Solar power policy roundup April 25
Our first solar power policy roundup looks at a bills to scrap net metering while raising the RPS in Connecticut, the establishment of performance-based ratemaking for utilities in Hawaii, and more.
Majority of Americans oppose Section 201 solar panel tariffs
A new poll by the University of Maryland finds that 58% of Americans surveyed do not agree the imposition of tariffs on imported solar panels. However, Trump voters back the measure.
Utilities weaken distributed solar power with policy wins
Utilities have been trying to dismantle net metering and/or wreck the economics of customer-sited solar for years. In the first quarter of 2018, they saw some significant victories.
Congress fights Trump’s solar tariffs
Representative Jacky Rosen (D) of Nevada introduced the ‘Protecting American Solar Jobs Act’ on April 19th. The bill would repeal the tariffs imposed under the Section 201 ruling.
SolarWorld Americas comments on duties exemptions for competitors, SunPower
Shortly before the announcement of its acquisition by SunPower, SolarWorld’s former U.S. subsidiary commented on the request by its competitors to be exempt from the new U.S. solar PV import tariffs.
Florida allows Sunrun solar power leases despite 3rd-party ban
Florida regulators have ruled that Sunrun’s 20-year solar equipment lease in Florida is not a retail sale of electricity – opening the door to third-party owned solar.
ESA lays out the path for 35 GW of energy storage by 2025
The Energy Storage Association has published a roadmap for the adoption of 35 GW of energy storage, as well as outlining the benefits of such a move.
Michigan dismantles net metering
Over the protests of many different parties, Michigan has become the latest state to experiment with destroying the fundamental policy for distributed solar in the United States.
50 states of storage under Speakes-Backman’s thumb
Kelly Speakes-Backman, the CEO of the Energy Storage Association, spoke with pv magazine about storage and the challenges of state-level advocacy at ESA’s annual conference in Boston.
Trump Administration opens up $105 million in funding for solar research
The DOE has issued a call for projects to apply for funding in the areas of grid integration, PV, CSP and workforce diversity.
