In Depth
Report: How Local Ownership of Clean Energy Boosts Benefits, Busts Barriers, and Builds Power
Katie Kienbaum
June 14, 2023
ILSR's new report, Advantage Local: Why Local Energy Ownership Matters, breaks down how locally owned clean energy can maximize economic benefits for households and communities while putting power back in the hands of people. READ MORE
Community Solar Tracker
Maria McCoy
September 21, 2023
ILSR tracks community solar capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership. This quarterly update (2023 Q1) shows the capacity built in seven states, with a focus on projects in investor-owned utility service territory. READ MORE
The State(s) of Distributed Solar — 2022 Update
Maria McCoy
April 19, 2023
How much of the U.S. solar fleet is made up of smaller, distributed sources that help communities build local wealth? This 2022 update examines the size of state solar markets and the saturation of distributed and community solar systems. READ MORE
Recently Posted
Community Solar Tracker
Maria McCoy
September 21, 2023
ILSR tracks community solar capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership. This quarterly update (2023 Q1) shows the capacity built in seven states, with a focus on projects in investor-owned utility service territory. READ MORE
Don’t Follow California’s Lead on Rooftop Solar — Episode 192 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
September 13, 2023
Sachu Constantine explains the obstacles and opportunities arising for the electric grid as customers become generators and what California got wrong in its 2022 net metering decision. READ MORE
The Anti-Competitive Tricks up Utility Sleeves — Episode 191 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
August 30, 2023
Seth Handy explains how utilities have, through loopholes in federal guidance and friends on public regulatory bodies, protected their own interests at the expense of clean energy projects. READ MORE
Portland Funds Community-Led Clean Energy Projects — Episode 190 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
August 16, 2023
Maria Sipin discusses what the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund has accomplished, how volunteers from the community have shaped the fund’s priorities, and how to evaluate project success. READ MORE
Maryland’s Community Solar Program
Caroline Petterson
August 9, 2023
In 2023, Maryland passed legislation (HB 908) making permanent a successful 7-year community solar pilot program. The now-permanent program allows for unlimited capacity and requires that 40% of each project’s output serves low- to moderate-income subscribers. READ MORE