It’s happening in America, in Canada, and all around the world. People are getting the training and education they need to transition from jobs in the fossil fuel industry to jobs in solar power and other renewables. The transition to clean energy will bring with it tens of thousands of new jobs in North America alone.
When it comes to net metering dollars and cents for utilities, the utility bill face-off between rooftop solar champions and utilities continues to evolve.
With net metering wins being achieved in states like Colorado and Nevada, owners of rooftop solar systems may not be as fortunate in states like Florida, where the development of large-scale solar projects are being planned by investor-owned utilities Florida Power and Light (FPL) .
As one solar owner has put it:
“But the war on solar is now public, CEO of FPL is now out with a tour on the supposed “cost-shift” caused by solar on homes. Instead the solar plants, he says, should be large-scale (but only owned by the investor owned utilities). This will not play out well but we shall see.”
FPL CEO Eric Silagy has said that large-scale utility solar projects are more efficient than rooftop solar projects because each home requires a custom build and setup. In addition to this, FPL is required to buy all unused solar power at a retail price, which he argues is three times the cost of what it takes to produce power at FPL plants.
FPL is presently working on three projects that will each use about 1 million solar panels, Silagy has said. If this sounds like the proverbial case of Goliath versus David, the analogy is probably fitting.
But utilities seeking to expand clean renewable electricity in their portfolio believe they need to make business sense of how they utilize solar assets.
The Goliath likeness has reared its head on the Pacific coast, as well. California regulators have found themselves addressing new net metering policies under a plan referred to as Net Energy Metering 2.0. These potential changes could spell huge pitfalls for the development of rooftop solar, writes The Motley Fool:
“As part of the discussion, the state’s three biggest utilities, Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and San Diego Gas & Electric, are proposing changes to net metering that could stop the residential solar industry in its tracks.”
Add a number of large solar companies — like Solar City — to this list of net metering champions and we have the makings of an enduring face-off.
Clean Energy Collective has signed an agreement with First Solar to use its solar power technology for a number of CEC community solar projects. Colorado-based CEC specializes in community-based solar. Arizona-based First Solar provides community solar solutions — among others such as utility-scale — and has 10 GW of solar technology installed around the world.
“Roofless solar allows the greatest number of consumers to participate in and enjoy the benefits of locally produced clean power. We are proud to partner with First Solar in using their industry-leading technology, which allows us to provide the most competitive pricing and greatest value to utilities and their customers,” explained CEC founder and CEO Paul Spencer.
Four community solar projects in Texas and Colorado could raise solar power’s profile substantially. These projects are all tied with local electricity providers like utilities, so nearly one million residential customers will have the option to participate in them.
By definition, community solar functions to support communities, so more people are generally aware of this kind of project when it is installed near them. If they are part of the project, they also can have some affiliation with it, sometimes by owning shares.
This awareness aspect is different than when a utility builds a solar power plant, which is usually located in an area where there are fewer people, and there isn’t as much visibility.
A fixed tilt solar array in Pueblo, CO will use First Solar modules and equipment. In San Antonio, a single-axis tracking system will be used for a community solar project developed by CEC. Pueblo has a population of more than 100,000 so surely solar power’s profile will be increased in this small city. Obviously, with a population of 1.4 million, San Antonio will probably provide much more potential visibility.
Another single-axis solar tracking system will be installed in Corpus Christi, Texas, and this medium-sized city has a population of 316,000. A Rifle, Colorado, community solar project will use special anti-reflective coating (ARC) created by First Solar. Rifle is much smaller than the other projects’ locations, with somewhat over 9,000 residents.
Image Credit: Public Domain, Wiki Commons
A joint venture between Ascent Solar and the Chinese city of Suqian to build a thin-film solar plant has been shuttered. Initially, the plant was intended to produce about 25 MW of CIGS thin-film solar products, but that capacity could have been ramped up to 100 MW, if the plant had been constructed.
It appears the two main factors contributing to the project’s demise were a lack of technical skills in the labor force in and around Suqian and slow progress in developing the factory.
Ascent Solar had invested about $320,000 to get the joint venture up and running, and the city had shelled out about $960,000. Both parties will be able to get their investments back.
Historically, Suqian has been known more for agriculture, fishing, flowers, and producing alcoholic beverages, so it may need some time to increase its focus on technology.
Ascent makes ultra-thin film solar technology on very lightweight plastic substrates, instead of on glass. Portability is an attractive feature and some of the Colorado-based company’s products are used for charging laptops and camping equipment.
Imagine going on a backcountry trip for two weeks in a mountainous area with no electricity. Thin-film solar panels that are very easy to store and lightweight could be a good way to charge a mobile device or small, portable lights.
Ascent Solar can also create custom thin-film solutions, by working with customers directly. The company has a 30 MW nameplate production facility in Thornton.
Copper, indium, gallium selenide (CIGS) solar technology has been a tantalizing concept for a while. Wouldn’t it be great if thin-film solar tech could be applied to flat surfaces just about anywhere that would be reasonable, so it could generate electricity whenever there is sunlight?
It does seem, generally, that CIGS companies will “get there” and produce high-output products that become ubiquitous, but it has a very hard time competing with cheaper solar PV technologies that dominate the market. For those of us who are very interested in this vision coming to fruition, much patience is required. It may seem that the progress is painfully slow, but it has been fairly steady, with new efficiency records being set fairly regularly.
Image: Dantor, Wiki Commons
Originally published on CleanTechnica.
Separate rulings this week in Nevada and Colorado see net metering left alone, resulting in a clear win for rooftop solar consumers.
The Nevada Public Utilities Commission voted this week to keep solar net metered customers on existing rates until the Commission is able to make a decision determining long-term rules by December 31.
This follows a shutdown of the solar market in Nevada last Thursday, when NV Energy declared that the previous cap had been hit.
“The hard work is now before the Commissioners to issue long-term rules” said Bryan Miller, co-chairman of The Alliance for Solar Choice. “We are grateful that the Commission’s decision will allow Nevadans to return to their jobs today, while the Commission determines long-term rules for solar net metering. Nevadans will remain vocal to ensure that these rules allow Nevada’s solar industry to continue creating jobs and driving economic growth.”
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission similarly voted to leave the state’s net metering policy unchanged, announcing to the world that it was a “fair outcome” for the state’s solar users, as well as the utilities and solar industry. Specifically, Chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission Joshua Epel and Commissioner Pam Patton made it clear that there is no need to change the net metering policy for crediting residents who choose to be able to feed energy back into the grid.
“We believe net metering provides an important right for consumers to generate their own clean energy and receive fair credit for power they are sharing with neighbors,” said Rebecca Cantwell, executive director of the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association. “This decision will hopefully provide confidence to people who are considering going solar that this key policy will remain in effect.”
Similarly, Chairman Epel also made it clear that, if solar customers meet the technical requirements, utilities must allow interconnection.
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the Energy and Environment Legal Institute, formerly called the American Tradition Institute — a nonprofit that advocates a “free-market approach” to environmentalism. That means it represents, and is funded by, powerful interests who stand to lose billions if renewable energy is allowed to flourish. These are people who are perfectly willing to have billions of people dispossessed by rising sea levels, beset by a lack of clean drinking water, and sickened by air pollution just as long as their clients continue to make money by burning fossil fuels. Their parents must be very proud.
Back in 2011, E & E Legal brought suit against the state of Colorado to block a clean energy standard that requires utilities to get 30% of the electricity they sell to Colorado customers from renewable sources. The group argued that standard violated the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution.
Wait. What? Yup; you see their clients make electricity by burning coal. Colorado used to get some of its power from those coal burning plants. Restricting the amount of coal-fired electricity coming into the state will decrease its clients’ profits and, gosh, how can it be legal for a government standard to take money out of corporate coffers? That has to be unconstitutional, right?
Fortunately, US Circuit Judge Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the opinion for the three-judge panel, went to law school and actually paid attention in his constitutional law class. He wrote, “To be sure, fossil fuel producers like [E&E Legal]’s member will be hurt. But as far as we know, all fossil fuel producers in the area served by the grid will be hurt equally and all renewable energy producers in the area will be helped equally. If there’s any disproportionate adverse effect felt by out-of-state producers or any disproportionate advantage enjoyed by in-state producers, it hasn’t been explained to this court.”
He also found the plaintiffs’ contention that the clean energy standard might raise the cost of electricity for Colorado residents to be laughable. He noted voters had given the initiative “overwhelming support.” He wrote, “That’s a cost they are apparently happy to bear.”
According to Think Progress, Colorado is a national leader in clean energy, due in part to the state’s ambitious renewable energy standard. It is home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the federal government’s primary research facility for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
“Today is a good day for renewable energy in Colorado and our efforts to clean our air and combat climate change,” says Carrie Curtiss, deputy director of Conservation Colorado. “It is time for the climate deniers and dirty energy lobby to end their frivolous lawsuits and recognize that clean, renewable energy is here to stay.”
Amen to that.
Solar power costs have come down so much in recent years that going solar is a no-brainer money-maker for millions of people. That increasingly includes low- and moderate-income people as well as rich people. Affordable solar power seems as abundant and as popular as ice cream these days. However, there’s no denying it: rich people have an easier time borrowing money… in order to make or save even more money, while low- and even moderate-income people can struggle to get financing for large purchases like solar power systems.
So, it makes a lot of sense that the Obama administration would help to get solar on more of these people’s homes. With strong intentions to help the less advantages, tackle global warming, and create good jobs in the USA (note that the solar energy industry added jobs 10 times faster than the rest of the US economy in 2014), such a solar power initiative is a trifecta — a grand slam. But what exactly does this new solar initiative entail? Here are some details from the White House itself:
Not content to just get the demand side rolling in a broader portion of society, the White House is also keen to get people jobs. Here are some more executive actions and private sector commitments on this front as well:
“These new actions build on President Obama’s goal to train 75,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020 and the Solar Ready Vets program that will train transitioning military personnel for careers in the solar industry at 10 military bases.”
This is all pretty awesome stuff. I don’t know what more I could ask for, and I think the solar industry as a whole would be hard-pressed to dream up a better solar push. (Not to say there isn’t plenty more the federal government could do.)
One of the nice things about communication from the Obama administration, though, is that it goes well beyond simplistic PR mumbo jumbo. In addition to the above (and, admittedly, a bit of fluffy duffy talk), the fact sheet on this new solar energy push has details up the wahoo. Copied from the fact sheet, the rest of this article (after the ad) tells you probably much more than you want to know… but at least not less.
EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO SCALE UP SOLAR AND DECREASE ENERGY BILLS
To continue supporting all American communities in deploying clean energy while creating jobs and reducing carbon pollution, the Administration is announcing the following executive actions:
STATE AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITMENTS INCREASE SOLAR ENERGY AND CUT ENERGY BILLS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA
States, cities, businesses, and organizations from more than 20 states across the country are making their own, independent commitments to put in place more than 260 solar energy projects in low- and moderate- income communities or to further community solar. These announcements include:
FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS FROM STATES, CITIES, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SCALE UP RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Today, leaders from across the country are also committing to invest more than $520 million to advance community solar or scale up solar and energy efficiency in low- and moderate- income communities.
BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE ENERGY WORKFORCE
The solar industry is adding jobs 10 times faster than the rest of the economy. They are good paying jobs that are helping Americans enter into the middle class. In fact, earlier this year, President Obama announced a new goal to train 75,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020 and a Solar Ready Vets program to train transitioning military personnel for careers in this growing industry at 10 bases. To continue enhancing employment opportunities for all Americans, including low-income and minority communities, the Administration is announcing the following executive actions and private sector commitments:
Solar power was once associated with the wealthy and privileged, but plummeting costs have some analysts predicting price parity with coal and natural gas within the next decade. But one Colorado co-op utility isn’t waiting that long, breaking ground on a new solar power farm that will provide clean electricity to low-income families, and it could help cut their electricity bills by as much as 90%.
SolarEnergy.net reports that the 25 kWh solar farm can provide enough electricity for the daily needs of 6 to 10 low-income families, and it will be run by an energy cooperative called Grand Valley Power. “With this solar [farm] model, Grand Valley Power is really able to ensure that the value of solar electricity generation are staying with people who need it most,” said Kristina Sickles, the development director for the non-profit solar group Grid Alternatives in Colorado, who helped leverage a two-for-one deal for solar panels from SunEdison.
Grand Valley Power has even managed to set up a fixed-price plan of just $30 a month that ensures the co-op can maintain its solar array, while providing low-cost, clean energy to people who need it most. In addition to the $30 monthly fee, residents will have to pay just 2-cents per kWh they use, far lower than the 11-cents per kWh Grand Valley Power normally charges. That ends up saving low-income residents hundreds of dollars a year, which can make all the difference at the end of the day.
A 74.8 kW solar array using 272 ground-mounted solar panels in Washington state is also an investment opportunity for residents of the Vancouver, WA area. Clark Public Utilities is offering 3,264 shares in the project so local people can buy them in exchange for credits on their utility bills, which will power their power costs. It is expected that shareholders will be paid back for their share purchases in about four years. After that, they will continue to receive credits on their utility bills for the life of the solar system, which is expected to be 20 years. For the first four years, the credits would be used to pay off the cost of the system, and then for about 16 years shareholders would get reduced utility bills.
One share is $100 and residential customers can purchase up to 100 shares by making payments through their utility bills.
We might hear some solar news as it relates to greater affordability or more powerful solar panels, but creative financing is just as important, because it gets more solar power installations constructed and operating. It also helps overturn the misunderstanding that solar power is too expensive. It actually has never been more affordable.
Solar power has a positive return-on-investment in some cases, but we might not yet perceive that, instead considering individual stock purchases or mutual funds as proper investments.
Community solar in particular has already performed well on the financial side. A project developed by Holy Cross Energy was completed after offering a similar share-based financing model. All 338 shares sold out before construction started. A 78 kW solar array was built and shareholders own the system. They also received electricity from the clean, renewable system. It was as if they all had rooftop solar power systems, but the system was located on the ground near them. This site was a clear advantage over their rooftops because of the presence of many old cottonwood trees which could fall and damage home solar systems.
Community solar power has some other advantages. When a community chooses it, the choice is a reflection of its own values, and values are what bind individuals together. Some people live in communities in the physical sense, but don’t interact with each other much, so they don’t know each other. Community projects bring
people together with a shared purpose.
Another benefit of community solar power is that the shareholders escape the monopoly of the local utility. The community members realized they can generate their own power, and it can come from clean, renewable sources not only from fossil fuels.
Community solar is also a good educational experience, because local children can learn about clean energy by using it, instead of merely reading about it in a book or having a teacher explain it.
Image: Piyo, Wiki Commons
Do you know which states in America are rated the highest for solar power policy? A website called SolarPowerRocks has published its list for 2015.
The top ten are:
California might come to mind as the top solar state, but it’s not number one when it comes to policy. Another very sunny state like Arizona or Florida might seem like a probable candidate, but they are even’t close.
The top solar state, according to this list, is a somewhat northern state: New York. The #2 state, Massachusetts, is even further north. They both have state government leadership that has made solar power a priority. So, if you live in Massachusetts or New York, you have an advantage over people living in states such as Georgia or Florida, even though the southern states obviously have warmer climates.
Connecticut is in the #3 position, followed by Oregon in #4, and New Jersey in #5. All these states are relatively northern. All of them are also mostly Democratic states. There is a stark line of division between most Democrats and Republicans when it comes to energy. Democrats generally support renewable energy and Republicans… well, they typically do as well, but to a lesser extent. And, more importantly, Republican politicians typically don’t support renewable energy, including solar energy.
You might not think of Minnesota as a top solar power state, but it is ranked #8. Vermont is also a northernmost state and is ranked right behind Minnesota in the ninth position. You have to get to the tenth position before you find a more southern state: New Mexico.
Before you read the results of the SPR report, a quickie top ten based on the warmest states with abundant sunshine are:
However, we see that some of these states that are blessed with sunshine are lacking public policies that support solar power. Of course, the lack of solar power in these states means a great deal of a free, natural resource is being wasted. This wasting of free energy in the form of sunshine is the reason organizations like Vote Solar exist.
It seems nearly a crime that the top solar states are not where the most sunshine is.
Image: William Warby, Wiki Commons