Tag:

PACE

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.

SolarCity Brings Affordable Solar Option To Small & Medium Businesses

by Adam Johnston August 3, 2015

written by Adam Johnston

SolarCity is taking aim at the small and medium business (SMB) installation market.

The #1 US residential installer will allow SMBs to pay less for solar compared to utilities under a new offering. SolarCity will allow for flat & fixed payments over 20 years for the solar electricity. This allows SMB customers to save if future utility rates go up.

Image Credit : SolarCity Installation Van by Tony Webster via WikiCommons CC BY 2.0

Meanwhile, California SMBs will pay 5–25% less for solar electricity than they normally would through a utility, according to SolarCity. The California-based solar company plans to create SMB solar plant systems between 30 kW and 500 kW in size for buildings that have 5,000–50,000 square feet of flat roof space.

The SMB market is potentially a huge market for solar installers. Considering 99% of US businesses are small businesses, which also create most new net private sector jobs (64%), it’s a no-brainer that SolarCity is tapping into this area.

SolarCity Chief Executive Nelson Rive told the Los Angeles Times this type of service has never been available to SMB’s:

“No solar company has successfully addressed this market on a large scale,” Rive said. “Why don’t these companies have solar on those roofs? There’s no product available to them.”

The trouble, Rive said, is that it generally has cost too much to develop and install a solar array on the roofs of small businesses. The solar companies had to spend time customizing the system, which created design costs and legal fees. And with installation of the panels farmed out to subcontractors, the deal never made economic sense.

August 3, 2015 0 comment

pace financing promotes clean energy retrofits. wikimedia commons

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Financing Clean Energy Retrofits With Ygrene Florida and PACE

by Aisha Abdelhamid April 8, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is being used by thousands of home and business owners throughout the U.S. to improve the value of their property, and save millions of dollars on energy bills. Utilizing this simple and affordable financing mechanism, PACE has proven widely successful for creating jobs and providing economic stimulus for local communities through residential and commercial energy retrofits.

PACE Financing promotes clean energy retrofits. Wikimedia commons.

Ygrene Florida Offers 100% Financing

As administrator of the PACE financing programs, Ygrene Energy Fund Florida markets the PACE program to over 20 counties and cities in Florida. With competitive rates that are among the lowest in the industry, Ygrene offers 100 percent financing to residential and commercial property owners seeking to finance renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hurricane protection upgrades.

In 2011, Ygrene Florida, a subsidiary of Ygrene Energy Fund, Inc., and EcoAsset Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Lykes Bros, Inc., joined forces to create the Florida’s first and most successful PACE program. Now, Ygrene Energy Fund Florida is the leading developer and administrator of clean energy financing programs throughout Florida.

“Ygrene has been farsighted in establishing the PACE leadership in Florida and has brought an innovative financing mechanism to our State,” said Charlie Lykes of Lykes Bros. “Together, we have empowered Florida property owners to upgrade their properties for energy savings and hurricane resistance. We look forward to the continued growth and success of Ygrene and PACE in Florida.”

Ygrene Takes Full Control of Florida PACE Program

A fifth generation family owned business, Lykes Bros., Inc. has over one hundred years of experience and financial stability in managing large-scale natural resources. In central Florida, Lykes Bros. has large agricultural operations spanning 340,000 acres of contiguous land. Now, with the successful growth of PACE in Florida, and Ygrene Energy Fund Florida’s well-established leadership, Lykes has chosen to return its focus to its core businesses. To this end, EcoAsset Energy Solutions announced recently that Ygrene Florida will acquire Lykes’ ownership interest in the PACE financing venture.

“Lykes has provided valuable leadership and resources for initiating and scaling our PACE programs across Florida,” said Stacey Lawson, President of Ygrene Energy Fund Florida. “We have built a tremendously strong platform together over the last three years, allowing us to be the first and largest provider of PACE financing in the State. We are grateful for Lykes’ collaboration and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with them.”

PACE Financing Program Improving Florida’s Local Economies

Utilizing $150MM in revolving credit, Ygrene funds both residential and commercial upgrade projects. It has also authorized and validated $1.2B in bonds across Florida. Not only improving the state’s building stock for energy efficiency and weather resiliency, Ygrene’s PACE financing program has been directly responsible for creating hundreds of local jobs in Florida.

Privately funded and immediately accessible financing through Ygrene PACE financing is promoting widespread acceptance of renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades, such as solar panel installations on rooftops. Ygrene’s fully funded Clean Energy Programs are available for both commercial and residential property owners with no upfront costs. Over the next five years, it is expected that Ygrene’s Clean Energy Districts will create tens of thousands of new local jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars are projected to be invested into Florida’s local economies.

solar rooftop installation. Waynenf, flickr

Solar rooftop installation. Waynef/Flickr

April 8, 2015 0 comment

The Integrated Utility Services model for promoting rooftop solar suggests utilities can make money by embracing distributed solar.

Solar Policy

Integrated Utility Services Proposal In Colorado

by Steve Hanley April 6, 2015

written by Steve Hanley

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has proposed an innovative Integrated Utility Services program that it says will allow utilities to embrace renewable energy sources such as solar and wind and still be profitable. Is such a thing even possible?

The Integrated Utility Services model for promoting rooftop solar suggests utilities can make money by embracing distributed solar. In many parts of the country, traditional utility companies are openly hostile to residential solar power. A new report in the Bradenton Herald details how one former Florida legislator and solar energy advocate found himself an outcast in the state house, thanks to more than $12,000,000 in campaign donations to his colleagues and current governor Rick Scott by Florida’s four principal utility companies — Duke Energy, Gulf Power, Florida Power & Light and Tampa Electric.

“Why don’t we have a bigger solar industry in Florida?” asked Mike Antheil, a West Palm Beach lobbyist who represents solar companies. “The answer is simple. Every kilowatt of solar you produce on your roof is one less kilowatt that the utilities can sell you.”

The RMI proposal was developed for Fort Collins Utilities (FCU), which is municipally owned. Recently, the city council of Fort Collins voted unanimously to pursue initiatives that would achieve an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon-neutrality by 2050. FCU asked RMI to help it figure out how it could support those goals.

The answer, RMI says, is to fundamentally alter the way utility companies think of their customers and the electricity business. It says distributed solar energy and other renewables offer money making opportunities that most utilities currently ignore.

RMI points to SolarCity, the largest provider of rooftop residential solar systems in the country. SolarCity has figured out how to make money by leasing solar systems to customers and using the savings realized on monthly utility bills to pay for all or part of the leases. RMI says pro-active utilities should be competing with SolarCity, not fighting them.

One significant innovation they recommend is providing creative ways to finance home solar installations that let customers pay for them directly as part of their monthly bills. Many communities across America are doing something similar by allowing residents to finance their alternative energy systems by including them in their property tax assessments. Called a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in some areas, it is also known as the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) program in California.

Local tax authorities collect the tax revenue and remit the money owed to lenders directly. The plan eliminates any problems that may arise when a homeowner decides to sell because the cost of the solar system financing is automatically included in the property tax assessment. Municipalities make money by deducting a fee for handling the transaction. RMI says utilities could be doing much the same thing.

They also point out that utilities can send other things over their wires besides electricity. Some electric companies offer internet access — another potential source of revenue. Extended warranties and maintenance services could also be offered to customers to provide peace of mind for people considering a home solar system.

Data can also be transmitted via the grid. Utility companies could help customers monitor their electric usage and suggest ways to conserve, perhaps by upgrading their appliances to Energy Star certified models or upgrading basic components like windows, doors and insulation. Is there any reason why a utility company could not market such services and make a profit doing so?

As electric cars and home battery storage systems become more common, utilities could save money by integrating them into the grid to reduce smooth out the demand curve during the day. It costs utilities money to ramp up production for the early evening hours when demand is highest. Being able to draw on stored electricity would eliminate or greatly reduce that expense.

What the Integrated Utility Services model from RMI is really saying is that utility companies need to stop being part of the problem and start becoming part of the solution. The only constant in life is change. According to Green Tech Media:

This business model would help customers access a broader range of energy services — including efficiency improvements, distributed renewables, transport and heat system electrification, and demand response — in one comprehensive package, with monthly payments on the electricity bill.

The IUS model could, if designed correctly, align a utility’s interest in its financial health with the interests of customers who want to invest in efficiency and distributed solar, and make these investments appealing to a wider range of customers.

Or you could use the words of Bob Dylan to educate utility company executives: “Don’t stand in the doorway. Don’t block up the hall. For he who gets hurt will be he who has stalled.” When it comes to how America develops and utilizes its solar electricity resources, the times really are a’changing.

Photo credit: Green Tech Media

April 6, 2015 0 comment

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California Homeowners Becoming Conservation HEROes

by Aisha Abdelhamid March 18, 2015

written by Aisha Abdelhamid

Now widely available in California, Renovate America’s HERO program is the fastest-growing energy efficiency financing program throughout the United States. Since 2011, the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity HERO program has funded over $500 million in homeowner property upgrades in California alone. HERO funding is offered through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, and is quickly turning California residents into sustainability and conservation heroes.

Enabling homeowners who want to upgrade the energy and water efficiency of their homes, PACE allows people to pay for these HERO upgrades through their property taxes, spreading payments over as many as 20 years. Not only does this provide significant and timely economic advantages to residential areas, HERO PACE helps bring efficiency upgrades within reach for homeowners without other financing options available. Cities and regions clearly benefit as well, because efficiency upgrades help mitigate global warming by reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable energy upgrades bring economic benefits to California

Renewable energy upgrades bring economic benefits. Wikimedia commons.

Los Angeles, California Joins HERO PACE

With a recent vote to make HERO PACE available in Los Angeles County, this brings the largest county and second largest city in the U. S. into the HERO program. In California, this move joins the City of Los Angeles and the other 83 cities in Los Angeles County to the growing network of over 280 HERO cities and counties.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis said, “The HERO Program provides a long-term payment option for local homeowners who would like to make energy and water efficiency upgrades to their properties.” She continued, “Our local economy will also get a boost from the jobs the HERO program creates by increasing work for local contractors. This is a win-win for local residents, the economy and the environment.”

“It’s good to see the LA County Board of Supervisors helping to conserve energy by approving the Residential PACE program that will help Angelenos conserve water, use less electricity, and harness renewable energy at home,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our collaboration with the County on this program will be another engine driving the creation of local green jobs while saving Angelenos money on their utility bills.”

Tax-Deductible Interest and Carbon Emission Offsets

The HERO program is 100 percent voluntary for both local government agency and homeowner participation. Widely popular, especially since the interest is tax-deductible, this financing tool has helped fund over 27,000 residential projects. Its carbon offsets record is equally impressive, as HERO is directly responsible for 926,000 tons of CO2 emissions already offset. Advanced Energy Economy Institute named HERO as one of the top 10 reasons for accelerated job growth in the advanced energy market.

California drought from wikimedia commons

California drought image from wikimedia commons

Energy and Water Efficiency Products are Trending in California

Through the HERO PACE Program, property owners are offered a wide array of energy and water efficiency products. Solar panel power system options are especially popular, along with water-saving options. For example, HERO offers over 50 product lines to help save water during California’s extended drought. Some of HERO’s most popular products include:

• Solar panel installations.

• Whole-home heating and cooling (HVAC) systems.

• Energy-saving roofing and insulation.

• Energy-saving windows and doors

• High-efficiency toilets, faucets, and shower heads.

• Gray water systems.

• Rainwater catchment systems.

• Drip irrigation systems.

• Drought-tolerant landscaping.

• Artificial turf.

Saving Money Through Energy and Water Conservation

Dustin Reilich, Director of Municipal Development for the HERO Program, said “HERO is committed to helping cities and counties reach their energy and water reduction targets by bringing these types of investments into reach for most property owners.” Reilich continued, “When more homeowners invest in these types of improvements, it creates jobs and stimulates the local economy.” Summing up the elegant simplicity and appeal of the HERO program, Reilich points out, “HERO will make it easy and affordable for local homeowners to save money by using water and energy more efficiently.”

In 2014, the HERO program received the Clean Air Award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the Clean Tech OC’s Van Vlahakis’ Environmental Excellence Award. It has also been the recipient of the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, the Urban Land Institute Best of the Best, and the Southern California Association of Governments President’s Award for Excellence.

With over half a billion dollars in HERO PACE projects funded in California alone, and over 4,300 jobs created as a direct result, this innovative and helpful financing program is well-positioned for wider growth. View elected officials, contractors, and homeowners speaking out about HERO on the company’s HEROFinancing YouTube channel.

The following is their YouTube video, How the HERO Program Works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63zc5MZHi_o

March 18, 2015 0 comment

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San Francisco Home Energy Program To Restart

by Jake Richardson December 29, 2014

written by Jake Richardson

A residential energy program that supports solar power, energy-saving windows and doors, insulation, heating and cooling, roofing and water conservation will be reinstated in San Francisco. Spring of 2015 is when applications will first be accepted.

The Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HERO) makes these investment opportunities more affordable by financing them through an extra property tax assessment. Payments for these energy-saving or energy-producing options such as solar panels can be made through property taxes for twenty years. Interest on energy renovation upgrades is tax deductible.

The timing of HERO’s reinstatement is helpful because the cost of solar panels has dropped by about 75% in the least several years. In other words, home solar power systems are the most affordable they have ever been. Supporting homeowners in San Francisco with friendlier financing is a good choice, because more of them can make their homes energy efficient.

Over the long term, they may wind up saving money. This is now especially true for solar panel systems. If the average time to pay off a home solar system is about 8 years, for at least 12 years (but more like 32+ years) a homeowner can have free or very low-cost electricity.

“HERO will make it easy and affordable for San Francisco homeowners to reduce carbon pollution and cut energy costs. San Francisco’s inspiring commitment to implementing a PACE program sets a strong example for cities in California and across the country,” explained Blair McNeill, Vice President of Community Development for Renovate America and the HERO Program.

HERO is Property Assessed Clean Energy programs are doing well around the country, including in Southern California, but they were dropped for a number of years due to some objections by federal housing authorities. Outside of the Bay Area, PACE programs were active in 225 California communities.

It will be fascinating to see if San Francisco’s adoption of the HERO program will accelerate residential solar power there. Though the perception of San Francisco may be that it has too much fog to be a good solar city, this perception is not accurate. San Francisco has enough sunlight to be a solar power leader among American cities.

Image: Caroline Culler

December 29, 2014 0 comment

Investment Rooftop Solar

$300 Million For Solar Power and Energy Efficiency in California

by Jake Richardson August 15, 2014

written by Jake Richardson

The state of California is launching a huge home energy program called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). The PACE concept was created in 2008 in Berkeley, but this new one is for seventeen California counties and is supported by $300 million dollars in funding.

This money will be loaned to homeowners so they can install home solar systems. They will be allowed to borrow up to $75,000 and can pay the loans back over a number of years, ranging up to twenty. They can also choose to get loans for more efficient furnaces and water heaters.

The CaliforniaFIRST website says no credit score, or down payment are required. Homeowners can qualify based on the value of their homes and payments can be made via property taxes.

An administrator said he expects that the program will result in about $250 million in PV home solar systems being installed in 2015. The $300 million in backing is also expected to be replenished, due to private investor interest. The seventeen counties covered by CaliforniaFIRST have about fourteen million residents.

In the event of loan defaults, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill providing ten million dollars to cover them. So far in California such defaults have been non-existent, according to Cliff Staton, VP program administrator at Renewable Funding.

These kinds of creative finance programs are helping to spread clean energy in a way that overcomes some of the barriers to entry for typical consumers. The knock against clean energy for some time has been the cost, but if this hurdle is removed there may be more openness to switching.

That California would offer such a program is not particularly surprising considering that the state has been a clean energy leader in the United States. The Go Solar California website says there have been well over 200,000 solar projects in California so far. Greater energy efficiency combined with clean energy, will be better for consumers and the planet.

Image Credit: LBL.gov

August 15, 2014 1 comment

CPV CSP Going Solar How Solar PV Works Market Research Policy Research PV Rooftop Solar Science Solar $Solar Modules Solar Policy Solar Projects Solar PV Manufacturing Solar Records Solar Research Solar Thermal Thin Film Solar

Solar Energy & Solar Power Facts

by Zach June 29, 2013

written by Zach

Need some solar energy facts or solar power facts? This page is aimed at becoming the best go-to source on the web for solar facts… if it isn’t already. The solar facts below are succinct and organized by categories and subcategories. To help improve the page, please feel free to add any solar facts you are aware of in the comments below… or correct ours if we’ve got any wrong. If you do either of those things, just be sure to include a link to a reliable source — we want to be very careful here to check the facts before publishing them. Cool? Cool.

Solar farm in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Photo Credit: Marika Krakowiak / Solar Love

Solar Energy Facts / Solar Power Facts Table Of Contents

The main categories below are:

— Solar Records

Solar Cell Efficiency Records
Solar Module Efficiency Records
Largest Solar Power Plants
Solar Market Leaders
Solar Vehicles

— Solar Policies

Feed-in Tariffs
Net Metering
Value of Solar Tariffs
Renewable Energy Standards (RES) / Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) / Renewable Obligation
PACE Financing
Solar Mandates
Rebates, Tax Credits, Grants, & Loans
Interconnection
Permitting
More Info, More Policies?

— How Solar PV Works

— Chime In!

Now, on to the solar energy and solar power facts!!

Solar Records

Solar Cell Efficiency Records

Overall world solar cell efficiency record (also the concentrator triple-junction solar cell efficiency record) — 44.7% (Fraunhofer ISE)
Triple-junction, non-concentrator solar cell efficiency record — 37.9% (Sharp)
Two-junction, concentrator solar cell efficiency record — 32.6% (IES–UPM)
Two-junction solar cell conversion efficiency record under one sun of illumination — 31.1% (NREL)
Single-junction, concentrator solar cell efficiency record — 29.1% (FhG–ISE)
Single-junction, GaAs, thin-film crystal solar cell efficiency record — 28.8% (Alta Devices)
Crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency record — 25.6% (Panasonic)
Amorphous and monocrystalline silicon solar cell efficiency record — 21.4% (EPFL Institute of Microengineering)
P-type mono-crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency record — 21.4% (Trina Solar)
Thin-film solar cell efficiency record (CdTe) — 21% (First Solar)
CIS thin-film solar cell efficiency record — 20.9% (Solar Frontier)
CIGS thin-film solar cell efficiency record — 20.8% (Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg — ZSW)
P-type multi-crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency record — 20.5% (Trina Solar)
Black silicon solar cell efficiency record — 18.7% (Fraunhofer ISE & Aalto University)
CZTS solar cell efficiency record — 12.6% (Solar Frontier, IBM, & TOK)
Single-junction microcrystalline silicon solar cell efficiency record — 10.7% (EPFL Institute of Microengineering)
Plasmonic polymer solar cell efficiency record — 8.92% (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
Graphene solar cell efficiency record — 8.6% (University of Florida)

Solar Module Efficiency Records

Overall solar PV module efficiency record (also the CPV module efficiency record) — 36.7% (Fraunhofer ISE)
Outdoor solar PV (and CPV) module efficiency record — 34.9% (Amonix)
Commercial CPV module efficiency record — 31.8% (Soitec)
Commercial solar module efficiency record — 21.5% (SunPower)
Leading solar modules in solar module yield field tests — SunPower SPR-327NE-WHT-D modules
Thin-film solar module aperture efficiency record — 17.4% (Q-Cells)
Cadmium-telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) module conversion efficiency record — 16.1% (First Solar)
CIGS thin-film solar module efficiency record — 15.7% (Samsung)
Flexible PV solar module efficiency record — 15.5% (MiaSolé )
Monolithically integrated, commercially available CIGS module efficiency record — 13.4% (Stion) (also holds the 14.8% aperture efficiency record for such modules) and 13.4% (SoloPower)

Largest Solar Power Plants

Largest “collection” of solar power plants: 600 MW — Gujarat Solar Park
Largest solar power plant under construction: 579 MW — Antelope Valley Solar Project
Largest solar PV power plant completed: 550 MW — Topaz Solar Farm

CSP

Largest concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant under construction: 392 MW — Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System
Largest single-unit CSP plant completed: 100 MW — Shams 1

CPV

Largest concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar power plant: 37 MW — Alamosa Solar Generating Project

Solar Market Leaders

Global

Solar Power (MW) Per Million People (End of 2012): 398.63 — Germany
New Solar Power (MW) Per Million People In 2012: 108.98 — Bulgaria
Solar Power (MW) Per $1 Billion GDP (End of 2012): 17.8 — Bulgaria
New Solar Power (MW) Per $1 Billion GDP In 2012: 15.03 — Bulgaria
Solar Peak Power Output Record: 22.68 GW — Germany
Single-Year Solar Power Installation Record: 7.6 GW — Germany

Solar Power (W) Per Capita (End of 2012): 166.9 — Arizona
New Solar Power (W) Per Capita In 2012: 108.39 — Arizona

Module Manufacturers & Developers

#1 solar module manufacturer (2012) — Yingli Green Energy
#1 utility-scale solar developer in world — First Solar
#1 EPC solar contractor in the world — First Solar

Solar Vehicles

1st solar-powered airplane to cross the US: Solar Impulse
1st solar-powered airplane to fly for 24 hours nonstop: Solar Impulse
1st solar-powered airplane to fly for 48 hours nonstop: Solar Impulse
Solar-powered aviation world distance record on a single flight: 832 NM/ 1’541 km — Solar Impulse

June 29, 2013 17 comments

Activism Jobs Rooftop Solar Startups

Veterans Get Hooked On Solar

by Zach May 28, 2013

written by Zach

Veterans need jobs. They’re not scared of getting on roofs. Roofs need solar power systems. I think you know where I’m headed….

The good news is that a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing leader is connecting with a leading veterans organization, Empowering American, in order to get more veterans installing solar power systems on roofs across the US… for energy independence nonetheless. Here’s a full press release about the new partnership:

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) — Commercial PACE provider FIGTREE Energy Financing is teaming up with Empower America – a national non-profit that hires U.S. service veterans to construct domestic solar energy projects — to shed light on Empower America’s work providing hands-on, boots-on-the-roof training and job placement for service veterans looking to re-enter the American civilian workforce.

“Our focus is creating American jobs for American veterans using American-made products to drive American energy independence,” said Empower America President and CEO Mario Pabon. “FIGTREE’s role in providing PACE financing to help contractors and property-owners jump-start commercial solar and energy efficiency projects falls right in line with our objectives.”

PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a municipal economic development tool that qualifies commercial property owners for 100% up-front financing for money-saving energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements based strictly on assessed property values. FIGTREE finances improvements on commercial, industrial and multi-family properties from as little $5,000 into the millions of dollars.

Empower America’s primary mission is to create workforce and economic development opportunities by developing renewable-energy projects for governments and businesses while recruiting, training and employing local service veterans to build those projects.

May 28, 2013 0 comment

Solar $Solar Policy

Florida PACE Funding Agency Gets $500 Million Boost

by Zach February 16, 2013

written by Zach

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) funding (or financing) is one of the most attractive solar policies in the world (imho). Very basically, instead of receiving a loan to pay the upfront cost of a solar power system, you have the amount of the system added to your property taxes. You pay off the cost of the solar system over time while you save on electricity (you generally have a 15- to 20-year time period set for incrementally paying of the loan). So, you’re basically saving money from day one while also not giving away the profits of going solar to the bank or a solar leasing company. (Note: PACE financing can also be used toward energy efficiency improvements or other renewable energy projects in many cases.)

The first PACE program was implemented in Berkeley, California in 2008. The idea seemed poised to take off nationally. However, following the US housing crisis and financial crisis, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2010 decided not to back mortgages with PACE liens on them. Here’s a good, concise summary of the blockade and its “rationale” via Wikipedia:

“Several problems have been raised regarding PACE. Foremost amongst the problems is the issue of involuntary subordination. Property taxes are superior to all other obligations, including mortgages. In case of default, taxes are paid before other creditors. Since the PACE loan is made after a mortgage is taken out, this in effect acts as an involuntary subordination of the lender’s security. While this point is widely disputed, for this reason both FHFA and OCC have issued guidance that has stopped residential PACE finance programs in most locations. Commercial PACE is, however, still being introduced in a number of jurisdictions. Residential PACE financing is available in eight states, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Wisconsin, and is on hold in twenty others, pending resolution of the Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae objection.^[12]”

As you can see in that paragraph above, PACE financing is still available in Florida. Furthermore, as noted in the title, the Florida agency funding PACE projects recently received a nice infusion of cash.

“Florida PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Funding Agency has announced that it has secured up to $500 million in funding through Samas Capital, LLC (Samas) to provide business and residential property owners with financing for energy-related and wind-hardening improvements in counties that choose to participate,” the Florida PACE Funding Agency noted in a press release published earlier this month.

Here’s more info on this specific PACE program:

“Florida PACE Funding Agency was established as a special purpose unit of local government to provide voluntary, low-cost financing to property owners for energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements. Improvements are to be repaid over time by property owners through a voluntary special assessment added onto the owner’s property tax bill. The Florida PACE Funding Agency has the legal authority to issue $2 billion in bonds for the purpose of funding property improvements, without liability, to any subscribing county or city.”

“By using the Agency’s innovative interlocal subscription model, local governments will be able to quickly and easily implement a PACE program without burdening local government staff and without incurring uncertain and enormous costs and liabilities associated with a stand-alone program,” said Mike Steigerwald, Executive Director for Florida PACE Funding Agency. “For property owners, this will mean expedited access to funds for protection of their properties from Florida’s hurricanes, mitigation of rising energy costs through energy efficiency improvements, and increases in property value related to the improvements.”

February 16, 2013 0 comment