22 solar gardens are being built in Colorado, and more will probably be added. The city of Breckenridge is buying 40% of two of them for one simple reason — because it makes economic sense. If they generate a portion of their own power, over the long-term they can … [continued]
If you liked the Credit Suisse findings I shared yesterday, you’re going to love this clean energy news out of Minnesota: Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman this week concluded that Xcel Energy should invest in some large solar power arrays rather than natural gas generators in order to meet projected power needs … [continued]
In a groundbreaking agreement announced earlier this year, the gas utility serving Minneapolis, MN – CenterPoint Energy – will work with the city of Minneapolis to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The agreement, negotiated with the grassroots campaign Minneapolis Energy Options, secures the support of … [continued]
