Category:

Jobs

Sunny Days Ahead For Solar Energy If “Historic” Job-Creating Pace Endures

by Tina Casey February 14, 2017

Originally published on CleanTechnica
by Tina Casey

Solar energy jobs are booming, according to the non-profit Solar Foundation. The organization’s annual National Solar Jobs Census for 2016 showed that the solar industry’s contribution to the national employment picture is significant, adding up to one out of every 50 new jobs created last year.

That kind of firepower makes the solar workforce a political force. President Donald Trump has already riled up practically the entire tech industry over the Muslim ban, with more than 100 top companies joining the ACLU and other stakeholders in a legal battle against it. Provoking the solar industry could yield similar results.

The 2016 National Solar Jobs Census

The Solar Foundation has described last year’s solar jobs growth as running at a historic pace, and they’re not kidding:

The National Solar Jobs Census 2016 found that solar industry employment growth outpaced the overall U.S. economy by 17 times as it increased by over 51,000 jobs, for a total of 260,077 U.S. solar workers.

Percentage wise, the industry achieved a growth rate of 25% over 2015. That beats the rate of growth for every other Solar Foundation census going back to the first one in 2010.

Solar Energy Can Surprise You

On a state by state basis, California came in first for highest number of total solar jobs. That’s no surprise given its size and its favorable policies for solar energy and other clean tech.

California is also staking out a leadership position in terms of making solar energy affordable. The new solar seed fund RE-volve, for example, chose the University of California – Santa Barbara as one of three launch sites for a nationwide affordable solar program.

Of the remaining top five job-creating states for solar energy, three may surprise you. Texas, Florida, and Nevada all made the top five despite the outsized influence of Republican party members on energy policy in those states.

The state of Massachusetts is also a bit of a surprise. Unlike the other top five, Massachusetts can hardly claim fame for a warm, sunny, solar-friendly climate. However, this deep blue state shows that favorable policies can counterbalance less than ideal conditions.

Here’s an infographic that lays it all out:

Political Force Aligns For Solar Energy

The Trump Muslim ban is being decided in court today, following on the national uproar that erupted after Trump’s January 27 executive order abruptly stopped entry to the U.S. by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, even those with valid green cards or visas.

The problem for the Trump Administration is that global culture is firmly entrenched in the US, especially in recent years as global connections have flourished alongside the growth of the tech field.

The Muslim ban effectively united the tech industry, workers, and consumers all together in a common interest.

As the culture of solar technology becomes more deeply embedded in the American energy landscape, a similar kind of connectivity is emerging.

Here’s the Solar Foundation President and Executive Director Andrea Luecke connecting the dots:

…the solar industry is an American success story that has created hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs…In 2016, we saw a dramatic increase in the solar workforce across the nation, thanks to a rapid decrease in the cost of solar panels and unprecedented consumer demand for solar installations. More than ever, it’s clear that solar energy is a low-cost, reliable, super-abundant American energy source that is driving economic growth, strengthening businesses, and making our cities smarter and more resilient.

US Vets For Solar

Speaking of solar jobs, some of the political force supporting continued growth in the solar industry could come from an important sector of the population, US military veterans.

The solar industry positioned itself as a veteran-friendly opportunity throughout the Obama Administration, and last year the Solar Foundation pumped the hire-a-vet scenario up a notch or two.

In partnership with the outgoing Obama Administration, last spring the organization rolled out a new program called Solar Ready Vets. Based on a 2015 pilot program, Solar Ready Vets is designed to train active duty military for solar jobs before they reach the end of their stints. That way they can hit the ground running after their discharge.

The jobs are certainly out there if the growth rate continues. Here’s the rundown from the 2016 Solar Jobs Census:

Solar job growth in 2016 took place in all job sectors, including a 26 percent growth in manufacturing companies to 38,121 jobs nationwide. Installation jobs increased by 14 percent to a total of 137,133 jobs. Project development jobs increased by 53 percent to 34,400 jobs, while sales and distribution jobs increased by 32 percent to 32,147 jobs.

The 800 pound gorilla in the solar jobs room is President Trump, but if nationwide reaction to the transparently bigoted Muslim ban is any indication, it looks like nothing can stop solar jobs from continuing to grow this year.

Follow me on Twitter and Google+.

Image (screenshot): via The Solar Foundation.

February 14, 2017 0 comment

Jobs

Stabbed In The Back, Part Infinity: Veterans Could Lose SunShot Solar Energy Job Training Program

by Tina Casey February 14, 2017

written by Tina Casey

Originally published on CleanTechnica
by Tina Casey

It looks like President Trump has some ‘splaining to do. After successfully appealing to military veterans on the campaign trail, the new Commander-in-Chief hasn’t exactly been doing them any favors during his first week in office. To take just one example, the massive cuts planned for the Department of Energy could pull the rug out from under the agency’s popular SunShot Solar Ready Vets job training program.

If SunShot has been ringing your bell in the last couple of days, that’s probably because the Intertubes went into full hair on fire mode when word spread that the staff of the department has been ordered not to share their work on social media. Reportedly the blackout applies to private accounts as well as the Energy Department’s @ENERGY Twitter and other social media throughout the division that includes SunShot, the Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

What Is This SunShot Of Which You Speak?

For those of you new to the topic, SunShot was authorized with bipartisan support during the Bush Administration as part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, but it didn’t kick in with funding until former President Obama made it the showcase for collaborative public-private clean power programs aimed at reducing the cost of solar power down to parity with fossil fuels.

The benchmark was $1.00 per Watt by 2020, and this week our friends over at GreenTech Media reported that goal has already been achieved — three years early — in the utility scale solar sector.

That’s a stunning success, considering that utility scale solar was hovering around the $4.00 range as recently as 2011.

To be clear, according to GreenTech analyst Ben Gallagher, the Energy Department’s highly successful Loans Program Office can probably take most of the direct credit for the price drop, and those folks would most likely agree. However, SunShot helped to set the table:

…Gallagher emphasized that the signals, monetary and otherwise, that SunShot sent to investors and entrepreneurs “made the market more efficient.” He said that SunShot helped accelerate this industry and allowed vendors and customers to be able to tolerate a bit more risk.

February 14, 2017 0 comment

Jobs PV

India Launches Online Training Course On Solar Energy Which Costs Just $8.79!

by Saurabh Mahapatra February 9, 2017

written by Saurabh Mahapatra

Originally published on CleanTechnica
by Saurabh Mahapatra

India is preparing to have a huge army of skilled professionals ready to service the rapidly growing solar power market.

The Indian government has announced the launch of an online training program to help young individuals turn into professional solar power technicians. The Solar Energy Corporation of India recently reported that a Chennai-based company has been roped-in to implement this online program.

For just INR 599 ($8.79), anyone with an internet connection can enroll in this online program and learn the various aspects related to solar power generation. Among the various topics that will be covered in the course are the basics of photovoltaic power systems, electromagnetic spectrum and radiation, designing solar power systems, testing and commissioning of solar power plants, and operation and maintenance.

Successful candidates shall be issued a certificate from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, which would open up vast opportunities for them. The program is likely a part of the Skilled India mission announced by Prime Minister Modi that aims at creating millions of jobs in the country.

The renewable energy secto, especially solar power, presents a massive jobs creation opportunity for India’s youth. The government has announced plans to have 175 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity operational by March 2022 which includes 100 gigawatts of solar power capacity. At the end of the November 2016, the renewable energy capacity stood at less than 47 gigawatts, with solar power capacity at just below 9 gigawatts.

According to a report issued by the Natural Resources and Defense Council (NRDC) last year, India may end up creating over a million new jobs in its endeavor to have 100 GW of operational solar power capacity by March 2022.

Around 210,800 site engineers and designers would be required to set the large-scale as well as rooftop solar power systems rolling. Around 624,600 semi-skilled workers would be needed for the construction and on-field execution of the projects. To monitor ongoing operations at the power plants, and their maintenance, another 182,400 semi-skilled workers would be needed. Thus, a total of 1,017,800 jobs are expected be created if India indeed manages to set up a cumulative operational capacity of 100 gigawatts by 2022.

February 9, 2017 0 comment

Jobs

Solar Power Helps Raise Income Levels In Kenya

by Steve Hanley December 10, 2016

written by Steve Hanley

Solar powered lights are changing the way people do business in Kenya. In the town of Embu, which is located in central Kenya northeast of Nairobi, Violet Karimi is a farmer who can now take advantage of the evening hours to sell her produce, thanks to the arrival of solar lights in her town. Now at night she leaves her three children studying at home by the light of a solar lantern and takes fruit and vegetables harvested on her farm to sell in Embu’s open air market.

solar microgrid

“I collect my stock and head to the market where I trade until late in the evening,” said the 36-year-old. “This is possible because the solar lights in the market and the rest of Embu town are switched on the whole night.” On a good day, she says she can bring home as much as $30. That’s three times as much as she could sell during a shorter day before the solar lights made longer trading hours possible. “Customers want to shop in the evening because that is when they leave work,” she said. “The solar lighting has encouraged them to stay and buy as long as they like.”

Solar lights have other benefits as well. Before they came to her village, Karimi and her children depended on smoky kerosene lanterns and candles to light their home. Both give of toxic fumes and increase the risk of fire as well. She says the lights in the village also make her feel more secure at night. Even after working late into the evening at the market, she feels comfortable hiring a motorbike taxi to take her home. “The streets are well lit with solar energy and so I am not afraid of traveling at night because there is security,” she says.

Others in Embu County have seen commercial benefits from the installation of the small solar grids. They collect solar energy, store some of it in batteries for use at night, and distribute the rest to customers. Joe Njiru pays $10 a month to the Embu County solar micro grid but makes five times as much from his bar business. The bar’s eight light bulbs and satellite TV help keep customers chatting, debating local politics, and buying his beer well past midnight.

Two years ago, few customers would stay past 8 pm, he says. The bar had a power connection to the national grid, but there were frequent power outages. “Every day there were blackouts in the evening because that is when people with illegal connections would interfere with electricity as they tried to switch on,” said Njiru. “Customers could not stay long because they feared to be mugged on their way home.”

Energy company officials would sometimes come by and disconnect his power, saying he had not paid his monthly bill, Njiru says. But now, he uses a banking system — M-Pesa — that connects him to the local microgrid via his mobile phone and pays online. “For us, investing in the solar project is a double win,” says Embu County Governor Martin Wambora. “Solar energy is cheaper to maintain in the long term and puts us in solidarity with the world’s push for a global green economy.”

December 10, 2016 0 comment

Going Solar Jobs PV Rooftop Solar Solar $Solar Incentives Solar Policy

Solar Panels In Hawaii — Hawaii Solar Companies, Solar Tax Credit & incentives, Solar Costs …

by Aisha Abdelhamid October 24, 2016

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Originally published on Cost of Solar.

Looking at the map, Hawaii appears to be an ideal solar market. Every sun-worshipper on Earth knows the value of a Hawaiian vacation for its fabulous solar insolation.

High electricity prices due to the huge costs of importing fossil-fuel-based energy resources make renewables like solar and wind power a no-brainer for Hawaiians.

Hawaii ranks number 8 in SEIA’s Top 10 States for total installed solar capacity. Credit: SEIA.org

And, for the most part, Hawaii has stepped up to the solar plate. Swinging home runs right and left, Hawaii has successfully gained 100% of new electrical capacity from solar. It ranked as #2 for watts per person in SEIA’s 2015 ranking of Top 10 Solar States, with 394 watts/person.

Ranking 7th in the US for 2015, Hawaii installed over 231 MW of solar capacity, a growth rate of 10% over 2014. An updated total of 615 MW of installed capacity ranks Hawaii as 8th in the US for current total installed solar capacity.

Representing a 3% increase over last year, $331 million was invested in Hawaiian solar installations, and this number is expected so see significant growth this year as well. “Over the next five years,” reports SEIA, “Hawaii is expected to install 853 MW of solar electric capacity.”

Throughout Hawaii’s value chain, over 104 solar companies contribute to the market, employing over 2,800 people. There is currently enough solar energy installed in Hawaii to supply clean, renewable energy to over 159,000 homes.

google map of solar in Hawaii from seia.org screenshot

Google map of solar in Hawaii. Click image for interactive map at SEIA.org

Unfortunately, however, issues related to interconnection of distributed energy resources are driving major changes to the solar market in Hawaii. The dramatic closure of Hawaii’s net metering program in October 2015 is having a significantly negative impact on Hawaii’s electricity grid customers wanting to transition to solar power.

As reported by the Hawaii Solar Energy Association in September 2016, “Another month has passed, and no decisions have been made on key issues that are pivotal not only for the solar industry, but also the state’s clean energy goals, consumer choice, and customer savings. The outlook for Hawaii’s solar industry remains cloudy. … Our data indicates that for yet another month this year, industry activity has fallen significantly compared to the same time last year.”

HSEA continues, “With the Grid Supply program nearing its end, we can only expect the situation to get worse since the NEM backlog is not as robust as numbers might suggest and few companies are offering Self-Supply products. In light of this, it is imperative to raise the Grid Supply cap and to enact and implement Time-Of-Use rates and energy storage incentives to bolster the Self-Supply option.”

Hajime Alabanza, a spokesperson for HSEA, sums up the situation in Hawaii: “Consumers want to produce their own clean, homegrown energy and increase their monthly electricity savings. Unless key policy decisions are made immediately, customers will have few options other than expensive, fossil fuel generated utility power.”

The following is an in-depth exploration of the state of solar energy in Hawaii. Please feel free to offer further contributions in the comments.

Hawaii’s Solar Incentives

Federal Incentives

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is available across the United States. The ITC offers a credit from the federal government of up to 30% of a solar installation’s costs. However, you can only take full advantage of the credit if you have that much tax liability in the tax year. Under current law, the 30% ITC currently extends through 2019 but is scheduled for a phase-out after that.

Businesses may also qualify for a corporate depreciation incentive, as well as the Business Energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC-1603) and the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC).

State Incentives

The following are a limited sample of state solar energy incentives listed on the Hawaii page of the DSIRE Incentives Database. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website, operated by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University, offers an up-to-date and comprehensive public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives across the United States, including federal and state incentives, programs, and policies.

Hawaii’s Feed-in Tariff — last updated 06/08/2015:

The feed-in tariff (FIT) in Hawaii was established through the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in September 2009. Offered by the three investor-owned utilities — HECO, MECO, and HELCO — the rates for Tiers 1 and 2 opened in November 2010. The FIT rates for Tier 3 were approved and filed by December 30, 2011.

People applying for the FIT must register and apply online at the Independent Observer FIT website. Unless no building permit is required by their county, applicants are required to file their building permits either prior to or on the same day as applying for the FIT.

Current Feed-in Tariff Overview:

Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Geothermal Electric, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Hydroelectric, Municipal Solid Waste, Landfill Gas, Tidal, Wave, Ocean Thermal, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small) In-Line Hydro, Onshore Wind
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential
Incentive Amount: Rates for Tier 1 and Tier 2 vary by system size and technology and rates for Tier 3 vary by technology
Eligible System Size: Systems up to 5 MW are eligible, though system size cap varies by technology and island
Duration: 20 years
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Utility

The Hawaii State Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program has 11 incentives. The solar-relevant FIT incentives are as follows:

Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Parameters: The system size has a maximum of 20.00 kW, The incentive is 0.22 $/kW

Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric
Parameters: The system size has a maximum of 20.00 kW, The incentive is 0.27 $/kW

Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Parameters: The system size has a minimum of 20.00 kW, The system size has a maximum of 500.00 kW, The incentive is 0.19 $/kW

Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric
Parameters: The system size has a minimum of 20.00 kW, The system size has a maximum of 500.00 kW, The incentive is 0.25 $/kWh

Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics
Parameters: The system size has a minimum of 500.00 kW, The system size has a maximum of 5.00 MW, The incentive is 0.20 $/kWh

Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric
Parameters: The system size has a minimum of 500.00 kW, The system size has a maximum of 5.00 MW, The incentive is 0.32 $/kWh

Links to Additional Hawaii State Solar Incentives:

KIUC — Solar Water Heating Loan Program Last updated: 06/02/2015
Solar Water Heater Rebate Last updated: 06/01/2015
Solar and Wind Energy Credit (Corporate) Last updated: 08/27/2014
Solar and Wind Energy Credit (Personal) Last updated: 05/29/2015
Maui County — Solar Roofs Initiative Loan Program Last updated: 05/29/2015
Farm and Aquaculture Alternative Energy Loan Last updated: 09/19/2014
Green Infrastructure Bonds Last updated: 09/03/2014
GreenSun Hawaii Last updated: 09/03/2014
City and County of Honolulu – Real Property Tax Exemption for Alternative Energy Improvements Last updated: 09/02/2014
City and County of Honolulu – Solar Loan Program Last updated: 09/02/2014
Local Option – Special Improvement Districts (PACE Financing) Last updated: 08/27/2014
Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Last updated: 01/15/2014
Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Last updated: 01/15/2014

Hawaii’s Net Metering Policy:

On October 12, 2015, the Hawaii PUC voted to end net metering in favor of 3 alternative options: a grid supply option, a self-supply option, and a time-of-use tariff.

Customers with net energy metering application submitted before October 12 will have the option of continuing with net metering described in the DSIRE Net Metering Program Overview (last updated 10/21/2015).

Current Net Metering Program Overview:

Web Site: http://energy.hawaii.gov/
Utilities: Hawaii Electric Light Co Inc, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Maui Electric Co Ltd, Hawaiian Electric Co Inc
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Biomass, Hydroelectric, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small)
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Local Government, Residential, State Government, Federal Government
Applicable Utilities: All utilities
System Capacity Limit: 100 kW for HECO, MECO, HELCO customers; 50 kW for KIUC customers
Aggregate Capacity Limit: 15% per circuit distribution threshold for distributed generation penetration
Net Excess Generation: Credited to customer’s next bill at retail rate; granted to utility at end of 12-month billing cycle
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits: Not addressed
Meter Aggregation: Virtual net metering tariffs due October 15, 2015

Hawaii’s New Self-Supply, Grid Supply, and Time-of-Use Tariff Options:

With the closing of Hawaiian Electric Company’s (HECO) net metering program in October 2015, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved new options to interconnect distributed resources to the grid. Strategies for advancing the state’s evolving distributed energy resource policies include adopting energy efficiency measures and demand response measures especially relevant to rooftop solar systems, energy storage systems, and electric vehicle charging.

As stated in the PUC’s filing, “This is necessary to ensure a smooth transition to a redesigned market-based structure for distributed resources in Hawaii, and the State’s commitment to meet a 100 [percent] renewable portfolio standard by 2050.”

HECO owns the utilities on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island and the new changes only apply to new customers. Existing customers, those who have already applied for net metered systems, or those who are awaiting approval will not see a change in the HECO net metering program.

The changes approved in the filing include new “Customer Self-Supply,” and “Customer Grid-Supply” tariff options for new customers applying to interconnect distributed energy resources to HECO’s grid. In addition, all grid-connected residential customers will now pay a minimum monthly bill of $25, and commercial customers will pay a minimum bill of $50.

Under the Customer Self-Supply (CSS) option, new solar customers with energy storage systems are offered expedited review and approval of their systems. They do not receive any compensation for any electricity exported to the grid and are tightly restricted in how much excess electricity that can be exported.

Under the Customer Grid-Supply (CGS) option, new solar customers are (in theory) able to export electricity to the grid, but at a substantially lower rate. The CGS tariff reduces the previous tariff from the full retail rate (about $0.30/kWh) to the wholesale rate for the islands’ utilities. These wholesale rates range from around $0.15–0.28/kWh.

Unfortunately, this all looked good on paper but is not really working out in reality.

Time-of-Use rates have never materialized. And, in early October 2016, the Hawaiian Electric Company reportedly reached a cap on its Customer Grid-Supply program, essentially meaning that there is no longer a Customer Grid-Supply option.

Hawaii Solar Energy Association President Rick Reed reports, “The abrupt end of grid-supply has pushed the local solar industry to the brink of collapse, and swift action is needed to prevent more layoffs and harm to customers.”

Since the end of net metering, according to the Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA), the sector has lost about 450 jobs from among the more than two dozen solar companies operating in the state.

In September, the HSEA reported that the Customer Self-Supply program had received 33 applications, but needs energy storage incentives and approved time-of-use rates to foster quicker growth.

Although solar advocates have called for increases in caps for Customer Grid-Supply, HECO is hesitant. Darren Pai, a spokesperson for HECO, replied, “We believe any increase should be limited in scope and consistent with the PUC’s guidance on this issue and State law.” Pai continued, “We recommend that projects under any increased Grid Supply program capacity be right-sized help maintain safe, reliable service and allow for maximum customer participation.”

Hawaii’s (As Yet Insubstantial) Energy Storage Policy

Recognizing the importance of energy storage, the investor-owned Hawaiian Electric Company explicitly mentioned adopting storage in the utility’s 2013 Integrated Resource Planning Report. The report called for energy storage as a necessary strategy to facilitate expanding renewables capacity and modernize electric generation.

In 2014, two bills establishing tax incentives for energy storage projects were introduced. HB2618 offered a 20% investment tax credit, or a utilization credit equal to $0.08/kWh of capacity for a project’s first 10 years. SB 2932 required the PUC to establish an energy storage portfolio standard. Unfortunately, both bills failed to pass.

The 2016 legislature session failed dismally, as well. Although energy storage was hailed as the best solution after the Hawaii PUC ended the net metering program in October 2015, two new bills supporting storage rebates and tax credits stalled in this year’s session.

Democrat Representative Chris Lee, Chair of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, reported, “Both died at the last minute, along with several other bills, due to a stall in unrelated negotiations between the House and Senate.”

The purpose of SB 2738 was to provide a rebate for energy storage systems. This bill called for $50 million from Hawaii’s Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program to facilitate energy storage systems for Hawaii’s “underserved residents,” characterized as “low to moderate income homeowners, renters, churches, and non-profits.”

HB 2291, the second of the two bills, amended the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit (RETITC) program to include energy storage. HB 2291 set a $5,000 cap on rebates, but for solar-plus-storage systems, the cap was set at $10,000. The existing RETITC tax credit would have stepped down from 35% to 25% in 2017, and in 2020 stepped down to 15%.

Energy and Environmental Protection Chairman Lee worked on and actively supported both bills. He reports that they are expected to be taken up again, possibly joined into a single bill, with the start of Hawaii’s new legislative session in January 2017.

Although financial concerns are still likely to prove problematic, Lee is optimistic. “It should be easy to pick up from where we left off,” he states, “since we worked out most of the issues this year.”

Although tax incentive bills are not yet supporting widespread residential adoption, it is worth noting that Hawaiian Electric Company has already issued an RFP for energy storage systems ranging from 60–200 MW.

Current Solar Costs in Hawaii

As covered in a recent article on Cost of Solar, the costs of a solar installation in Hawaii are dropping dramatically, especially in the last few years.

Jake pointed out that the 2011 price per watt for a system installed in 2010 was $8, and “a 2014 source said that installed solar panel cost was $4.04 per watt. However, prices have dropped since then.” Brian Korgaonkar, writing for Renewable Energy World, places the end-of-year 2015 cost at $3.53 per watt in Hawaii.

With or without energy storage systems, a homeowner’s investment in solar PV is an excellent decision. Given the extremely high prices that residents of Hawaii, especially on Oahu, are paying for imported oil-based electricity, any relief provided by a solar installation is a big help.

A residential solar PV installation will likely produce electricity for about 20 years, offering significant savings over this long term. And, even if the homeowner decided to move after only 10 years, for example, the solar system typically contributes around 3% to the selling price of the home.

“This percentage might sound trivial,” Jake points out, “but 3% of a $300,000 home is $10,000. If the system costs $15,000, eventually, at the time of sale, you would get $10,000 back, so the true cost of the system might only be $5,000. If you saved $1,200 per year for 10 years because of the home solar power system, you would actually make about $7,000.”

Notable Solar Installations in Hawaii

As reported by the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the following are notable solar installations in Hawaii:

Grove Farm on Kauai Island was completed in 2014 by developer SolarCity. This photovoltaic project has the capacity to generate 12 MW of electricity — enough to power over 3,100 Hawaii homes.

At 5 MW, Kalaeloa Solar Two is among the largest solar installations in Hawaii. Completed in 2015 by Sunetric, this photovoltaic project has enough electric capacity to power more than 1,500 homes.

Several large retailers in Hawaii have gone solar, including Macy’s, Target, and Walmart. Safeway has installed one of the largest corporate photovoltaic systems in the state with 332 kW of solar capacity at their location in Ewa.

Caption: SolarCity partners with NREL in Hawaii. Credit: NREL.gov

Solar Companies in Hawaii

According to SEIA, there are currently over 104 solar companies employed throughout the value chain in Hawaii, ranging from solar system manufacturers to system installers. The following is an incomplete listing of solar installers in Hawaii, chosen and listed based on high customer reviews and recommendations:

Solar PV System Installers in Hawaii:

SolarCity
73-4800 Kanalani Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
599 Kahelu Avenue, Mililani, HI 96789

Pacific Energy, LLC.
PMB 712, PO Box 959, Kihei, HI 96753

ProSolar Hawaii
74-5565 Luhia Street, #105, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Rising Sun Solar Electric LLC
810 Kokoma Road, Suite 160, Haiku, HI 96708

American Electric
315 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, HI 96819

ProVision Technologies
69 Railroad Ave, Suite A-7, Hilo, HI 96720

Renewable Energy Services
P.O. Box 278, Paauilo, HI 96776

Haleakala Solar Inc
Po Box 786, Puunene, HI 96784

La’akea Solar
74-4966 Mamalahoa Hwy, Apt A, Holualoa, HI 96725

Sunetric
5.00 based on 3 reviews
905 Kalanianaole Highway, Box 21, Kailua, HI 96734

Hawaii Energy Smart LLC
210 West Uahi Way, Wailuku, HI 96793

Sol Systems (Hawaii)
4246 Hanahao Place, Lihue, HI 96766

Hi-tech Plumbing Corp.
2108 Lauwiliwili St., #103c, Kapolei, HI 96707

Maui Solar Project
P.O. Box 803, Kula, HI 96790

Island Pacific Energy
521 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 211, Honolulu, HI 96813

Pacific Energy Strategies Llc
94-1093 Hanauna St. Ste. 102, Waipahu, HI 96797

(Please feel free to add your own recommendations and/or reviews in the comments, below!)

Hawaii is Leading the National Energy Dialog

Leading the national energy dialog, Hawaii is a major player in an innovative collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and SolarCity.

Using advanced modeling and inverter testing at the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF), NREL and SolarCity are collaborating with the Hawaiian Electric Companies to address stability, reliability, and safety challenges.

Analyzing high penetrations of distributed PV with the electric system has helped to update interconnection standards and codes. And, as a result, IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 were updated to standardize inverter testing procedures and protocols for advanced inverter functionalities.

“We know how important the option of solar is for our customers,” notes Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric’s Vice President for Energy Delivery. “Solving these issues requires that everyone—utilities, the solar industry, and other leading technical experts like NREL—work together. That’s what this work is all about. With the highest amount of solar in the nation, our utilities are facing potential reliability and safety issues before anywhere else.”

The results of this collaboration have been so successful that Hawaiian Electric was able to clear the waiting list of around 2,500 customers in line to connect their PV installations to the grid. In fact, the utility more than doubled the number of rooftop installations allowed on the grid. Limits on distributed solar power went from 120 percent to 250 percent of the minimum daytime load.

NREL notes that Hawaii’s successful results are “showing utilities across the country that distributed solar is not a liability for reliability—and can even be an asset.”

Additional Links for Hawaii State Solar Resources

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) — Learn more about Hawaii’s governing body responsible for regulating state electricity rates and services

Hawaii Solar Energy Association (HSEA) — Keep up with the state Solar Energy Association and local solar companies

Hawaii State Legislature — Follow pending solar energy legislation, identify and contact individual Hawaiian legislators

Hawaii State Energy Office — Offers information about state government energy programs, policies, projects, energy-saving strategies, and energy-related statistics

BBB Accredited Business Directory — Solar Energy System Design & Installation — Better Business Bureau’s comprehensive directory of Hawaiian solar energy contractors, dealers, suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors

October 24, 2016 0 comment

Cape Verde targets 100% wind and solar power

Jobs Other Renewable Energy PV Solar Policy

Cape Verde Aims For 100% Renewable Power By 2020

by Steve Hanley October 1, 2016

written by Steve Hanley

The island nation of Cape Verde is located 250 miles west of Senegal in the southern Atlantic ocean. It has few natural resources — except wind and sunshine. Virtually everything the nation’s 550,000 people consume has to be imported at great expense by air or sea. That includes the fossil fuels it uses to generate its electricity.

Cape Verde targets 100% wind and solar power

At the beginning of the decade, Cape Verde authorities set a goal of getting 25% of its power from renewables by 2011 and 50% by 2020. To accomplish that goal, it established Project Cabeólica, the first public–private partnership to deliver commercial-scale wind power in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ana Monteiro, the project’s head of environment, social, and administration, said the country is already supplying 25% of the electricity consumed in Cape Verde from 30 wind turbines spread across its 4 largest islands. Combined with its solar installations, it gets more than a third of its energy from renewables. Now, Cape Verde wants to push the fast-forward button on renewables so it can stop using fossil fuels altogether. It has moved its target of 100% renewable power up to 2020.

Energy minister Anildo Costa tells CNN the country is in a unique position in West Africa. It not only wants to meet all its electrical needs from renewables; it wants to be a resource for all of Africa so it can help neighboring countries accomplish the same thing. “Cape Verde wants to serve as a laboratory,” he says. “We’ll invest in technological innovations so we can learn over time, and fully adopt those technologies once they become profitable for the country. Given the share of renewable energy in our network, and our intensive experience of these technologies, we should be able to share this experience beyond our borders.”

Last year, the government founded the Centre of Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance (CERMI), which it hopes can become a resource for the whole of West Africa. The government says its strategy is perfectly achievable. Not only will divesting from fossil fuels cut carbon emissions — Costa says it will create jobs, too. 20% of Cape Verdeans live in poverty. Much of the country survives on remittance payments sent back by citizens living in other countries to families and friends.

“We see our investment in renewable energy as something larger,” Mr Costa said. “We want to have a state of the art renewable energy sector that serves as a reference point for the entire country.”

October 1, 2016 0 comment

Jobs PV Solar Projects

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.

US Rooftop Solar Slugfest Heating Up In Nevada With SolarCity-Tesla Angle

by Tina Casey December 28, 2015

written by Tina Casey

Over the past several years, Nevada has become one of the leading US states for new rooftop solar installations, but it looks like things have come to a screeching halt. Rooftop solar fans in Nevada got a huge honking lump of coal in their Christmas stockings just last Tuesday, when the state’s Public Utilities Commission voted to increase the charges — and lower the compensation — for rooftop solar installations.

How The Nevada PUC Stole Christmas

How bad is the hurt? As cited by the news and market research firm Greentech Media, the national solar advocacy organization TASC (The Alliance for Solar Choice) estimates that most rooftop solar customers are looking at a monthly surcharge of $40.00, while the savings from their installation only ranges from $11.00 to $15.00. Quite simply, the math doesn’t give solar fans any good financial reason to install rooftop solar.

TASC’s figure is apparently based on PUC’s own numbers. In a December 21 press release, the agency explained that the new rate structure is intended to require rooftop solar customers to pay their share of fixed costs for the utility NV Energy, which it estimates at $623 annually per residential customer in the southern part of the state and $471 annually in the north.

However the numbers shake out, we’re thinking that the real problem isn’t that the new rate structure will discourage new rooftop solar customers in Nevada.

The real problem is that PUC also intends to apply the new structure retroactively, to existing customers. As far as we can tell, that’s never been done before in any state. If the decision holds up, it will have national implications.

In other words, the PUC decision is not just about the Nevada solar industry. Because of the unusually onerous, backward-grabbing nature of the new rate structure, we’re thinking that it is also meant to undermine the entire US rooftop solar industry.

The Nevada decision sends this signal to both existing and potential rooftop solar customers in all 50 states: solar deals may look great up front, but you’re going to be left holding the bag sooner or later.

Why The Nevada PUC Stole Christmas

Our friends over at Politico.com are also looking at the Nevada decision through a national lens.

Hardly a bastion of liberal solar advocacy, Politico notes that while the Koch brothers (these guys) didn’t directly have a hand in the Nevada PUC decision, the PUC’s “lethal blow…to rooftop solar” was part and parcel of a larger struggle involving the fossil fuel interests of Koch Industries:

Harry Reid’s home state dealt a lethal blow Tuesday to rooftop solar power — the latest skirmish of a nationwide green energy battle that has pitted the Senate Democratic leader against his favorite target, the Koch brothers.

Politico also notes that at least one Koch-backed advocacy organization, the American Energy Alliance (these guys) applauded the Nevada decision as a matter of national policy.

Politico is not the only place where you can find Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval slotted into the Koch-supported category, the main point being that while the Nevada PUC decision has been mainly portrayed as a state-level fight, the bigger battle is between fossil fuels and renewable energy.

One-Two Punch For Rooftop Solar… And Tesla

Here’s where it gets interesting. The leading solar installer SolarCity made headlines back in November when it pulled out of TASC. The organization has been lobbying fiercely in support of rooftop solar in Nevada and it would seem that its messaging has been undermined by SolarCity’s decision to strike out on its own.

Whatever the initial effect, we’re thinking that SolarCity’s move has actually helped TASC by creating an opportunity for ramping up public awareness of the overall benefits of rooftop solar, meaning significant economic activity statewide as well as the (now-evaporated) opportunity for individual property owners to save money on their electricity bills.

SolarCity has created more than 2,000 new jobs in Nevada 0ver the past two years, and just a few weeks ago, on November 30, it announced the creation of a new solar training center, its fifth such facility in Nevada since 2013.

Fast forward to December 23 and here’s how the company responded to the PUC rooftop solar decision:

The PUC has protected NV Energy’s monopoly, and everyone else will lose. We have no alternative but to cease Nevada sales and installations, but we will fight this flawed decision on behalf of our Nevada customers and employees.

Ouch! That’s horrible news for 2,000 Nevadans right there.

TASC still has the support of another leading rooftop solar installer, Sunrun. Here’s how Sunrun responded to the rooftop solar decision on December 22:

In a similar situation in Wisconsin, the Commission acted without evidence and attempted to eliminate the solar industry. TASC sued and TASC won, and TASC expects to do the same here.

Between the legal tactics of Sunrun/TASC and SolarCity’s gut-punch decision to stop operating in the state, it looks like the Nevada PUC is in for an interesting year.

The Tesla Connection

If SolarCity’s take-my-ball-and-going-home decision seems somewhat abrupt, consider the Tesla connection. For those of you new to the topic, the now-legendary Tesla Motors, Inc., and SolarCity have one important person in common — that being tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

SolarCity received an open-armed welcome from Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to open and expand its operations in 2013, which probably had something to do with the Governor’s efforts to woo Tesla into the state, too.

In that context, the PUC decision looks like a stab in the back for SolarCity and by extension Mr. Musk. It’s hard to imagine that Musk could pull the plug on Tesla’s massive “gigafactory,” which is supposed to be powered by solar panels and wind turbines, but it’ll be interesting to see how Elon and Tesla respond.

Follow me on Twitter and Google+.

Image via SolarCity.

December 28, 2015 3 comments

Jobs

Why We Install: SolarCity Highlights Solar Jobs From A Veteran’s Point Of View

by Tina Casey November 11, 2015

written by Tina Casey

Veterans and solar jobs make a perfect match, and to underscore that point in honor of Veterans Day, the leading US solar installer SolarCity has produced a video spotlighting a SolarCity Senior Inspections Coordinator and former US Army sniper, Frank Sandoval. In the video, Sandoval makes a great case for the restorative power of work with a purpose, and solar jobs in particular.

The SolarCity YouTube video tells a compelling story, but it’s not the whole story. CleanTechnica got the inside scoop from Sandoval himself in a phone conversation last week, so we’re happy to fill in (many) more details with the following exclusive interview.

Solar Jobs Generate Excitement

In the video, Sandoval describes how solar jobs can be a major turning point in the lives of returning veterans. In our conversation, he recalls another major turning point that occurred just two weeks after he began work:

I’ll never forget this. I was on top of a house in Pasadena and someone stopped, honked their horn and gave us a big thumbs up because they saw solar panels going up on this house, ran to the store, bought us a case of water, and brought it to us.

At that point I knew I wasn’t in your average construction company. I knew that I was going to be a part of something that everybody wanted, and that everybody was embracing.

That’s when I started paying attention to what I was actually doing.

When I started with this company I thought it was just construction. You know, that doing renewable energy is a different type of construction. So, my mentality was construction. But I didn’t actually realize until that moment that I saw that person. It wasn’t even a customer, it was a random person that had seen us, and was excited about it, and at that point I really started telling myself like what am I actually doing?

And then I started doing my own research, and then it kind of blew up from there, as far as my passion.

If you really think about it, nobody gets excited about construction. You look at a house being built, and no-one gets excited that we’re construction workers.

[snip]

That was just one [instance]. If I had a quarter for everyone who said, “We’re happy you guys are here in the neighborhood, we’re excited, we’re going to get it ourselves,” or the neighbor says “we’re excited about this,” I wouldn’t have to work. I would be a rich man.

Climate Change Or Not, Solar Jobs Are Important

In the course of our somewhat casual conversation, Sandoval’s research clearly shows. He makes an essential point about sustainable energy, regardless of the source:

As far as the reason why I’m here, it’s not necessarily for the climate change…I’m a big fisherman and hunter, and I notice a lot of resources are being [mis]used, like water is being used to cool down nuclear power plants. I’m a firm believer that we’re not overfishing, we’re overusing the waters.

With solar, it stops that. It’s a tool that stops the destruction of our environment.

Fossil fuels and things like that really destroy the natural resources that we have. If we can have the same kind of energy without destroying our land, then why not.

Solar Jobs For Solar Veterans

Solar jobs are just one good renewable energy match for veterans. The wind energy industry, for example, also has a great appreciation for the skill set that veterans bring to wind turbine installation and other aspects of that sector.

One difference with solar jobs, though, is that today’s active duty service men and women are beginning to come into civilian life with a hands-on appreciation for the uses of solar energy.

Sandoval returned home several years ago, before the Department of Defense began ramping up its adoption of solar energy, but he explains how he was able to see the advantages of renewable, scavenge-able energy as the first pieces of solar equipment began trickling in:

Before I left, solar was mentioned. It was a different way of using energy, because we were using generators, and these things are loud and obnoxious. You can hear a generator for miles away.

A little bit close to the end, the generators started being put away, and solar panels started being used.

That was the change that I started seeing in the military. And you know, the military is using a lot of solar for everything. Out in the field, you can get power. You don’t need a generator, you don’t need a fuel truck….all that logistics in a combat scenario, it takes a lot of timing.

So if you can put a solar panel, that you don’t have to keeping this thing fueled, to keep giving it power, then that’s a win-win.

Sandoval found SolarCity through a veteran, and before we rang off he made sure to bring this message to more of his fellows:

When you come home, you have a home with SolarCity. You can put down your M4 memories, pick up a drill, pick up a hammer, and start solar memories.

Follow me on Twitter and Google.

Image (screenshot): via SolarCity

November 11, 2015 0 comment

Activism Jobs

1,000 New Solar Jobs For US Military Veterans

by Tina Casey November 10, 2015

written by Tina Casey

In advance of Veterans Day, the non-profit solar installer GRID Alternatives has announced a hookup with Wells Fargo to kick off “Troops to Solar,” a three-year program aimed at training more than 1,000 military veterans for jobs in the burgeoning solar industry. The program will also train service men and women who are still on active duty, which will help foster a seamless transition to employment once they return to civilian life.

So…it doesn’t seem like those 35 permanent jobs promised by the Keystone XL oil pipeline project will be missed.

Solar Jobs For Solar Veterans

As the US Department of Defense ramps up its transition to renewable energy, more servicemen and -women are becoming exposed to solar power. That includes both utility scale solar and rooftop solar for housing and other facilities at permanent military bases, solar canopies and solar-enabled microgrids for forward bases, and even portable solar gear to carry into the field.

That familiarity is one factor that could make military service an attractive background for solar employers. However, there are deeper elements at work. Nat Kreamer, a veteran and Board Chairman of the trade organization SEIA (Solar Energy Industry Association), explains:

As an industry, we are completely committed to hiring more veterans. Today, America’s solar energy companies already employ twice as many veterans as the average U.S. business. We hire veterans because they come trained, ready and passionate. The solar industry is filled with people who are motivated to build our economy, improve our environment and strengthen our national security.

[snip]

…Solar, like the military, is not just about the paycheck; it is also about working for something larger than oneself.

Last spring SEIA locked arms with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in support of Joining Forces, an initiative aimed at rallying support for US service members and veterans, with a commitment to fill 50,000 solar jobs with veterans by 2020.

That initiative includes on-base solar job training for active duty service members under an Energy Department pilot project that just graduated its first class earlier this year at Camp Pendleton.

GRID Alternatives And Solar Jobs (And Wells Fargo)

With its goal of 1,000 trained solar workers, the new GRID Alternatives Troops to Solar program will take a nice little bite out of the 50,000 mark.

The three-year program, funded by a $750,000 grant from Wells Fargo, will provide placement services leveraging Grid Alternatives’s existing network services as well as solar job training and solar job training.

As part of Troops to Solar, GRID Alternatives is launching a new focus on Native American veterans and “high-need” communities on tribal reservations.

Wells Fargo notes that it is a longtime partner of GRID Alternatives, having invested more than $3.8 million (including the latest grant) since 2007. The funding has gone to GRID Alternatives’ twin goals of installing solar systems for low-income households, including veterans, while also training veterans for solar jobs.

For those of you unfamiliar with GRID Alternatives, here’s a rundown:

GRID Alternatives is America’s largest non-profit solar installer bringing clean energy technology and job training to low-income families and underserved communities through a network of community partners, volunteers, and philanthropic supporters. GRID has installed nearly 6000 rooftop solar systems with a combined installed capacity of over 20MW, saving $155 million in lifetime electricity costs, preventing 450,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and providing over 22,000 people with solar training.

GRID Alternatives works all over the country, with a solar project in Baltimore being one recent example, and this year it also formed a powerful solar jobs training partnership with industry leader SunEdison.

As For Keystone…

Now that the dust has settled over President Obama’s decision to deny a federal permit for construction of the pipeline, at least one conservative observer has hinted that the President did TransCanada — and its investors — an enormous favor by effectively killing the project. It doesn’t make sense in today’s glutty oil world, as described by The New Republic (cited in a longer New York Magazine piece):

Tar sands oil is remarkably expensive to cultivate…Oil is currently trading at less than $50 a barrel and there’s increasing speculation that the stuff will remain cheap for a long time to come. The plunge in oil prices is already affecting tar sands production: Earlier this year, Shell cancelled plans for a major investment in the tar sands. Nor are they the only ones calling off future development. The plunge in oil prices and fall-off in investment means that Keystone simply no longer makes economic sense.

We’re thinking that all of those pipeline jobs “lost” over Keystone will be made up by the renewable energy industry, and then some. SEIA’s commitment alone tops the 42,000 temporary construction jobs promised by TransCanada for building Keystone XL, and the Joining Forces initiative is backed up by other Obama Administration solar jobs initiatives.

However, take a look at one of our favorite news blogs — FuelFix.com — and you’ll notice that those zombie oil and gas pipeline jobs could very well spring to life in eastern states, so stay tuned.