Minnesota’s automated solar permitting bill stagnates as deadline approaches
With Minnesota’s permitting process hindering rooftop solar growth, a bill to adopt automated solar permitting lingers in the state house.
U.S. distributed solar grew 5.4 GW in 2024
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance study finds that five states saw increases of more than 30% in distributed solar capacity, one state grew by 50% and another doubled its capacity.
Permitting processes place Minnesota’s rooftop solar in jeopardy
Permitting and other “soft costs” account for over the half expense of residential solar projects, making rooftop solar less accessible for many Minnesotans, a new report finds.
U.S. states still have a lot of work to do on energy policy
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance Community Power Scorecard gave 23 states failing grades on policies related to energy democracy and accountability.
How utilities use financial models to justify higher rates of return
A former chief economist from Sempra Energy explains how utilities manipulate financial models to justify higher electricity rates.
Strong state solar policies boost adoption of distributed energy
Of the 29 GW of solar installed in the U.S. in 2023, 31% was distributed solar, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
DSD Renewables acquires 11 MW of community solar in Minnesota
The portfolio marks DSD’s first venture in Minnesota, a land where community solar adoption has been widespread and effective.
Rooftop solar groups ask FERC to stop utilities from charging customers for anti-solar advocacy
Four groups that support rooftop solar have asked federal energy regulators to disallow the “common” utility practice of charging their customers for their anti-solar advocacy.
Reverse power flows
In this op-ed John Farrell of ILSR looks at what the big picture of distributed solar and battery deployment means for who makes decisions regarding our electric grid, suggesting that an era of centralized power may be ending.
Minnesota reaches 300 MW of community solar (w/chart)
Under the state’s program operational community solar capacity in Xcel’s Service area has grown more than four-fold over the last 12 months, with another 381 MW in design or construction.
