SOLAR POWER
The Clean Energy Resources Bill would require minimum annual clean energy contracts of 18.9 million megawatt-hours of electricity for 20-25 years. Massachusetts’ H.3968, An Act Relative to Clean Energy Resources, introduced by Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D-MA) and Sen. Barry R. Finegold (D-MA) on June 18, would require electricity distribution companies to solicit proposals for…...
During a Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, California Governor Brown signed agreements with Mexico to enhance cooperation on environmental issues and encourage cross-border clean energy investments. On July 28, 2014, California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy, and Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala…...
The U.S. Commerce Department has announced preliminary antidumping tariffs ranging from 26-165 percent on certain solar PV products produced in China and Taiwan. On July 25, 2014, the Department of Commerce (DOC) released its preliminary findings in the antidumping duty investigations of imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) products from China and Taiwan. DOC…...
Massachusetts’ HB 4185 would boost solar industry growth by removing net metering caps and by creating a declining block solar incentive program. On July 24, 2014, a group of 54 Massachusetts-based companies sent a letter to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in support of HB 4185 – An Act Relative to Net Metering and Solar Power. The letter emphasized…...
Revisions to New York’s Main Tier RPS will increase contract lengths for large-scale renewable projects from 10 years to 20 years, providing greater investor certainty. On July 2, 2014, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) announced major changes to the state’s Main Tier Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program to promote large-scale renewable projects…....
The Breakfast Series’ Solar session emphasized an industry in transition. The solar industry looks to continue its progress from a burgeoning niche market to a stand-alone provider of cost-competitive renewable energy, and the tipping point may be arriving very soon. Moderated by EnerKnol’s Janet Lin, the event panel included Laurence Mackler, Founder & CEO, Solaire…...
ARPA-E has announced $33M in funding under its new REBELS program to support innovative distributed generation technologies. On June 19, 2014, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $33M in funding for 13 projects through its new Reliable Electricity Based on Electrochemical Systems (REBELS) program. The new projects will focus on…...
DOE has awarded $100M to accelerate scientific breakthroughs for a fundamentally new energy economy. On June 18, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $100M award across 32 projects – as second round of funding for Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) – to support innovative energy research that will enable fundamental advances in energy generation, supply, transmission,…...
NYSERDA has announced higher incentives to promote net zero energy standards in the residential construction market. On June 6, 2014, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the availability of significantly higher incentives under its Low-rise Residential New Construction Program including first incentives for homes designed for net zero energy performance…....
The EPA stressed State flexibility in its Clean Power Plan to reduce emissions 30 percent by 2030. Overview On June 2, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its Clean Power Plan to set carbon pollution guidelines for existing power plants and emission standards for modified and reconstructed power plants. The proposal is key…...
The New York State Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative aims to answer the question of how to proceed with New York’s energy future in the face of aging electric generating plants and the need for a more resilient energy infrastructure. Overview The initiative – announced by Governor Cuomo in April 2014 – tasks the…...
DOE has announced $10M in funding for new concentrating solar power technologies highlighting progress of the five most innovative plants in the southwestern U.S. On May 21, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report titled “2014: The Year of Concentrating Solar Power” highlighting the progress of five major concentrating solar power (CSP) deployment…...