Solar cells are unusual in that they were cost-competitive from the get-go. From the Apollo space program to highway signs to lighting for buoys, solar could replace highly expensive power from batteries or other sources and eliminate the need for the construction of electric distribution lines.1 When the Institute for … [continued]
A friend at Fresh Energy generously called me the “architect” of Minnesota’s new solar energy standard (signed last week), and although that may be a bit generous, I’d like to provide a detailed description of the nation’s newest solar energy standard. The topline: 1.5 percent solar standard for the state’s … [continued]
For over four years, the City of Minneapolis has worked with residents, nonprofits, community organizations, schools, and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local level with the Climate Change Innovation Grants. The grants allowed participants to implement their own sustainability initiatives, and are funded through Energy Efficiency and … [continued]
This article first appeared on Mosaic. by Rosana Francescato There’s been a lot of talk lately about net metering. What’s so special about net metering, and why all the fuss? Net metering is a simple concept that’s policy in 43 states. It’s like rollover minutes on a cell phone bill — … [continued]
This was included in a roundup post the other day, but roundup posts don’t get enough attention, so I’m reposting it below from Solar Love. I think most of us know by now that there’s enough renewable energy potential to power the world several times over. However, the key is … [continued]
Earth Day highlights the need for a sustainable energy future, and experience suggests that there are only three meaningful choices for communities trying to increase local control of a greener energy future. But the three policies – deregulation (“customer choice”), municipal aggregation (“city choice”), and municipal utilities (“city ownership”) – … [continued]
This article was first published on RenewEconomy. By Giles Parkinson The twice-yearly meetings of CEOs from the major electricity suppliers in Australia has become something of an institution for the industry leaders. They are for a specifically designed as a private forum to raise issues of concern to the industry. … [continued]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, announced on Friday last week that it had reached an agreement to enhance its proposed “Green Option” to give electric customers an opportunity to support 100% renewable energy. PG&E provided a revised proposal to … [continued]
Reposted from RenewEconomy: The emergence of the shale gas boom in the United States, and the discovery of significant reserves in Australia and elsewhere, has prompted many people in the energy industry to proclaim a “golden age” of gas, one that will cause the premature demise of renewable energy sources, … [continued]
Reposted from RenewEconomy: The head of America’s biggest fossil fuel generator says the sharp falls in technology costs from rooftop solar and other micro generation means consumers will soon go after the option of disconnecting from the local utility and “won’t need the power industry any more.” David Crane, the … [continued]
