Policy

Also on the rise: Solar advocates oppose Duke’s proposed NEM 2.0 in North Carolina. Indiana enables renewable-ready communities. In Virginia shared solar customers could see fixed charge. Solar+food in ethanol fields could fully power the United States. Federal support needed for US to reach 39% of carbon-free energy sector by 2035. RMI Study suggests charging EVs at work not home, to put daytime solar power to work.

With the passage of SB 411, Indiana communities can opt to voluntarily adopt regulations that will qualify them as a wind- or solar-ready community. The standards are expected to significantly cut project development time, lower costs, and create thousands of jobs in the clean energy industries.

Add North Carolina to the list of states considering changes to net metering rules, as Duke Energy proposes shifting costs to solar customers.

Without important federal measures like the Build Back Better reconciliation bill, the investment tax credit long-term extension, and US manufacturing support, Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said the US will fall short of goals.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s Hearing Examiner has proposed a requirement for residential shared solar customers to pay a $55 minimum bill each month, which opponents claim will dramatically limit program participation.

Converting the nation’s 40 million acres of ethanol corn farms into solar-plus-food facilities would generate 1.5 times our nation’s electricity needs, while also powering a 100% electrified passenger vehicle fleet.

Though the recently passed House Bill 741 is viewed as a loss for consumer choice and the industry, policy advocates fought for and achieved significant improvements. Palmetto’s Ryan Barnett joined pv magazine to discuss the effort and share how his company will continue to serve solar-ready Floridians.

Also on the rise: New York solar plan needs some tweeks to support energy justice. Jobs moves at NREL, CPower, Brattle Group, and more. FTC solar uses novel approach to tackle the damage potential of dynamic and static wind loads on single axis trackers. Sacramento utility signs its largest solar and storage PPA with D.E. Shaw.

Vote Solar, the New York Energy Democracy Alliance, and Alliance for a Green Economy support aspects of New York’s CLCPA, but are asking the PSC to do more for New York’s disadvantaged communities. 

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 6% in 2021 mostly due to increased coal use, but renewable energy sources and nuclear power provided a higher share of global electricity generation than coal in 2021, according to IEA report.