SOLAR POWER
EPA’s Clean Power Plan, regional programs, and continued solar installation growth aim to improve state-level resource and grid reliability. The proposed Clean Power Plan and regional reliability programs will continue to influence an energy mix shift and electric system improvements in the coming years. The energy mix shift is also being pushed by fuel and…...
Demand response (DR) performance in wholesale power markets has improved over the past six years, in part as a result of multiple FERC Orders. Removal of DR from organized electricity markets would favor generators through increased sales; this could lead to higher associated emissions and peak power prices. The Solicitor General has until January 15 to file…...
Arizona’s Tucson Electric Power has received approval for a solar program that allows participants to use solar power with no installation or maintenance costs. On December 18, 2014, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) announced that it has received the Arizona Corporation Commission’s (ACC) approval for its Residential Solar Program – an program that allows customers to…...
Final U.S. Commerce Department antidumping and countervailing tariffs on solar PV imports from China and Taiwan a win for domestic manufacturers. On December 16, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its final affirmative determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) products from China and Taiwan; and…...
Governor Cuomo has announced the 2014 REDC awards including funding for sustainability projects under the Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo awarded $709.2M for 852 statewide economic and community development projects through the Regional Economic Development Council’s (REDC) fourth round of funding. Established in 2011, the REDC…...
Governor Cuomo has announced five initiatives consistent with the REV strategy to advance the local clean energy industry and modernize utility sector operations. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new clean energy initiatives consistent with the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to spur innovation and investment, improve customer choice…...
Utilities are increasingly pursuing rate design reform to earn revenue as kilowatt-hour demand growth flattens. As net energy-metered residential solar PV installation growth continues, utilities will be challenged with building and maintaining infrastructure with diminishing revenue streams. The fixed charge and net energy metering NEM compensation debate will continue as utilities fight for sustained revenue…...
Approval of Con Edison’s BQDM Program is a significant step for the utility to pursue non-traditional infrastructure investments to meet local demand. On December 12, 2014, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an order in Case 14-E-0302 approving Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.’s (Con Edison) Brooklyn/Queens Demand Management (BQDM) Program to address overload…...
According to the SEIA report, the U.S. installed 1,354 MW of solar PV in Q3 2014, a 41 percent increase over Q3 2013. On December 9, 2014, GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a report analyzing U.S. solar market performance across three segments – utility-scale, residential, and non-residential – during Q3…...
Federal tax incentives, strong state renewable portfolio standards, and associated renewable energy certificate programs facilitate regional installation growth. New England states must continuously analyze and update their RPS policies to ensure renewable energy growth, as developers currently rely on the standards and associated REC markets for project demand and financing. With federal and state policies…...
Governor Cuomo has launched Community Solar NY – a new component of the $1B NY-Sun initiative – aimed to boost solar deployment across communities. On December 5, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched Community Solar NY to support affordable community projects under the NY-Sun initiative. The $1B NY-Sun initiative – administered by the…...
The House has passed a one-year extension of several tax provisions including the renewable energy production tax credit and several biofuel industry incentives. On December 3, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (H.R. 5771), a one-year tax extender package for several tax relief provisions that expired at…...