Blog Preview 2020 01 15

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – States Seek Closer Scrutiny of Net Metering as Utilities Push for Reforms

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, REC Feed, Renewables, Solar, Solar Power

The debate over net metering for rooftop solar power continues across U.S. states as utilities seek rate structures that reduce the compensation for power exported to the grid or add charges to avoid shifting grid maintenance costs to non-solar customers. More than 20 states are reexamining the policy to more precisely assess the value of distributed generation. Some have changed their rules, while others have initiated studies, and a few have opted to continue with net metering. Critical findings across state commissions will influence the outcomes in other states.

Solar Panels Jan 13 2020

South Carolina Regulator Raises Dominion Energy’s Compensation Rate for Solar Developers

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

The South Carolina Public Service Commission on Jan. 3 voted to increase the rates that Dominion Energy Inc. must use to compensate independent solar providers under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act, or PURPA. The vote revokes a November 2019 decision that lowered the rates and would have stifled solar development in the state. The…

U.S. Energy Department Announces $170 Million to Support Solar, Geothermal Technologies

New Hampshire Governor Supports Legislation Expanding Access to Net Metering

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

Republican Governor Christopher Sununu on Jan. 6 announced his support for a trio of clean energy bills including measures that would expand access to net metering. Sununu vetoed several clean energy bills in the last session, including raising the state’s net metering cap to 5 megawatts from 1 megawatt, over concerns of higher electric bills.…

Jan 8 2020 EKI Preview

EnerKnol Year Ahead: Five Must-Watch Power Sector Trends for 2020

Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Insights, Grid Modernization, Power & Utilities, Smart Grid, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

State measures are transforming the way utilities procure energy in light of continued growth in intermittent large-scale energy, customer-sited generation, and clean energy commitments. Competition among U.S. states eager to take the lead in the nation’s nascent offshore wind sector is bringing the industry to new highs. Battery storage is poised for strong growth with the…...

Community Solar Jan 6 2020

Oregon Regulator Advances Community Solar Program

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission approved guidelines to implement its community solar initiative, allowing project managers to begin creating program applications, according to a Jan. 2 news release. The program, which is designed to reduce barriers to participation, includes a 10 percent project capacity carve-out dedicated to low income customers. The initiative will allow customers…

Gemini Solar Project

Nevada’s 690-Megawatt Gemini Solar Project Moves Closer to Federal Approval

Energy Storage, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

The U.S. Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management on Dec. 30 released a favorable environmental review for the Gemini solar project, a proposed 690-megawatt facility that would span 7,100 acres of BLM-administered land, located about 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The $1 billion project, which includes 380 megawatts of battery storage, would be the…

Blog preview 2019 12 18

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Utilities Expand Green Pricing Options to Meet Growing Customer Demand

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Renewables, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Solar Power, Wind

Utilities are optimizing green power programs to meet carbon reduction targets and satisfy their customers simultaneously. Green pricing options allow customers to meet a portion of their electricity needs from renewable energy resources. While offering innovative products to increase customer access to green power, these programs provide larger consumers the option to meet their varying sustainability and renewable energy goals.

New York Commission Approves Transfer of Entergy’s Nuclear Plants

Maryland Shows Progress Towards Renewable Portfolio Goal of 50 Percent by 2030 in its Latest Annual Report

Climate Change and Emissions, EnerKnol Impact-Misc Categories, EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Solar, Wind

The Public Service Commission of Maryland has issued its annual report on the implementation of the Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard with data for calendar year 2018. According to the report, published on Dec. 10, Maryland RPS obligations were almost entirely fulfilled through the submission of the appropriate level of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Renewable Energy Credits…

New Jersey Installed Record Solar Power Capacity in 2019

New York Consolidates Billing for Community Solar as it Races Towards 6 Gigawatt Goal

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Retail Power and Gas, Solar

The New York Public Service Commission adopted a measure to consolidate the utility bills of Community Distributed Generation (CDG) customers in a bid to reduce operational costs and broaden access to the technology, according to a Dec.12 press release. CDG systems, such as community solar, offer customers that prefer not to install solar directly on their property,…

New York Outlines Roadmap for 10 Gigawatts of Distributed Solar by 2030

New Jersey Board Approves Solar Transition Program, Begins Cost Cap Proceeding

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a new solar incentive program to facilitate the transition from the current Solar Renewable Energy Certificate, or SREC, program to a yet-to-be-determined successor incentive program, according to a December 6 press release. The Transition Incentive will serve as a bridge between the legacy SREC and the new…

100-Megawatt Solar Power Contract

New York Considers Net Metering Changes to Lower Cost Shift to Non-Solar Customers

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, REC Feed, Solar

The New York State Department of Public Service issued a report that recommends improvements to residential net metering to support continued growth of the state’s solar industry while ensuring fairness for all ratepayers by enhancing the accuracy of price signals and lowering the subsidies that are not directly tied to environmental values, according to a…

Solar Panels Power Plants

Michigan Regulator Endorses Upper Peninsula Power’s 125-Megawatt Solar Contract as Part of Resource Plan

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Integrated Resource Plans, Natural Gas, REC Feed, Solar

The Michigan Public Service Commission accepted portions of Upper Peninsula Power Company’s integrated resource plan, including a 125-megawatt solar power contract as the lowest-cost energy supply option, according to a Dec. 6 news release. The agency recommended removal of the company’s proposal to build a 20-megawatt natural gas-fired unit, and called for a more robust…