Maine Community Based Renewable Energy Production Incentive

The Maine Community Based Renewable Energy Production Incentive launched in 2010 and contains many components of a feed-in tariff and is one of the few policies to (laudably) focus on community-owned projects.  But the one-size-fits-all price for every renewable energy technology means it lacks the power to encourage a diversity of renewable energy technologies and may fail to encourage project development.  As a result, the program scored an ‘F’  in feed-in tariff expert Paul Gipe’s recent analysis of North American feed-in tariff policies.… Read More

Gainesville Solar Feed-in Tariff

Gainesville Regional Utilities, the municipal utility serving the Florida city of Gainesville, launched its solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff program in early 2009.  The city’s program set a cap of 4 MW of solar PV through 2016 and the program is fully subscribed.  Customers will still have the option of installing solar with the utility’s rebate and net metering the electricity.… Read More

Vermont standard offer renewable energy program

In May 2009, Vermont adopted a standard offer program that serves as a small feed-in tariff.  Although the program scored only a ‘D’  in feed-in tariff expert Paul Gipe’s recent analysis of North American feed-in tariff policies, it does contain many of the key components of a feed-in tariff policy.… Read More

Oregon Solar PV Production Incentive

The state of Oregon established a production incentive for renewable energy systems in 2009 and the state’s Public Utility Commission finalized rules in 2010 that will allow for up to 25 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to be installed by 2014.  Although proponents of the legislation had hoped to develop a robust feed-in tariff in Oregon, the actual program has only small elements of a feed-in tariff.  … Read More

Regional Plug-In Electric Vehicle Planning – Southern California

This effort was announced in December 2009 and is a nice example of the start of a regional effort to do some comprehensive planning to facilitate the smooth transition to electric vehicles. The initiative is a collaboration between cities, utilities, automakers and others in the Southern California region who will work actively to support and build the necessary infrastructure for the commercial launch of electric vehicles.… Read More

Electric Vehicle Charging Rates

With respect to charging electric vehicles (EVs), the ideal scenario would result in a maximum amount of renewable energy flowing into the vehicle’s battery packs while at the same time utilizing our existing infrastructure (power plants, transmission/distribution lines) as efficiently as possible.   To meet this scenario, the timing of charging up vehicles must be compared to the timing of power plant

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Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Requirement

The idea here would be to get a head start on the emerging market penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) and enact legislation that opens a regulatory proceeding covering electric utility related EV issues.  At a minimum, the legislation should require utilities to develop a coordinated infrastructure plan for EVs. Issues included would be: ensuring interoperability of EV equipment, requirements for infrastructure, cost recovery, smart grid integration, time-of-use (TOU) pricing, other rate and billing issues.  The proceeding should also bring to light a clear picture of what power plants will be operating during the likeliest charging periods for EVs.… Read More

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