SOLAR POWER
Multiple energy industries rely on federal tax incentives to spur private investment in commercializing renewable technologies. However, the periodic expirations of these tax credits have led to business uncertainty and an inability to make long-term planning decisions. The most recent Senate extender bill – the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act of 2014…...
The final solicitation under the 2012 NY-Sun initiative has made $60M available for 200kW+ solar PV systems. On May 13, 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $60M in funding under the third round of NY-Sun Competitive PV initiative for solar projects at business, industry, and institutional sites that are large energy users. The funding opportunity,…...
In 2013, New York Power Authority (NYPA) produced approximately 27.8B kilowatt-hours, approximately 20 percent of the state’s power. Approximately 70 percent of this power came from clean, renewable hydropower. NYPA, the nation’s largest state-owned power organization, is at the forefront of innovative energy, environmental, and economic development initiatives. As a leading provider of low-cost electricity,…...
New York’s fast-evolving energy industry is focused on preparing for a future in which new technologies present broad opportunities to modernize energy systems in ways that could significantly increase resiliency. In June 2013, New York unveiled a comprehensive plan to increase infrastructure and building resilience including initiatives to mitigate weather-related impacts. These initiatives are designed…...
Since the turn of the century, increased scrutiny has been placed on the U.S. electric grid. The threat of weather disruption, physical and cyber-attacks, and decreased regional power generation capacity due to emissions regulations are key factors framing the debate over how to achieve power security and supply. Overview In 2012, Hurricane Sandy exposed electric…...
On February 5, 2014, The New York Green Bank (NYGB) issued its first solicitation for project funding. With project funding commencing, NYGB aims to create a sustainable stream of private capital to replace intermittent grants and subsidies from state and federal sources, and be the first U.S. Green Bank to target $1 billion in capitalization…....
DOE has announced $15M in funding to support affordable solar development in communities. On April 17, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $15M in funding for community solar development as part of the administration’s goal to double renewable energy generation by 2020. The Solar Market Pathways funding opportunity, provided under the 2011 DOE SunShot…...
DOE has released a draft solicitation for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that could provide up to $4B in loan guarantees. On April 16, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a draft loan guarantee solicitation for innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Renewable Energy and…...
On January 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission officially entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will provide solutions for overlapping jurisdiction and sharing information of mutual interest. Overview On March 5, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced…...
The Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act would create small-denomination treasury bonds to fund clean energy incentives. On April 8, 2014, Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2014, aimed to create treasury savings bonds – modeled after the victory bonds sold during World War II –…...
DOE has released a five-year Strategic Plan outlining priorities to address the nation’s energy, security, economic, and environmental challenges. On April 7, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released its Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 to advance its mission of enhancing U.S. security and economic growth through transformative science, technology, and market solutions to address energy,…...
The solar energy industry is disrupting the traditional one-way power flow utility model. To account for this, utilities and states are working together on creative energy compensation and tariff policies. Overview On March 12, 2014, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the nation’s first statewide value of solar tariff (VOST), a methodology that will…...