distributed solar Archives - Institute for Local Self-Reliance

27 Sep 2018

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update — 2018 Q2

by Marie Donahue | Date: 27 Sep 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

A large amount of new power generation capacity was added during the second quarter of 2018, but not in the form renewable or distributed generation advocates might hope, according to the latest update from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative. Our updated chart of new power plant capacity illustrates how growth in renewable energy is overshadowed by an increase in natural gas capacity and how distributed solar in particular stacks up.… Read More

17 Sep 2018

Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

by John Farrell | Date: 17 Sep 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Minnesota’s community solar program hit a record 435 megawatts of operational capacity in September 2018. We note a new finding, that the total queue has actually shrunk in size since January 2017. Two charts show the progress of the program.… Read More

12 Jul 2018

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update — 2018 Q1

by Marie Donahue | Date: 12 Jul 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Using the latest available national data on new power generation through the first quarter of 2018, this recent analysis from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative illustrates how renewable energy and small-scale, distributed solar stack up against utility-scale and fossil fuel power plants in supplying the new electricity capacity for the nation.… Read More

22 May 2018

Community Power State Scorecard Comparison — 2018 vs. 2017

by Marie Donahue | Date: 22 May 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Earlier this spring, ILSR released its 2018 Community Power State Scorecard, revealing the best and worst states for local clean energy across the country. Did many states improve on their 2017 score? In this new comparison of state rankings, we take a closer look at which states have taken the lead, which are improving, and which have a lot more to do when it comes to creating a policy landscape that enables distributed energy.… Read More

14 May 2018

The State(s) of Distributed Solar — 2017 Update

by Marie Donahue | Date: 14 May 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Across the country, more states than ever are making solar energy—and distributed solar at that—a key part of their energy mix. But where have these gains been greatest, and what are the economic implications for residents from one state to the next? To answer these questions, an updated analysis of solar markets, using annual data from 2017, takes a closer look at the state-by-state share of distributed solar, highlighting which states have taken the lead to prioritize small-scale, local energy systems.… Read More

3 May 2018

Supporting Affordable Residential Access to Community Solar in Minnesota

by Marie Donahue | Date: 3 May 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

In April, ILSR submitted comments in support of affordable residential access to community solar for review by Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission. These comments concerned a proposed residential adder framework outlined as part of the state’s community solar program and Minnesota Department of Commerce Value of Solar calculation. We argue that, in a recent analysis submitted to the Commission by Xcel Energy, the utility exaggerated costs likely to be incurred under this new framework. Our comments support those made by allies such as Cooperative Energy Futures and advocate for adder calculations that ensure financeability and broad participation among residential subscribers to the state’s community solar program.… Read More

19 Apr 2018

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Annual Update — 2017

by Marie Donahue and John Farrell | Date: 19 Apr 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

The U.S. experienced relatively sluggish gains in total new power plant capacity in 2017, when compared to 2016, but it also saw another, more positive outcome: a notable surge in distributed solar. Using the latest available national data on power generation, this most recent look at data on annual and quarterly electricity generation nationwide from the Energy Democracy Initiative at ILSR illustrates how small-scale, distributed solar energy stacks up against its big, fossil fuel and utility-scale renewable energy competitors.… Read More

23 Mar 2018

States Agree: Third-Party Ownership Enables Distributed Solar, But What’s Next?

by Marie Donahue | Date: 23 Mar 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Compared with previous rankings of solar capacity, do states that allow third-party leases and power purchase agreements still dominate? The answer is yes, especially for distributed solar capacity. Every state in the top 10 in rooftop and small-scale solar still allows for third-party ownership.… Read More

2 Feb 2018

Community Solar and Value of Solar Under Review in Minnesota

by John Farrell | Date: 2 Feb 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

With a nation-leading community solar program, changes to the compensation scheme for participants shouldn’t be taken lightly. ILSR offered these comments to the MN Public Utilities Commission in February 2018 about preserving high values for the state’s “value of solar” calculation.… Read More