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Cynthia

Black Rock Solar, Lower Income Solar Energy Pilot Program In Nevada, & Open Energy

by Cynthia February 28, 2016

written by Cynthia

Originally published on CleanTechnica.

Four elementary schools serving low-income communities in northern Nevada will blossom with greener classrooms. Classrooms with purer air and more direct exposure to solar panels and solar careers in the 21st-century studies. A recent press release shares that Nevada-based Black Rock Solar, a non-profit organization, is working with Open Energy, a commercial solar debt finance provider, for solar projects on this four elementary schools.

Black Rock Solar is committed to facilitating access to clean energy throughout diverse communities. The loan will enable the building of a 550-kilowatt project portfolio for the schools. Expressing the blessing and the trials that Open Energy cut through, to empower these schools, the press release notes, “It is usually incredibly difficult to get flexible construction funding for smaller sized commercial solar installations like ours, but Open Energy provided us with the opportunity to make these projects a reality,” said Patrick McCully, Executive Director of Black Rock Solar. “The Open Energy team is passionate about our mission to promote clean energy, and their simple, straightforward application process coupled with their innovation financing solution made them the perfect partner.”

As a non-profit, Black Rock Solar organization manifests low-cost clean energy services for “the non-profit, public, low-income and educational sectors with a focus on rural and tribal entities.” Going on: “Black Rock Solar has installed over six megawatts of solar power since 2007, providing more than $900,000 of combined savings annually on energy bills.”

“Empowering underserved communities” is not a light undertaking, and Black Rock Solar can’t do it alone. Luckily, in this case, Open Energy was there to help. “Affordable, clean energy is an important cause, and we are honored to take part in it by providing loan capital,” said Graham Smith, CEO of Open Energy. “We are very excited for students to learn about their school’s solar power system, inspiring a generation of clean energy enthusiasts.”

Black Rock Solar shares more in the following video:

The fresh approach of Open Energy cuts the time needed to finance commercial solar. Open Energy’s work involves an online marketplace lending model.

Schools — as the primary foundation for caring about the present and future of children, community, and ecological wellness — should always be at the forefront of progressive solutions, as in this case.

Black Hole Forms On Solar Net Metering In Nevada

Better Buildings Saves Over $1 Billion In Energy, Opens Online Solution Center

Solar Schools Create Learning, Saving Opportunities… Even in Great Britain

Image by Black Rock Solar

February 28, 2016 0 comment

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Future FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center, FPL’s Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

by Cynthia February 28, 2016

written by Cynthia

Originally published on CleanTechnica.

Last fall, SolarLove.org noted a bump in solar growth in Manatee County, Florida, with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) revealing 3 of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects were in development. Last week, FPL enjoyed the groundbreaking ceremony for the solar power plants. The most immediate to go online will be the FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center and the FPL Citrus Solar Energy Center, with clean energy hitting our grid by the end of 2016. The FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center is the third power plant in this trio, and it is actually where the groundbreaking took place.

Together, these solar power plants result in a tripling of FPL’s solar PV power capacity.

As solar news goes, this is good. Still, the question: can the state do better? The previous SolarLove article noted, “Of course, it would also be nice if Florida supported rooftop solar. However, as you probably know, the state has been very unsupportive of rooftop solar, not providing incentives for homeowners like other states provide, and not even allowing for third-party solar ownership and sales (i.e., not allowing companies like SolarCity, Sunrun, Vivint Solar, and Sungevity to come in and offer solar leases and PPAs).”

Florida isn’t close to being a leader in total installed solar power capacity, and the story is even worse if you look at solar power per capita or per TWh of electricity generation. This is despite the fact that its nickname is The Sunshine State.

FPL’s argument is simple “Large-scale solar is by far the most economical way to advance solar energy for the benefit of all of our customers.”

The FPL newsroom reminds us, though, that Florida was a leader of sorts for a bit: “Six years ago, not far from here, FPL commissioned what was then the largest photovoltaic solar power plant ever built in the United States with 90,000 solar panels,” said Eric Silagy, FPL president and CEO. “Fast-forward to 2016, and we’re extending our leadership role in the renewable energy space by installing 1 million new solar panels.”

A nice plus is that 250 people (during the construction phase of the 3 new solar energy “centers”) will find work. As employees will come from the local communities, more locals will find financial improvement.

Continuing, FPL writes:

The FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center will consist of more than 338,000 solar panels over 762 acres – enough to cover 577 football fields. The other two solar plants are:

FPL Citrus Solar Energy Center, which is being built on 841 acres in DeSoto County, Fla., near the site of FPL’s first large-scale solar power plant
FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center, now under construction on 440 acres in Charlotte County, Fla., as part of the new Babcock Ranch sustainable community
When completed, each of the three new solar plants will have 74.5 megawatts of solar capacity.
These plants, along with several community-based, small-scale solar arrays and commercial-scale solar research installations that FPL is building, will combine for a total of more than 225 megawatts of new solar capacity by the end of this year. (current totals approximately 110 megawatts)

The environmentalist community in Florida is quite pleased with the progress. “This is a big step forward for our state and for the future of renewable energy in Florida,” said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida. “FPL’s three solar plants help reduce the use of fossil fuels, prevent the emission of thousands of tons of carbon each year, and save millions of gallons of water.”

Check out this interesting graphic below, which was generated by typing in my zip code here to pull up a chart of Florida’s energy sources. Florida needs a lot more black and aqua on the graph. As one can see below, The Sunshine State is lagging behind the rest of the nation on renewables.

If you are in Florida — make sure you signed the grassroots push for a Florida constitutional amendment to grow solar power further.

Related Stories:

Florida Ballot Initiative

Florida Public Service Commission OKs FPL Plan To Purchase & Shut Down 250 MW Coal Plant, As Means Of Getting Out Of Costly PPA

3 FPL Solar Projects Advancing

Utilities & EVs (EV Obsession Video)

Top image, FPL’s Desoto solar plant, via FPL

February 28, 2016 0 comment

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How North Carolina Schools Could Save Millions (Hint: With Solar)

by Cynthia February 8, 2016

written by Cynthia

Originally published on CleanTechnica.

Below are highlights from two new reports commissioned by the Repower Our Schools Coalition. The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NC CETC) released information that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools & Durham Public Schools would conserve millions of dollars with solar power, while promoting more STEM education potential for the students. Along with the saved money, the schools would meet 100% of their electricity needs from a non-emitting energy source. The schools’ solar panels would “save millions over the next 25 years” … if installed immediately.

Greenpeace explains that developments in solar policies in the state, such as the allowance of third-party energy sales and upgrades to net metering policy, make it doable for CMS to save “$54.6 million and DPS to save $16.3 million over 25 years.” That comes to an 11% savings. Translation — money for classrooms, for quality teachers, for aspiring students, and all hand in hand with environmental goals.

Here’s an infographic illustrating the benefits of third-party sales and metering from repowerourschools.com:

Education is intrinsic with solutions to ecological ills. Schools should be some of the first places to make the clean energy transition.

“This assessment shows that it is absolutely possible to meet the electricity needs of both Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Durham school districts with solar installations at schools,” said Clean Air Carolina Program Director Terry Lansdell. “By doing so, we can save schools significant funding over the next 25 years to reinvest in our students, teachers, and the classroom.”

Assessing multiple scenarios and identifying options that were a win economically and a win environmentally, the reports determined that “under current policies, the districts could save the most money over the next 25 years by powering schools with ground-mounted PV solar through a partnership-flip financing model. After seven years, the school will benefit again from a joint ownership with third-party investors.”

The savings of the school districts potentially increases 14 times, if the areas utilize enhanced net metering and power purchase agreements through policy improvements. The US EPA cites utility bills as the second largest cost for school districts. EcoWatch notes, “North Carolina is one of only a handful of states with a legal gray area that effectively blocks purchasing electricity from anyone but the utility.” It is one if only 5 states that prohibit third-party energy sales. So, clearly, it would benefit these schools if the state came out of the stone ages and made this type of solar purchasing an option.

Career building of the future is not a small part of this important clean energy change. Renewable energy jobs are becoming a bigger and bigger part of our country’s economic and ecological well-being. “Solar installations at North Carolina schools would bring the jobs of tomorrow into the classroom today,” said Dr. Wafa Khalil, a retired science and energy teacher of 23 years. “Teachers could incorporate solar into the curriculum and let students witness its advantages firsthand.”

“The money saved over 25 years with third-party energy sales, and net metering improvements are equal to 1,357 annual starting teacher salaries for CMS and 414 for DPS, which is a substantially smaller school district.” Teachers as a resource for the youth of our country are exhaustible. Wiser renewable policy allows for more reciprocity for hardworking educators as well. Perhaps some of those savings could go to better compensating teachers and/or hiring more of them.

“We continue to see interest from parents, teachers and students across North Carolina in going solar,” said Greenpeace North Carolina Field Organizer Michael Zytkow. “As the calls for 100 percent renewable energy continue to grow, it is only a matter of time before we see solar powering schools across the state.”

The Repower Our Schools coalition launched in January 2015. The coalition brings together and supports empowering parents, teachers, and students who benefit from clean energy and energy efficiency.

Additional links:

Repower Our Schools Petition

Repower Our Schools Coalition Starts Solar Schools Tour in NC

Solar Schools — Could Your School Be One?

Solar Schools Award Kids’ Creativity

Images via Repower Our Schools Report

February 8, 2016 0 comment

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Iberdrola Partners With Yingli On Turnkey Solar PV Solution In Spain

by Cynthia February 7, 2016

written by Cynthia

Yingli Green Energy (aka Yingli Solar) has signed an agreement with Iberdrola to add a fresh new product for the Spanish solar market. “Smart Solar Iberdrola,” the turnkey solar PV solution, offers a combination of solar panels (through Yingli) for energy generation and batteries for backup, allowing consumers in Spain to consume all of the electricity they generate.

A press release from Madrid, Spain, reports that Yingli’s extensive portfolio of solar panels is included in the new partnership offering, and Yingli is offering technical assistance and training for Iberdrola’s technicians and installers.

“We are very pleased to have the cooperation of Yingli Solar as we aim to provide a comprehensive solution that meets all the needs of a client who wants to become self-consumer electricity using PV. To do this, have one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world is important,” said Raquel Blanco Director of Efficiency and Energy Services of Iberdrola.

“We are pleased to join IBERDROLA’S SMART SOLAR strategy, which is fully aligned with our downstream focus,” said Fernando Calisalvo Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy Spain. “We are committed to the promotion and development of clean energy affordable to everyone, through our expertise and high-quality products and services.”

The Yingli expansion and partnership in Madrid follows on the heels of another expansion in Thailand. CleanTechnica reported in January that Yingli Solar’s subsidiary Hainan Yingli New Energy Resource announced a joint venture with Demeter Power to set up a solar panel manufacturing facility in Thailand.

Energy Watch Group Wants Higher-Caliber & ‘Realistic’ Energy Projections From IEA

by Cynthia December 18, 2015

written by Cynthia

An international network of scientists and parliamentarians, Energy Watch Group, is interested in better work from the IEA. The Energy Watch Group (EWG) wants higher-caliber reporting and realistic scenarios from the IEA. Christian Breyer, Professor for Solar Economy at the Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland and lead author of the recent EWG study, said, “We need urgent help of journalists and civil society to find out the real reasons for these continuous incorrect IEA projections for solar PV and wind energy.”

The EWG reports that the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2015 “once again” dramatically underestimated the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy.

EnergyGlobal.com wrties, “the decline in the expansion of the wind and solar energy, projected by the WEO2015, is not correct, the EWG assessment shows.”

The recent study shows that the IEA, for 10 years, “has been continuously publishing misleading projections on solar PV and wind energy.”

The WEO vitally affects the political and economic decisions of world governments regarding energy matters. As EnergyGlobal.com explains,

“The WEO 2015 shows one cannot take the IEA seriously as a credible energy analyst any longer,” President of the Energy Watch Group and former Member of the German Parliament Hans-Josef Fell said. “Despite its own warnings of limited investments in the oil business, the IEA predicts a further increase in the oil production until 2030. Meanwhile, the actually occurring rapid development of renewable energy is downplayed. This way the IEA increasingly turns into a cause of the global warming.”

As noted again in EnergyGlobal.com, in spite of the “exponential growth of solar PV and wind power in the last decades,” the IEA conjectures linear growth (for solar and wind), meaning no growth in the annual installation capacities. The article points out that, in fact, the annual market growth of wind energy has been just under 10% since 2000, and solar PV higher by a good measure. “Bloomberg New Energy Finance (market analyses) and IHS forecast a 10% or more annual market growth of solar PV in the coming years.” Why not the IEA?

It seems almost tragic that, in its baseline “New Policy Scenario,” the IEA rather sees wind and solar PV markets diminishing: “the annual added capacity for the period 2015 to 2040 is respectively 20% and 40% lower than the current levels.” Giving a still diminished yet supposedly “optimistic” take in “450 Scenario,” the IEA assumes no (0%) annual market growth for both technologies.

“Although the IEA spreads positive messages in its WEO presentations, the actual figures show serious errors and inadequately low forecasts for sustainable energy technologies, which are the least expensive form of energy supply in a growing number of regions in the world,” Christian Breyer, Professor for Solar Economy at the Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland and lead author of the recent EWG study, said.

In an eariler story this month on CleanTechnica.com, Giles Parkinson did highlight corrections from the IEA regarding more ridiculous claims from Bjorn Lomborg. But there’s still much need for improvement.

IEA Report: Australian Rooftop Solar Is Among Cheapest In The World

IEA: $13.5 Trillion Climate Investment Needed By 2030

Image: EnergyWatchGroup

December 18, 2015 1 comment

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Florida Supreme Court Ruling: Municipalities To Issue Bonds Funding Green Energy

by Cynthia October 14, 2015

written by Cynthia

A Florida Supreme Court ruling the first week of October is a fine affirmation for commercial property owners in Florida looking to green their properties. More aptly, it is a win for all, as it is a considerable victory for the environment in the Sunshine State. Good for business — excellent. Good for energy efficiency — beautiful. And terrific for the environment of Florida — superb.

From Tallahassee, PRNewswire shares that the “Florida Supreme Court … will allow Florida municipalities to issue bonds to fund ‘property assessed clean energy’ (PACE) programs.” This means up-front financing for commercial property owners who intend to use green energy or improve efficiency in their buildings.

Elizabeth “Ellie” Neiberger is one of the attorneys representing the winning clean energy interests, along with Leon County Attorney Herbert W.A. Thiele, Susan H. Churuti, and JoLinda L. Herring of Bryant Miller Olive PA; Jon C. Moyle, Jr. and Karen Putnal of Moyle Law Firm; and Assistant State Attorney Georgia Anne Cappleman.

Neiberger continues, “The ruling gives local municipalities bonding authority that can make clean energy projects more financially viable for commercial properties around the state.”

The progress changes what was limited to commercial properties, aiding expansion of PACE programs by allowing local municipalities the bonding authority to pay for them.

The news release points out that the PACE program is one of choice. If commercial property owners wish to take part, they enter financing agreements with a local municipality. They form an agreement to repay the improvement costs over the long term as part of their property tax bills. Meanwhile, the property owner does not assume any personal liability.

“The programs have gained traction around the country over the past four years and are proving to be popular in a number of other states, such as California, Connecticut, and Ohio,” said David Gabrielson. Gabrielson is Executive Director of PACE Now, a nonprofit that serves as an advocate and information provider for PACE financing.

“The decision on Oct. 1 was the outcome of an appeal of a bond validation judgment in the Leon County Energy Improvement District’s favor,” a press release stated. “The District has been seeking the authority to issue $200 million in bonds to fund a PACE program, and appeals of validation hearing judgments go directly to the Florida Supreme Court.”

“There will be significant demand for this financing, with the need to make older buildings more energy-efficient,” Dean Minardi, CFO of Bing Energy International, said. “Because the return on investment of green energy is longer-term, many traditional lenders don’t want to finance such projects. Having access to this fund is a game changer.”

Around the state, the Florida Supreme Court’s decision is a vitalizing step to furthering the state’s energy conservation goals, as outlined in Florida Statute. “By enabling Leon County with this type of bonding authority, we can now help developments and buildings become more energy-efficient,” Leon County Attorney Herb Thiele said. “This is good for business, good for government, and good for the environment.”

The case, for the record, was Reynolds v. Leon County Energy Improvement District et al., case number SC14-710 in the Supreme Court of Florida.

CleanTechnica director Zach Shahan pointed out when PACE first came to Florida that PACE financing is one of the best ways to increase solar power adoption to date. Continuing, Zach explained, “The new Florida Green Energy Works program that offers this commercial PACE financing is also open to other cities and counties in Florida, so I hope we’ll see more announcements about municipalities adopting it soon.”

It is a game changer, a critical new option in terms of energy, business, and policy. We are happy to have it in Florida.

PACE Program For Broward County (Florida) Moves Forward

Florida Power & Light Says 3 Large-Scale Solar Projects On Track For Completion In 2016

Photo Credits: Boston Public Library (CC BY), Cynthia Shahan

October 14, 2015 0 comment

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Solar Is Most Worth It In These States

by Cynthia December 22, 2014

written by Cynthia

State by state, the worth of going solar is influenced by much more than how much the state naturally enjoys sunshine throughout the year. Going solar, according to new research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, might be a more beneficial economic energy choice in states one does not expect to see at the top of the list. Hawaii and California — sunny states one expects to do well — do top the list. However, third directly behind them is not very sunny at all, but is a state that encourages consumers to educate themselves and their community on solar, and includes some good incentives — that state is Connecticut.

The researchers note the relationship between the power-producing potential of a system given its site, as well as the value of the watts it produces there. Solar resource in Connecticut are, of course, relatively small. However, Connecticut has high electricity rates (third-highest-in-the-nation), so electricity you can generate for your own use (from solar or other methods) is more valuable there.

Breaking Energy notes, however, that what an owner might “earn” from a system is not necessarily be reflected in the NREL figures. The study is a “theoretical exercise” that assumes net metering policies that pay 100% of the residential electrical rate. However, net metering polices are highly variable. Thus, the amount owners might “earn” from a system is not necessarily shown in the NREL figures. Furthermore, states vary in the other incentives they offer.

In the report, The Effect of State Policy Suites on the Development of Solar Markets, “NREL researchers examined a variety of policy and non-policy-based factors that influenced state and local solar markets. On the policy side, two factors strengthen a state’s solar market in all contexts: interconnection, or policies that define the procedural requirements for connecting a PV system to the electricity grid; and net metering, or policies that enable the utility to compensate individual PV system owners though a simple billing mechanism,” NREL writes in a press release about the study.

Another highly variable factor that affects the question of the study (Should a homeowner go solar?) is the price of the system. Berkeley Lab’s Tracking the Sun report showed that the median installed price for systems less than 10 kilowatts in size in 2013 was $4 per watt in Connecticut. This cost is quite below the national median of $4.70/watt — thus, another point for going solar in Connecticut.

Key conclusions of the NREL researchers are as follows:

States that have matched their suite of best-practice policies to their unique context have excelled.

Both the number of solar policies and the length of time the policies have been in place are important indicators of market success.

Support for solar leasing and other increasingly popular third-party ownership models seems to be a distinguishing factor in the success of solar markets in some states — but usually economic factors must also be favorable.

“We built quantitative evidence showing that, across the board, states with three or more market creation or market enabling policies have the most robust solar markets,” said the report’s coauthor Elizabeth Doris, a technical manager for Policy and Technical Assistance at NREL. “This study provides additional insight into how policies should be considered in light of non-policy factors to best support solar market development.”

This is a third report in a series of analyses. It follows these related reports: The Effectiveness of State-Level Policies on Solar Market Development in Different State Contexts and Strategic Sequencing for State Distributed PV Policies: A Quantitative Analysis of Policy Impacts and Interactions.

In a recent post on CleanTechnica, “The Future of Solar Economics and Policy,” John Farrell points to the unique place in history that solar power is at presently. “It’s growing rapidly, its price is falling precipitously. Within the next 10 years, it will compete favorably with utilities for electricity sales, on price, and without subsidies. Given its rapid ascent, it might seem silly to talk about change. But the continued expansion of distributed solar power may rely on modifying a bedrock of distributed solar policy.”

Farrell examines solar policy — why the past is all about net metering, why it is good, why it isn’t everything, and then brings us to the future with possibilities and more about solar.

Inspired Economist‘s story, “Is It Solar Investment’s Time to Shine?,” shifts to reasons why recent viewpoints (of investing in solar) appear to have changed, with several major fund managers placing their faith in solar shares as a major part of their portfolios. “Despite a wide range of reasons for this trend, falling costs and greater consolidation are the most cited causes of the new wave of positivity.”

Bringing the discussion to clear thinking, Inspired Economist notes: “But the diminutive size of the industry should not put off investors looking for returns that are sustainable both economically and ecologically.” Do what is good, invest in the future of your children’s children, and enjoy rewards materially without hurting the environment.

Integrys Energy Services Partners with Clean Power Finance for First Residential Solar Investment

December 22, 2014 0 comment

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Solar Man’s Solar Wonderland Crowdfunding Campaign Aims For $5,000,000

by Cynthia October 14, 2014

written by Cynthia

“Solar Man” is aiming to build education as the cornerstone of his new recreational venture, Solar Wonderland. Solar Wonderland is a “gigafactory” and much more. This gigafactory is for building lightweight carbon fiber solar panels as the Lotus product line expands.

Students, children, and others will enjoy a hands-on educational experience in this Energy Amusement Park. They will learn about forces of energy — electric, magnetic, gravity, strong, and weak. They will learn about forms of energy — light, heat, pressure, kinetic, and chemical.

Joe Hui calls himself the “Solar Man.” On Solar Man’s Indiegogo campaign page, Hui explains and promotes his aspirations and plans:

I am Solar Man. My passion is to help people all over the world live a comfortable yet sustainable life through the use of my inventions

Why do we want to build a Solar Wonderland? First, to meet your demand for our carbon fiber panels, we are designing a low-cost Giga-factory to build these panels. Second, the factory is going to create jobs, hundreds in manufacturing and thousands in the installation and services supported. Third, the energy amusement park can teach our students about the Physics of energy. Fourth, you can also donate solar panels to US veterans so that they can enjoy free solar electricity and hot water.

Hui’s company, Monarch Power, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to construct this GW-scale manufacturing facility and “energy amusement park” in Arizona. This is clearly an exploratory solar venture. Hui’s company manufactures “Lotus solar products,” which include a 2.4 kW portable solar flower and combined PV and solar thermal awning.

“Help Solar Man Build Solar Wonderland” shares more of this unique awning:

I am introducing the Lotus Awning, a light weight carbon fiber composite solar panel that runs a coolant through carbon fiber tubes. Cool panels give you more electricity and collect heat to give you hot water. It is not grid tied so you don’t need utility approval. If you add battery storage of electricity, you can save electricity when the sun is not shining. Better, you can save the day when natural disaster strikes. Think Super Storm Sandy.

We also plan to open an exhibit called the Circle of Energy by early next year. The exhibit hall covers a floor space of 4000 square feet. There you enjoy a 3D video called “What’s the Matter with Energy?” that explains solar power in terms of the relationship among matter, energy, space and time; all in the context from the Big Bang till the birth of our sun.

The Pima native tribes are going to lease a 5+ acre piece of land to Monarch for Solar Wonderland. The design is an 80-foot-tall Solar Pyramid topped with a Golden Sun made to rise by solar-heated air. And there is so much more….

Jobs are another important plus of the venture, clean energy jobs. Hui projects the following job needs: “The production facility will hire about 100 workers. The marketing, sales, installation, service, and applications of the Lotus line of products will create thousands of jobs.”

Incorporating education into recreation comes naturally to Dr. Joe Hui, the mastermind behind a 3D theater showing the movie “What’s the Matter with Energy,” which will be on top of the theater on the third floor in the Circle of Energy exhibit; and “Gravity,” a free-fall ride. He got his BS, MS, and PhD degrees from MIT.

Check out more details on the Indiegogo campaign page, such as rides called “Maglev Back to the Future,” “Doctor Frankenstein in the Tesla Tower,” “Alice in the Optics Wonderland,” and “The Heat is On.”

While it all looks like fun, Hui has sat an extremely ambitious target of $5,000,000. With 54 days left in the campaign, $1,120 has been raised. It is a Flexible Funding campaign, so anything raised will be collected, but it’s not clear what Hui would do with just a few thousand dollars.

October 14, 2014 4 comments

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South Dakota & Wyoming Utility Try To Slap Charge On Solar, Customer Backlash Shuts It Down

by Cynthia September 29, 2014

written by Cynthia

Black Hills Power was considering a special demand rate for all renewable energy customers instead of a reward for installing solar panels that help with grid security, grid reliability, energy independence, the environment, and public health. The idea for the charges didn’t make customers happy, however. As such, the solar charge was withdrawn by the South Dakota-based utility.

Image Credit: LBL.gov

Black Hills Power, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corporations, has approximately 70,000 customers throughout western South Dakota and into Wyoming and southeast Montana. The solar charge isn’t dead, but the utility is opening up the issue for dialogue now.

Let’s jump into the specifics of the charge real quickly. “It would cost people who have solar panels,” explained Steve Hammond. “If they are running their house the same way they were, it would cost them between $5 and $25 dollars more each month for electricity. So it’s kind of a surcharge to punish you for putting in solar – a solar penalty.”

Lynn Hammond, with her husband Steve Hammond, installed four solar panels at a cost of $42,000 to help the environment and lower their electric bills. They explained that Black Hills Power would require a demand rate for everyone who generated their own power.

Lynn said, “It’s not an optional thing. You would have to be on the demand charge.”

Jim Keck with Black Hills Power said the company is concerned about covering their costs. “We don’t want to penalize our entire residential customer base to help pay for the fixed costs of these renewable systems,” said Keck.

However, the issue is that solar also provides numerous benefits to the grid. As listed above, grid security, grid reliability, peak power, energy independence, and a cleaner output. Rather than try to value everything, which often results in solar being more valuable than the retail rate of electricity that is provided under net metering, the utility just wants to charge for one tiny piece of the pie.

One twist is that Black Hills Power recently requested a rate increase between 10% and 13% for all electricity users due to grid damage from weather, as well as to address regulatory costs on coal-fired power plants. So, it seems other matters are at play, and the utility is simply trying to put the bill on solar power producers.

Think Progress reports: “We understand that it’s complicated,” Vance Crocker, Black Hills Power’s vice president of operations, told the Rapid City Journal. “We want to educate our customers about it and have a dialogue with our customers.”

Throughout the country discussions of stifling the proliferation of distributed solar power, are ripe. What is to discuss? Change and renewable energy are needed.

“Putting in a Residential Demand Service charge is really a hidden fee or penalty charge on solar energy and is the wrong thing to do,” said Steve Hammond, Dakota Rural Action member and owner of a solar electric system.”

Solar reduces fossil fuel generation. Solar helps reduce emissions that will cost us all a great amount of money and suffering. Distributed solar is growing nationwide, and utilities should be integrating and adapting, not resisting. They need to accept that they need to expand beyond the simple business model they have used for ages. Utilities now need to receive energy from renewable sources as well.

Arizona Solar Property Tax Battle — SolarCity & SunRun Sue

September 29, 2014 0 comment

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Heart-Shaped Solar Plant In New Caledonia By Conergy

by Cynthia September 29, 2014

written by Cynthia

The UN climate talks were held last week in New York City, and Conergy announced during the event a one-of-a-kind solar power plant that it was building in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. The style and shape of the solar power plant is that of a heart. The warm, eye-catching, heart-shaped solar power plant is to be located 750 miles east of the Australian Gold Coast. It will be visible as a heart by air.

This “Heart of New Caledonia” will be in the northern community of Pouembour, on Grand Terr, New Caledonia’s largest island. The plant will be on a four-hectare site. Up to 750 homes will have electricity generated from the 7,888 panels. The 2 MW project was commissioned by TIEA Energie, a subsidiary of local beverage company Froico SA. According to Solar Power World, the engineering and construction (EPC) work will start in the coming months, with Conergy partnering with local contractor AMBI Energy.

The heart-shaped solar plant will save our planet an estimated two million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its projected 25-year lifetime. Compare this to power from oil, gas, and coal, which generate the majority of the islands’ power today, and one finds this solar heart brings hope for cleaner air.

The unique design is said to be inspired by the Coeur de Voh. Coeur de Voh or Heart of Voh is a naturally heart-shaped area of nearby wild mangrove vegetation.

“Conergy builds all kinds of solar plants in challenging places and conditions, but we’ve never been asked to do one in the shape of a heart, or any other shape before,” says David McCallum, managing director, Conergy Australia. “The Coeur de Voh is an important landmark for the people of New Caledonia and shows just how extraordinary nature can be. The Heart of New Caledonia solar plant will be its man-made double, a landmark for clean power generation, showing that we can add a new power plant wherever it’s required and still keep a lid on carbon emissions.”

September 29, 2014 0 comment

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