SOLAR POWER
President Obama has ordered a comprehensive energy strategy review to ensure federal policies continue to address changing energy requirements. On January 9, 2014, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) to enhance the federal government’s capability to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy to meet challenges posed by rising energy…...
Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State agenda includes new clean energy and climate initiatives with a grid resiliency and distributed generation focus. In his State of the State (SOS) address on January 8, 2014, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to clean energy, proposing significant initiatives to address energy and…...
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has opposed SolarWorld’s latest trade petition against anti-competitive trade practices of China and Taiwan, calling for negotiations to end the trade dispute. On December 31, 2013, international solar power system manufacturer SolarWorld filed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce…...
On December 10, 2013, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) proposed the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act, a two-year budget agreement that would provide $63B in sequester relief and reduce the fiscal deficit by $20B to $23B. Overview Lawmakers now have several weeks to appropriate the budget…...
With a $210M initial funding approval, NY Green Bank is poised to begin operations in early 2014. On December 19, 2013, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $210M initial capitalization for the $1B New York Green Bank, a market-based clean energy funding initiative launched in September. The funding includes $165M Public Service Commission…...
The Senate Finance Committee’s latest energy tax reform proposal focuses on technology-neutral and performance-based energy tax credits. On December 18, 2013, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released an energy tax reform draft that would overhaul federal energy-related tax incentives and consolidate provisions supporting renewable energy. Notably, the proposal focuses on establishing tax credits…...
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…...
The U.S. residential solar segment witnessed record growth in Q3 2013 with 31,000 individual installations. On December 10, 2013, GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a report analyzing U.S. solar market performance across 28 states and the District of Columbia during Q3 2013. According to the report, Q3 2013 represents the…...
New York State’s largest rooftop solar PV system connects to the Con Edison network through smart grid technology and computer-controlled remote monitoring. On December 9, 2013, NY State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of the state’s largest rooftop solar installation under the NY-Sun initiative. The 1.56 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system, installed at…...
Alternative energy project financiers are utilizing the YieldCo model to find new, cheaper sources of capital in 2013, as renewable tax credits set to expire. The YieldCo model is unlocking cash flow value from fast growing companies and providing attractive investment opportunities as money market funds, interest rates, and bond rates remain stagnant. Overview At…...
Development of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions are confronted by challenges including federal policy uncertainties jeopardizing grants and tax credits, state budget constraints, and insufficient capital markets. Several states are exploring ways to leverage public resources with innovative banking and financial mechanisms to facilitate large-scale deployment of low-carbon technologies. Overview Many federal energy subsidies…...
New York City’s largest solar facility to be deployed at Freshkills Park will increase the city’s current renewable capacity by 50 percent. On November 25, 2013, Mayor Bloomberg announced NYC’s largest solar energy facility will be installed at Freshkills Park, Staten Island. The 10 MW facility, with potential to generate five times more power than…...
