Report finds net metering is not sustainable over the long-term
The report by electricity market researchers finds that the value that solar contributes to the grid decreases with higher penetrations, making net metering unsuitable in the long run. But in most markets, those higher penetrations are still a long way off.
Trump chooses climate-denying pro-fossil fuel politician to lead EPA
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has a history of suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of fossil fuel interests. He will now run the agency.
At least five more cold winters for Ohio’s RES
State House voted today to make the the renewable energy standards (RES) voluntary for the next five years, continuing the deep freeze for the solar industry that started in 2014
Trump DOE transition team issues vague threat to energy subsidies
A leaked memo on the Trump Administration’s Energy Plan focuses more on expanding fossil fuel infrastructure and stopping federal regulation of carbon, but also says that all energy subsidies should eventually be eliminated.
Utah utility’s rate proposal sparks passionate public backlash
Rocky Mountain Power’s new rate structure, which goes before the public service commission today, would charge new solar customers fees to cover a mythical cost-shift — inviting public scrutiny of what it sees as the utility’s attack on solar energy
Environment America issues Block The Sun report
Despite solar’s growing role in electricity production in the United States, it often finds itself under attack by utilities threatened by its growth. A new report outlines strategies to fend off these attacks and keep the solar industry expanding
Illinois energy bill passes without demand charges or repeal of net metering
SB 2814 includes reforms to the state’s renewable energy mandate, which will now support an estimated 2.0 GW of solar by 2025, as well as a bailout for aging nuclear plants.
David Crane joins Vote Solar board
The visionary former CEO of NRG says that the advocacy organization plays a “critical” role.
HECO sees significant uptick in self-supply applications
After protracted wrangling over solar adoption in Honolulu, the state’s citizens are taking matters into their own hands — joining a self-supply program that could show the way to NEM 2.0
Coal-plant closures bring opportunities for solar
A new report documents that most U.S. utilities remain firm on plans to eliminate coal plants on the already-announced schedule, offering the prospect of enormous business opportunities for the solar industry — as well as a glimmer of hope for displaced coal miners
