Warnings about Puerto Rico 100% renewable energy bill
Solar providers have expressed concern about language allowing charges on net-metered systems, and IEEFA warns that the bill will enable a rush to gas.
SMART solar tour complete, Massachusetts DOER readies launch
The 1.6 GW SMART program for solar power in Massachusetts completed a seven presentation tour of the state, connecting directly with local installers, and hearing the stresses.
Utilities seek greater fees on customers who go solar
The latest report from North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center finds a surge in proposed fees for distributed generation solar customers, as increasingly complicated structures are proposed to replace net metering.
PJM subsidiary to test blockchain for trading RECs
The platform will be designed to enable tracking and peer-to-peer trading of certificates at the kilowatt-hour scale, at low cost and with improved ease of use.
FERC to be further politicized with Chatterjee as chair
President Trump has appointed Commissioner Neil Chatterjee as chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to replace current chair McIntyre who is stepping down.
53 investments in the sun
The Department of Energy announced funding for 53 new through “advance early-stage” solar technologies. The projects in solar PV, CSP, finance and workforce training will receive up to $53 million in funding.
Wind+solar team push corporate buyers to support transmission
The Wind Solar Alliance has launched with a focus on driving renewable energy by shaping market rules related to utility procurements, and transmission planning. Their first report focuses on corporate renewable procurement, and its influence – and dependence – on transmission policy.
EQ Research: Utilities failing at fixed charge increases
The research firm’s latest analysis of utility rate case filings finds regulators often rejecting the hikes on fixed charges that many utilities are asking for. However, the general direction of fixed charges is still upwards.
Teaching New York the real value of solar
SEIA has filed a petition with the New York regulators calling for changes to the calculation of the value of distributed energy, including by refining how to take into account avoided damages, and adjusting the application of ‘E-values’ until further program changes occur.
BNEF: U.S. module prices seeing “aggressive” reductions
The analytics firm expects the price of mono-PERC modules to fall to $0.37 per watt by the end of the year, despite the 30% Section 201 tariffs.
