solar energy Archives - Institute for Local Self-Reliance

13 Nov 2018

Solar Co-ops Support Clean Energy Advances in D.C. — Episode 64 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by John Farrell | Date: 13 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

How does a growing, national nonprofit organization help homeowners complete the circle between clean energy ownership and policy advocacy? ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell talks with Anya Schoolman of Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in this October 2018 recording about two major clean energy policies before the Washington, D.C., city council. SUN’s solar co-op model has spread to 10 states, and builds the constituency for clean energy policy.… Read More

24 Oct 2018

Minnesota Regulators Give Boost to Residential Community Solar

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

In a decision earlier this month, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a 1.5-cent adder to the per-kilowatt-hour compensation offered to residential subscribers of community solar projects offered in Xcel Energy territory in Minnesota. The Commission’s decision gives hope that residential participation will continue, with the adder effective for projects started in 2019 and 2020.… Read More

24 Oct 2018

Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Minnesota’s community solar program hit a record 445 megawatts of operational capacity in October 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

19 Oct 2018

In New Op-Ed, ILSR’s John Farrell Notes Major Shifts in Technology and Decision-making Power Are Transforming Energy Sector

by Marie Donahue | Date: 19 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Media Coverage | 0

In an October 2018 op-ed featured in PV Magazine, John Farrell, ILSR Co-Director and Director of the Energy Democracy Initiative, argues how important shifts in both technology and decision-making are transforming the energy sector.… Read More

11 Oct 2018

Video: Advancing Energy Democracy with Community Renewable Energy

by John Farrell and Maria McCoy | Date: 11 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

This 30-minute video is a companion guide to the NAACP’s Just Energy Toolkit. It begins with an interview on the site of a community solar project in north Minneapolis, a project that in many ways epitomizes energy democracy.… Read More

10 Oct 2018

Voices of 100%: Atlanta Works Toward Clean Energy for All — Episode 62 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by Marie Donahue and John Farrell | Date: 10 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

Across the U.S., over 80 cities have made commitments to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. As the largest such city in the Southeast, the city of Atlanta has been a regional leader in evaluating how to succeed. In our fourth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, Atlanta’s Energy Programs Manager Megan O’Neil speaks with John Farrell about the city’s relationship with its incumbent utility, what mix of renewable and energy efficiency makes sense, and how robust community engagement has helped ensure all residents will access the benefits of renewables and can help shape their city’s energy future.… Read More

3 Oct 2018

New Jersey Publishes Model Community Solar Program Rules

by John Farrell | Date: 3 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Joining 14 other states, New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities recently rolled out its draft community solar (or “shared renewables”) program rules. The program captures many of the best aspects of community solar programs, including generous compensation, project sizes, and a focus on access for low-income customers.… Read More

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

25 Sep 2018

How Your Local Electeds Can Support Clean Energy

by John Farrell | Date: 25 Sep 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Municipal elections often fall off the radar during national ones, but cities retain a surprising amount of power over their energy future. What can you ask a local candidate or elected official to pursue? The following list of 11 resolutions, actions, and rules can make your local city council or mayor a clean energy champion.… Read More