Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best
Minnesota’s community solar program hit 688 megawatts in May 2020, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about half as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant!… Read More
D.C. Neighbors Unite to Fight for Solar Rights for All — Episode 103 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Yesenia Rivera of United Neighbors. The two take a deep dive into the mission and success of SUN in expanding solar access for all in D.C.… Read More
National Community Solar Programs Tracker
Sixteen states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy development. This quarterly update (2019 Q4) shows the capacity built in states with active programs: Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.… Read More
The State(s) of Distributed Solar — 2019 Update
More states are prioritizing solar, but how much of it is coming from smaller, distributed sources? In this 2019 update, we evaluate the status of state solar markets and whether they are helping communities build local wealth through distributed energy.… Read More
Webinar: Equitable Community Solar
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance hosted a webinar exploring a February 2020 report on Equitable Community Solar. Watch the recorded webinar, in which co-authors Jonathan Welle and Timothy DenHerder Thomas walk through the report.… Read More
Designing a Rooftop Solar Alternative in Sacramento
Although California now requires new residential construction to include solar, the mandate allows community solar subscriptions to substitute. ILSR submitted these comments to the California Energy Commission as it reviewed the first utility-proposed substitute program, Neighborhood SolarShares, by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.… Read More
Report: Designing Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial and Economic Equity
This white paper, put together by a team of community solar specialists, offers guidance for those working to establish equitable community solar programs. It details 30 policy/program guidelines for municipal utility administrators, policymakers, and advocates of accessible solar for all.… Read More
California Community Ignites Choice Model and Stays in the Driver’s Seat — Episode 98 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jessica Tovar, Coordinator of the East Bay Clean Power Alliance. Tovar and Farrell talked in December 2018 about East Bay Community Energy and the necessity of local energy generation developed with input from the community.… Read More
How Can Your State Get an “A” Community Power Score?
What policies make a state a champion of local, renewable energy? This post walks through models of the best policies in each of the eight areas covered in the Community Power Scorecard.… Read More