SOLAR POWER

New Funding to Modernize Rural Electric Infrastructure

The USDA has announced new funding to modernize the rural electric infrastructure across 15 states. On September 9, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a funding of more than $518M to rural electric cooperatives to modernize the rural electric infrastructure, increase electric system reliability, and improve electricity delivery across 15 states.  The funding,…...

2015 Solarize Massachusetts Program Open for Participation

The 2015 round of the Solarize Massachusetts Program seeks applications from Massachusetts communities by October 15. On September 9, 2014, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2015 Solarize Massachusetts program with an October 15 response deadline.  MassCEC and DOER…...

[Report] NY REV Straw Proposal Recommends Utility-Owned Distributed Energy Resources

The New York Department of Public Service (DPS) staff has issued a Straw Proposal on achieving the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Track One goals. The straw proposal reaffirms the initial April 24 proceeding which identified utilities’ role in managing a distributed system platform (DSP) and growing the state’s existing Distributed Energy Resource (DER) assets. Despite…...

Rhode Island Launches Solarize to Lower Solar Installation Costs

Rhode Island has launched the Solarize program, a municipal-based initiative aimed to facilitate low-cost rooftop solar installations. On September 2, 2014, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI), Office of Energy Resources (OER), and non-profit partner SmartPower announced the launch of Solarize Rhode Island, a municipal-based program aimed to facilitate low-cost rooftop solar installations.  The…...

California and Quebec Join Carbon Markets to Minimize Compliance Burden

On August 7, 2014, California and Quebec held a successful practice joint carbon emissions allowance auction in preparation for the first ever cross-border auction on November 2014. Despite varied participation levels in Quebec’s first four auctions, activity is expected to increase with program maturity and the upcoming 2015 compliance deadline.The programs – under the Western…...

Hawaiian Electric Companies Propose Comprehensive Energy Plans

Hawaiian Electric Companies have proposed comprehensive electric energy plans with a goal to achieve more than 65 percent renewable energy by 2030.   On August 26, 2014, the Hawaiian Electric Companies – Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light Company – proposed electric energy plans in response to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC)…...

New York’s Solar Programs Merge under NY-Sun Incentive Program

The NY-Sun Incentive Program, a conflation of New York’s multiple solar programs, aims to establish a self-sustaining solar industry by stimulating private sector participation. On August 21, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the transition of New York’s solar programs to the single NY-Sun Incentive program to support solar industry growth through the…...

Vermont’s First Solar Microgrid Project with Battery Backup

Vermont’s Green Mountain Power has begun work on an innovative solar project that combines energy storage and microgrid integration. On August 12, 2014, Green Mountain Power (GMP), a Vermont electricity utility, announced breaking ground on the $10M Stafford Hill Solar Farm project in Rutland, Vermont.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it is the…...

IRS Clarifies Eligibility Criteria for Renewable Energy Tax Credits

IRS Notice 2014-46 provides additional eligibility clarification for renewable energy tax credits and lowers the Safe Harbor requirement from 5 percent to 3 percent. On August 8, 2014, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance (Notice 2014-26) providing additional clarification regarding eligibility requirements for the renewable electricity production tax credit (PTC)…...