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Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 18, 2017

Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesotas-community-solar-program/

Update November 2016: From now on, we’ll keep the most recent data on the program’s development in this post I’ve been asked a lot of questions about Minnesota’s community solar program over the past couple years and it’s time to make one thing clear: Minnesota’s program is the best in the country. Why? Because there… Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 30, 2017

Minnesota Has the Best Community Solar Program — Here’s Why

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesota-has-the-best-community-solar-program-heres-why/

This article was originally published on MinnPost on August 21st, 2017 in its Community Voice submission section. As a long-time advocate for community-scale investment in renewable energy, I’m often asked about community solar: a burgeoning part of the solar industry and a model for its growth. In community solar programs, multiple households or businesses near a common… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Aug 22, 2017

Minnesota Utility Takes Baby Steps Toward Broadening Community Solar Access

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesota-utility-takes-baby-steps-toward-broadening-community-solar-access/

Minnesota’s largest utility is planning a pilot community solar program specifically targeted to low-income customers, an important first step in bridging significant gaps in accessing the benefits of the state’s burgeoning clean energy economy. Xcel Energy filed a program outline with Minnesota regulators last month, which drew general support from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 2, 2017

How States and Cities Can Unlock Local Clean Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/how-states-and-cities-can-unlock-local-clean-energy/

Yesterday’s news about the Paris Climate Accords has provoked a groundswell of commitments for local action on climate change. But what can cities actually do in the absence of federal support? A lot. In fact, with the help of states, cities have many avenues to boost their economies and drive down energy costs with local… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on May 19, 2017

Pioneering Community Solar in the Granite State – Episode 44 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/pioneering-community-solar-in-the-granite-state-episode-44-of-local-energy-rules-podcast/

New Hampshire, home to some of the highest utility costs in the nation, could be fertile ground for community energy projects that promote lower-cost, renewable generation — especially after investors in one shared solar array pioneered a strategy to promote greater local ownership. Regulatory and legal roadblocks forced solar advocates in Keene to develop a… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Apr 22, 2017

Residential Subscribers in Focus as Minnesota Weighs Community Solar Incentives

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesota-community-solar-adder-puc-2017/

In its filing on providing community solar incentives for residential subscribers, the Department outlined a loose framework for the “adder,” designed to encourage community solar developers to pursue projects accessible that target residential subscribers. The agency pitched an incentive worth $0.025 per kilowatt-hour, to be phased out over time. The residential adder discussion is part… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Mar 23, 2017

Unlocking Universal Access to Community Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/unlocking-universal-access-to-community-solar/

Community solar development is growing nationwide as utilities, recognizing market demand, think bigger than pilot-scale projects. A recent forecast from Greentech Media Research predicted 410 megawatts (MW) of community solar will be installed this year — nearly double the 218 MW that went online in 2016. Community Solar Outlook: Third Party-Led vs. Utility-Led Markets These… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Nov 22, 2016

Amid Murky Energy Outlook, Some Reasons To Be Thankful [Infographic]

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/energy-thankful/

Without a clear policy plan from President-Elect Donald Trump, the nation’s energy future hangs in the balance. But in a year that saw an influx of state-level ballot initiatives targeting action in the energy sector, a murky (or hostile) federal landscape will only deepen calls for action in statehouses and city halls. Despite the unclear… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Oct 7, 2016

In Maryland, Community Solar Pioneers Offer Blueprint

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/in-maryland-community-solar-pioneers-offer-blueprint/

A pair of rooftop solar arrays in Maryland spotlight how pioneering communities can pool their resources to expand local access to renewable energy. These “community solar” projects are an increasingly popular approach as electricity customers renounce utilities’ reliance on fossil fuel and look for ways to cut their energy costs. This is part of a… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 16, 2016

Maryland Scores 3 out of 4 on Principles for a Good Community Solar Program

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/maryland-scores-3-out-of-4-on-principles-for-a-good-community-solar-program/

Maryland is the latest state to adopt a community solar program, and a review of the program rules shows that the state is serious about getting community solar right. It meets at least 3 of the 4 principles for a good program from our Beyond Sharing report on community renewable energy. Updated 9/13/16 to clarify… Continue reading