Tracking the top states for community solar
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance releases its quarterly community solar tracker, which updates capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership.
Republican lawmakers retry bill to bring community solar to Ohio
Ohio state representatives reintroduced a bill to legalize community solar after the legislation’s previous versions were left to die in the Senate.
Illinois considers clean energy package to tackle data center boom
Illinois lawmakers are working on an omnibus clean energy package that would introduce a Storage for All program, a Solar Bill of Rights, virtual power plant programs, to name a few.
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.
