Could the Health Benefits of Renewable Energy Cover Your Electric Bill?

Date: 12 Nov 2019 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Coal and gas-fired power stations release toxins into the air, increasing rates of asthma, respiratory diseases, and heart attacks. In this post, ILSR estimates the portion of electricity prices covered by the public health benefits of renewable energy alternatives. … Read More

Is Your Utility Ready? New Report Says Local Solar Could Power 10% of Country in 10 Years

Date: 2 Jan 2013 | posted in: Energy, Press Release | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Minneapolis, MN —Within a decade, more than 35 million buildings may be generating their own solar electricity (without subsidies) at prices lower than their utility offers, sufficient to power almost 10% of the country.

That’s the powerful headline from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s latest report, Commercial Rooftop Revolution. Despite the opportunity, utilities, regulators, and policy markers are largely unprepared for the surge of local solar power.

Read the report, view the interactive map, and more

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Clean Break Inspires Americans to Pursue “Energy Change”

Date: 14 Nov 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 1 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Friend and renewable energy journalist Osha Gray Davidson released a book today called Clean Break, detailing the German Energiewende (translation: energy change).  It’s a story of how the Germans systematically shifted to clean energy, finding as they proceeded that the possibilities were greater, the costs lower, and the benefits for ordinary citizens more prodigious than anyone … Read More

U.S. CLEAN Explanation and Update

Date: 2 Jul 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This short presentation distills the definition and status of U.S. CLEAN (“feed-in tariff”) programs given in our full report.  Click below to watch the slideshow. U.S. CLEAN Programs – 1.21 Gigawatts! from John Farrell You can also read the full report in PDF, or get it for Kindle, Nook, or your Apple iDevice.

What Is Holding Back Solar Feed-In-Tariff Programs In The U.S. Market?

Date: 25 Jun 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Media Coverage | 1 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Solar Industry Magazine, June 21, 2012 Feed-in tariffs (FITs) have spurred the installation of more than three-quarters of global solar capacity. Germany’s FIT – perhaps one of the best-known programs – has led to the development of more than 50,000 MW of solar power and wind power domestically since its inception in 1990. But despite this … Read More

Report: U.S. CLEAN Programs – Where Are We Now? What Have We Learned?

Date: 11 Jun 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 7 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance identifies all of the existing CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) programs in the United States (also known as feed-in tariffs) and examines the lessons learned from the early adopters. Download the report [pdf] Read the ebook version Executive Summary CLEAN programs (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) provide … Read More

Report: Solar Power for Minnesota

Date: 8 Jun 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This report, done for the Solar Works for Minnesota campaign, explores the value of solar power on schools, libraries, and other public buildings in Minnesota.  It was co-authored by John Farrell of ILSR and Christina Mills of IEER. Download the Report Highlights Minnesotans spend more than $20 billion dollars every year on these energy imports. With … Read More