All people deserve the freedom to choose the energy source that works best for them. Community solar and third-party leasing help make that energy freedom a reality. SEIA’s Caitlin Vincent, MPA spoke with VPM about two important new solar laws in Virginia that will make “solar more attainable” for people across the Commonwealth. https://lnkd.in/eKxhwzkU
Well said!
California's broad community solar coalition continues to press for changes that will ensure all Californians can participate in the clean energy transition. “We don’t think that this program should have the utilities be in charge of selecting the projects. We have a decade of experience of that happening, and the program just kind of dead-ends. The utilities are fundamentally not motivated to make these programs succeed. They’re focused on having them be niche products,” said matt freedman, staff attorney for TURN - The Utility Reform Network. https://lnkd.in/eBHCrpnS #california #californiasolar #energypolicy #communitysolar #cleanenergytransition
If you have kept up with the Commonwealth of Virginia's local solar bans (check out my recent blog on this topic) here's another perspective - maybe the state should be able to override the local bans. See the article below on this debate: https://lnkd.in/eXwSa3wv
Industry news alert! 💡 The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) is advocating raising the current residential solar tax credit from $5,000 to $10,000, allowing energy storage to be included in tax credits, and enabling low-income households and residents of disadvantaged communities to partake in these refunds. Introducing this legislation allows more people access to clean energy and can help New York achieve its clean energy goals. To read more about this, click the link here: https://hubs.li/Q02mB4yF0
#California has been unnecessarily doing severe damage to its ☀️#solar industry under the NEM 3.0 ruling. Bernadette Del Chiaro has been all over this, so go follow her if you want to keep up on the latest developments. But Solar Power World brings news that there may be some welcome relief for the state’s industry if they can get it through the General Assembly. California Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) has introduced legislation designed to undo much of the damage done by the California Public Utilities Commission NEM 3.0 ruling. I’m not a California resident, but I do have a vested interest in seeing the solar industry thrive throughout the country, and this bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 2619, may help save a cratering industry in the Golden State. Here’s hoping Connolly can convince enough of his colleagues of the CPUC’s folly and get this legislation passed quickly. https://lnkd.in/dnC3ud_D #Deliveringacleanenergyfuture #commercialsolar #communitysolar
Principal, Tred Avon Strategies; Annapolis, Maryland. Lecturer in Crisis Communication; Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout The Maryland General Assembly session this year, I and so many others warned that Senate Bill 1 - which handed a literal monopoly to Baltimore Gas and Electric and the other government-backed utilities - would severely damage Maryland's ability to achieve Gov. Wes Moore's renewable energy goals. This story is exactly what we were warning against. In Virginia, the big utility has jacked up the cost of connecting to the grid and, in so doing, made it economically infeasible for midsize solar projects to succeed. These projects represented a step forward in Virginia's climate change goals, and provided job and investment opportunities in low-income communities. Virginia's monopoly is killing solar. And rest assured that it will now happen in Maryland. Because monopolies don't like competition. Maryland has a choice. It can meet Governor Moore's ambitious green energy goals. Or it can keep Senate Bill 1 on the books. It cannot do both.
Sunlight equity. That's what Minnesota is achieving with a landmark community solar energy law hailed as a new stage of energy democracy. Low- and middle-income families often face limited access to clean energy options. These disparities exacerbate social and economic inequities. Our grantee – the Institute for Local Self-Reliance – acted as a convener for disparate efforts and organizations, and got the new law passed. It includes both mandates and incentives to reach out to residents often overlooked. Want to know how to make this happen elsewhere? Read the blueprint to achieving solar savings for all. Cooperative Energy Futures Pouya Najmaie #affordablesolar #energyequity #solarenergy #climatejustice #renewables #MatterOfImpact #energytransformation https://lnkd.in/em9d_FER
Senior Sales Manager - Meyer Burger | Cleantech Lif-er | Disruptor | Promethean | Business Expansion & Development | Manufacturer Representative | Strategy Development & Innovation | Project Management
CPUC is made up with appointees chosen by our California Governor. In December of 2021 the original NEM 3.0 plans were revealed that would have taken a Resi PV system out to an 18 year payback. All the time knowing they would negotiate down to around 50% of that for their first fight with CALSSA and our industry affiliate’s. The stacked CPUC at that time as well as over time last year today mostly have moved on… rewarded with posh new jobs for doing their duty for not just IOU’s and Big Labor, but for National Power Grid suppliers feeding into California. I just find it very interesting today that it is our # 1 California Green Solar Industry leading the nation for decades causing the advances in technology has become the first real industry falling victim of the World Economic Forum’s ESG plan our industry has so imbraced. Remember, what occurs in the California Solar Industry…. Other States follow. It already occurred in Florida! But was vetoed by the current governor due to the damage it would cause to the economy and massive loss of jobs. It’s time we get serious about what and who our adversaries are and maybe unite with the right team to move forward with. Pro Small Business. Pro Jobs. Pro Disrupters and Entrepreneurs. Just saying…
CRO/VP of Sales and Marketing | Solar EPC, Solar Finance, Dealership Program Development | AI & Prompt Engineering Enthusiast
Utilities are all about solar as long as they are the ONLY ones making money from it. Never mind that the utilities alone CANNOT build enough solar to reach our emissions targets. They just can’t help themselves from doing everything they can to kill the competition - rooftop solar - and preserve their monopoly. Unfortunately, their buddies at the PUC are more than happy to swallow all their arguments line, hook, and sinker. ‘Despite the benefits of locally generated solar, “for-profit utilities across the country have targeted NEM programs,” they argue. “Because investor-owned utilities earn guaranteed returns on capital spending for transmission infrastructure, distributed energy resources, like rooftop solar, threaten the utility business model. Thus, for-profit utilities across the country have embarked on a multi-state campaign to gut NEM programs, promoting a false narrative that NEM causes a ‘cost shift’ from wealthier NEM customers and increases rates for everyone else, ignoring completely the billions of dollars utilities spend on transmission infrastructure that drives increased electricity rates”’
Experienced Business Development Executive with deep understanding of energy markets and public policy.
This is definitely a positive step in the right direction. But, passing community solar legislation in PA has proven more like Lucy with the football! Fingers crossed this year is different and PA finally lives up to its full potential with regard to adding more solar to their grid and doing it in an equitable way. #communitysolar #solar #cleanenergytransition https://lnkd.in/e9bB5X8d
California's #solar policy landscape is coming together to rally behind the the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT), a new proposal that would revitalize the California #communitysolar market, helping it become a leader in the nation. #California #EnergyTransition
Exciting developments in the world of solar policy! California lawmakers are taking strides to encourage solar installations along highways, and it's now on the governor's desk. Additionally, the Solar Access Act deadline for instant online permitting in California has passed, with an interactive map showcasing compliance. In New York, solar enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the solar property tax abatement in NYC has been expanded to 30% and extended through 2034, now applicable to energy storage systems and parking canopies. Community solar initiatives are gaining traction in Ohio and Michigan, with bills advancing in support of opening up these markets. The Department of Energy (DOE) is also making moves, with applications for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program opening on October 19, 2023. Furthermore, the Biden Administration has unveiled the "American Climate Corps," a program aimed at placing 20,000 individuals into low-carbon energy and climate resilience jobs, sign-ups are open now! Lastly, the DOE is investing in long-duration energy storage technologies across various states, moving closer to the goal of reducing costs by 90% by 2030. These projects will not only advance technology but also provide resilient backup power for local communities. #SolarPolicy #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction #CleanEnergy #SolarPower #EnergyStorage #BidenAdministration #DOE #California #NewYork #CommunitySolar #ClimateResilience https://lnkd.in/gh43seFW
Sounds like an exciting step towards a more sustainable future for Virginians!