This week in Energy Democracy News:
Utilities are adapting and expanding their models of community solar; Electric vehicles are gaining popularity and will be the key to sustainable and clean cities; and a coalition of independent solar companies is harnessing its combined power to command more influence in the marketplace.
Featured Stories
Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging by Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive
“The community solar model is still evolving,” energy consultant Jill Cliburn told Utility Dive. Cliburn is project manager for the Department of Energy-backed Community Solar Value Project, a public-private partnership. “We have to move through a period of innovation, which is by nature a bit unfocused,” she said.
But that innovation is happening — for example, with community solar developers adding complementary attributes like energy storage or demand response to their systems.
Five Climate Truths Donald Trump Doesn’t Understand by The Editorial Board, The New York Times
The worldwide average cost of wind and solar power has fallen sharply over the last three years, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency. While these sources of energy make up a small portion of the overall system — for example, about 15 percent of electricity generated in the United States last year and 24 percent generated worldwide — they are growing fast: Two-thirds of generation capacity added globally last year came from renewable sources.
Electric buses are coming, and they’re going to help fix 4 big urban problems by David Roberts, Vox
New “Electric Avenue” Report Points To Tesla’s Leading Role, EVANNEX, Inside EVs
Three ways Michigan can lead on electric vehicles by Liesl Clark, Bridge
EV sales are up 16 percent this year. There are currently 13,203 EVs on the road in Michigan and 332 publicly available charging stations. Michigan ranks in the top half nationally for EVs and charging infrastructure, but falls behind states like California, New York and Florida, whose policies encourage driving electric. Those policies include zero-emission vehicle requirements, clean air requirements and energy storage mandates.
Working Together, Small Solar Firms Compete With Big-Name Rivals — Episode 45 Of Local Energy Rules Podcast by John Farrell, Clean Technica
Reminder: The Fight For 100% Renewable Is Political by John Farrell, Clean Technica
Minnesota Regulators Eye Subcommittee To Resolve Distributed Generation Disputes by John Farrell, Clean Technica
The disconnect between what customers want and what utilities offer exists in markets, rural and urban, nationwide. State regulators, which generally have broad oversight authority over how utilities address customer needs, tend to be the main arbiters in debates over what utilities should do, and how.
In a significant move toward easing such tensions, Minnesota regulators confirmed earlier this year they are considering forming a subcommittee specifically to handle conflicts sprouting from distributed generation projects. While the specific mandate of the prospective body remains murky, it would be designed to fill a gap in the regulatory process that leaves customers at a disadvantage.
How States & Cities Can Unlock Local Clean Energy by John Farrell, Clean Technica
Energy Democracy News Across the States
California
California solar pilot shows how renewables can provide grid services by Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive
California allocates $55M for energy storage in low income neighborhoods by Peter Maloney, Utility Dive
Colorado
First solar garden built to benefit low-income families by Cory Reppenhagen, KUSA
The Denver Housing Authority is getting into the solar gardening business. They are building a field of solar panels, at a remote location, that creates energy for low-income families.
The DHA is the first housing authority in the country to do this.
Florida
Solar co-op innovator expanding nationwide, aims to empower homeowners by Jim Pierobon, Southeast Energy News
Charging options in focus as Florida prepares for rise of electric vehicles by Robert Walton, Utility Dive
New Florida muni solar program cuts NEM rates, includes battery storage incentives by Robert Walton, Utility Dive
Florida utility rolls back net metering, boosts solar program by Brye Steeves, Southeast Energy News
Illinois
Clean Power Plan Repeal Won’t Stop Clean Energy Future in IL by Karen Hobbs, NRDC
Just as undeniable are the benefits of the booming clean energy economy, which is why Illinois will continue in a different direction. Late last year, Illinois passed the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), landmark legislation that will increase energy efficiency savings, build new, in-state renewable energy while investing in low-income communities and encourage job growth.
Innovative measurement tool will help Illinois calculate the benefits of smart-grid investments by Dick Munson, Environmental Defense Fund
Slowik: Cook County prepares for public solar energy projects in Southland by Ted Slowik, The Chicago Tribune
Cook County is a leading an effort for several significant solar-energy projects, including some that could potentially be installed on public buildings and land in the Southland by 2019.
What’s more, south suburban residents and business owners have the opportunity to “sponsor” communal solar panels and realize potential savings on their utility bills.
Indiana
Bloomington government to adopt solar power by Christine Fernando, Indiana Daily Student
Louisiana
Deadline to Submit Documentation for Solar Tax Credits Looms, Associated Press, U.S. News
Michigan
Three ways Michigan can lead on electric vehicles by Liesl Clark, Bridge MI
EV sales are up 16 percent this year. There are currently 13,203 EVs on the road in Michigan and 332 publicly available charging stations. Michigan ranks in the top half nationally for EVs and charging infrastructure, but falls behind states like California, New York and Florida, whose policies encourage driving electric. Those policies include zero-emission vehicle requirements, clean air requirements and energy storage mandates.
MSU officially open largest solar power array in North America by 6 News Web Staff, WLNS
Minnesota
St. Paul’s “Green Line” is getting greener by Neal St. Anthony, Star Tribune
Winona joins with solar energy company by Glen Olson, Winona Daily News
Nuns bring another solar array to Mankato by Mark Fischenich, Mankato Free Press
When a developer suggested in 2015 that the Mankato-based School Sisters of Notre Dame sign up as a subscriber for the power generated by a planned solar array in the area, the nuns had a more ambitious idea: build the array on our land.
Two years later, Innovative Power Systems of Roseville is beginning construction on a 1.3 megawatt solar array with roughly 40,000 solar panels capable of creating enough energy to power 165 average Minnesota homes.
Minnesota to recalculate sales tax for many home solar, wind systems by Tom Cherveny, Duluth News Tribune
Mississippi
State-subsidized solar panel maker to close in Mississippi by Associated Press, Miami Herald
Missouri
Arch Of The Covenant by Zoya Teirstein, Grist
Nevada
Las Vegas shines as a model for solar power by Jessica Mendoza, Christian Science Monitor
But in sunny southern Nevada, the focal point of change is solar energy. Last year Acciona, a global infrastructure and renewable energy company, unveiled a 400-acre, 64-megawatt solar power plant in Boulder City, just south of Las Vegas. The third-largest such plant in the world, the facility can power more than 14,000 homes a year – and helped the Las Vegas city government fulfill its promise to power all its municipal and public buildings entirely with renewable energy. The city has since been named among the nation’s top 10 metros leading the way on solar power.
New York
No Roof? No Problem. Community-Shared Solar Offers Solar Energy for All by Tina Trinh, VOA News
Head to the roof of the New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies and you’ll discover row upon row of solar photovoltaic panels.
The solar panels generate about 159 kilowatts of renewable energy, just a drop in New York City’s energy bucket, and are part of a citywide initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.
North Carolina
Utilities step up attempts to increase fixed charges, minimum bills by Christian Roselund, PV Magazine
Puerto Rico
Hurricane Irma Unleashes The Forces Of Privatization In Puerto Rico by Kate Aronoff, Angel Manuel Soto, Averie Timm, The Intercept
For struggling governments around the world, privatizing utilities has come to be seen as a kind of get-rich-quick scheme, offering an upfront infusion of cash to underfunded municipalities. Given Prepa’s size and that of its debt — $9 billion — it has been a long-standing target for privatizers, even before Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act last year to help rein in Puerto Rico’s mounting debt crisis.
Virginia
After epic corporate feud, energy giant Dominion emerges to dominate regulators, legislators By Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Wisconsin
Panel of experts discuss Madison’s clean energy initiative by Avery Aurand, The Badger Herald
Residents urge regulators to cap utility rates, profits during hearing in La Crosse by Chris Hubbuch, The La Crosse Tribune
Ribbon-cutting held for new Eau Claire solar garden by Ruth Wendlandt, WEAU
Nationwide Energy Democracy News
Electric buses are coming, and they’re going to help fix 4 big urban problems by David Roberts, Vox
Winter reliability strong, RTOs tell FERC, undermining DOE NOPR justification by Gavin Bade, Utility Dive
(Don’t) Fight The Power: How electricity competition excels in the Midwest by David Bahr, R Street
New connection technology is cutting cost of solar installation by Karen Uhlenhuth, Midwest Energy News
Utility customers in Ohio and Nebraska are among those taking advantage of a new and simpler technique for connecting solar arrays and other renewable energy systems to the grid.
ConnectDER, as it’s known, generally eliminates the need to enter a home and it greatly reduces the amount of electrical work required.
Taking Back Power: Public Power as a Vehicle Towards Energy Democracy by Johanna Bozuwa, The Next System Project
Solar Panels: 10 Midwestern Cities With the Most Potential by Ellen Chang, The Street
Five Climate Truths Donald Trump Doesn’t Understand by The Editorial Board, The New York Times
The worldwide average cost of wind and solar power has fallen sharply over the last three years, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency. While these sources of energy make up a small portion of the overall system — for example, about 15 percent of electricity generated in the United States last year and 24 percent generated worldwide — they are growing fast: Two-thirds of generation capacity added globally last year came from renewable sources.
The Potential Impact of Solar Tariffs in 12 Charts by Shayle Kann And Mj Shiao, GreenTech Media
GTM warns of solar installation declines ahead of ITC trade case remedy vote by Krysti Shallenberger, Utility Dive
Study: Utilities should get in the drivers seat on electric vehicle infrastructure by Kari Lydersen, Midwest Energy News
It’s widely accepted that electric vehicles will become increasingly popular and affordable in coming years, and utilities are trying to make sure their grids can handle an influx of vehicles plugged in.
But a recent study by the global consulting firm Deloitte argues that utilities should embrace electric vehicles even more aggressively, treating them almost like power plants and “batteries on wheels,” incorporating them into the fabric of their electricity delivery and generation systems and ideally into their rate-bases.
How Federal Grants Are Accelerating the Adoption of Electrified Mass Transit by Paul Stith, GreenTech Media
Utilities take note: Next generation utility-led community solar is emerging by Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive
“The community solar model is still evolving,” energy consultant Jill Cliburn told Utility Dive. Cliburn is project manager for the Department of Energy-backed Community Solar Value Project, a public-private partnership. “We have to move through a period of innovation, which is by nature a bit unfocused,” she said.
But that innovation is happening — for example, with community solar developers adding complementary attributes like energy storage or demand response to their systems.
Solar co-op innovator expanding nationwide, aims to empower homeowners by Jim Pierobon, Southeast Energy News
Solar installers press homeowners to buy ahead of tariff by Nichola Groom, Reuters
New “Electric Avenue” Report Points To Tesla’s Leading Role, EVANNEX, Inside EVs
Working Together, Small Solar Firms Compete With Big-Name Rivals — Episode 45 Of Local Energy Rules Podcast by John Farrell, Clean Technica
Reminder: The Fight For 100% Renewable Is Political by John Farrell, Clean Technica
Minnesota Regulators Eye Subcommittee To Resolve Distributed Generation Disputes by John Farrell, Clean Technica
The disconnect between what customers want and what utilities offer exists in markets, rural and urban, nationwide. State regulators, which generally have broad oversight authority over how utilities address customer needs, tend to be the main arbiters in debates over what utilities should do, and how.
In a significant move toward easing such tensions, Minnesota regulators confirmed earlier this year they are considering forming a subcommittee specifically to handle conflicts sprouting from distributed generation projects. While the specific mandate of the prospective body remains murky, it would be designed to fill a gap in the regulatory process that leaves customers at a disadvantage.
How States & Cities Can Unlock Local Clean Energy by John Farrell, Clean Technica
This article was originally posted at ilsr.org. For timely updates, follow John Farrell on Twitter or get the Energy Democracy weekly update.