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Community Solar Tracker

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

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

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

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

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


How Utilities Neglect Certain Customers — Episode 189 of Local Energy Rules

How Utilities Neglect Certain Customers — Episode 189 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

August 2, 2023

Alex Hill discusses a report on utility redlining in electric distribution, the impacts of inadequate grid infrastructure, and how the report helped make a case against the utility’s proposed rate increase.READ MORE


13 States Flunk This Standard Test — Episode 188 of Local Energy Rules

13 States Flunk This Standard Test — Episode 188 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

July 19, 2023

Mari Hernandez explains why we need transparent and efficient interconnection standards, how the regulatory landscape can adapt to new technologies, and where IREC’s Freeing the Grid initiative can help.READ MORE


Utilities Gamble With Household Money — Episode 187 of Local Energy Rules

Utilities Gamble With Household Money — Episode 187 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

July 5, 2023

Tony Bartelme discusses how utilities have wagered and lost billions of customer dollars, why customers are on the hook when utilities take financial risks, and how unhappy customers can counter utility power grabs.READ MORE


New Power Generation Quarterly: 2023 Q1

New Power Generation Quarterly: 2023 Q1

Maria McCoy

June 28, 2023

Eight gigawatts of new power generation capacity came online in the first quarter of 2023. For the third quarter in a row, over half of new generation was solar power (4.5 GW) with the rest from fossil gas (2 GW) and wind (1.5 GW).READ MORE


How Cities Can Steer State Action — Episode 186 of Local Energy Rules

How Cities Can Steer State Action — Episode 186 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

June 21, 2023

Stacy Miller explains how she represents the city of Minneapolis in state forums, including the Public Utilities Commission, and what’s at stake in decisions made by the state.READ MORE


National Community Solar Programs Tracker

National Community Solar Programs Tracker

Maria McCoy

June 20, 2023

20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2023 Q1) shows the capacity built in seven states: Colo., Ill., Mass., Md., Minn., N.J., and N.Y. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.READ MORE


Report: How Local Ownership of Clean Energy Boosts Benefits, Busts Barriers, and Builds Power

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


Scoring Justice in Clean Energy Standards — Episode 185 of Local Energy Rules

Scoring Justice in Clean Energy Standards — Episode 185 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

June 7, 2023

Haley Havens explains the ways that states can advance equity through their clean energy standards and how Minnesota’s 2023 standard performs on the Initiative for Energy Justice’s scorecard.READ MORE


Minnesota’s Community Solar Program

Minnesota's Community Solar Program

Maria McCoy

June 1, 2023

10 years after Minnesota enabled community solar, a 2023 policy has expanded the program. It also introduced new rules and limitations. This post explains the policy and compiles additional Minnesota community solar resources.READ MORE


Proof in the Public Takeover Pudding — Episode 184 of Local Energy Rules

Proof in the Public Takeover Pudding — Episode 184 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

May 24, 2023

Randy Knight explains how the Winter Park, Fla., overcame utility opposition to create a publicly-owned electric utility and shares his advice to other cities. Portions of this interview were released as part of last year’s series on public power.READ MORE