Panasonic to close Oregon ingot factory and eliminate 92 jobs
In its announcement, the company cited “business conditions in [its] part of the solar industry” as the reason for the closure, making it the second Oregon solar company to announce a closure in the past month.
Too little, too late? ACC convenes ethics workshop
In a move that could be labeled closing the barn door after the horses have left, the Arizona Corporation Commission convened an ethics workshop on Aug. 31, two months AFTER the FBI started its own investigation surrounding ACC elections.
AEE corrals big businesses to support pro-solar policies
The Advanced Energy Buyers Group plans to seek expanded access to clean, affordable renewable energy through policy support at the local, state and national levels.
PURPA pummeled: Pro-solar law savaged before House committee
Before the House Energy & Commerce Committee Subcommittee, utilities and regulators argued for significant changes to the 1978 law that has helped propel solar forward in states across the country – and the SEIA’s sole representative valiantly tried to make solar’s case.
Steel industry throws support to SolarWorld, Suniva trade case
The group that filed the last successful Section 201 trade complaint in 2001 has thrown its support behind the current SolarWorld/Suniva petition pending before the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).
Nevada regulators deny potentially destructive rate hikes
In a victory for rooftop solar in the states, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission rejected NV Energy’s attempts to use Assembly Bill 405 to institute usurious rate changes that would have made solar’s economics tight for many potential customers.
AEP proposes mechanisms to procure 900 MW of wind, solar projects
The utility has reached a settlement with environmental groups under which it will invest in wind, solar microgrids and electric vehicles, but AEP will still get a bailout for aging coal plants.
The case for U.S. solar manufacturing
In this op-ed for pv magazine, SolarWorld Americas CEO Juergen Stein argues that more stringent trade measures are needed to protect U.S. solar cell and module manufacturing from subsidized Chinese imports.
Groups plan creative “Lights Out” protest of TEP solar rate hike
Tucson Electric Power’s planned demand charges and extra fees, levied solely on solar customers, has led conservation groups to ask the city’s residents to turn off all their lights tonight at 8:30 p.m. local time in protest.
Storage saves
Sustaining the market: As the leading solar state in America, California’s behind-the-meter solar markets are seeing challenges as they explore new terrain. CALSEIA’s Bernadette Del Chiaro explains how the industry is navigating these changes, and what to expect in the future.
