This week in Energy Democracy news: A new Bloomberg report has electric vehicles projected to become mainstream by 2040, we check in on the status of Michigan’s rooftop solar industry, and nationwide, U.S. mayors are rallying to commit to Paris Agreement standards. Featured Stories: Electric Cars Will Outsell Gas Competitors by 2040, BNEF Says by Georgina … Read More
Minnesota’s largest investor-owned utility, Xcel Energy, last month reported sparse participation in a program designed to deliver value to customers who charge their electric vehicles when it’s most convenient for the grid. But despite its benefits for the grid and cost savings for customers, the initiative appears stuck in neutral.
By April 2017, a year and a half after its launch, just 95 Xcel customers had opted in to the state-mandated electric vehicle charging tariff. With nearly 1,000 plug-in vehicles registered to Minnesota drivers — a bulk of them likely in Xcel’s metro-area territory — participation numbers hover well below reasonable expectations. Why?… Read More
The combination of falling prices and rising interest put rooftop solar on a strong trajectory. But even as solar goes mainstream, it’s tough for consumers to tell which installer, which panels, and which financing is right for them.
There has been little transparency in solar pricing, and consumers without technical expertise have a tough time shopping around. It’s a barrier to widespread solar adoption that gnaws at Vikram Aggarwal, and one he’s trying to fix through his online solar-shopping platform, EnergySage.
“The solar economics are so good that if you are a business owner today in America and you are not looking at solar, you are leaving good money on the table,” Aggarwal said. “In a number of states, if you’re a homeowner and you’re not considering solar, you are again leaving good money on the table.” … Read More
Here at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we advocate for independence in a variety of forms. From strengthening the status of independent businesses in the economy to encouraging local governments to break free from monopoly Internet Service Providers and invest in their communities’ connectivity, independence is vital for small-scale, local economies. That’s why, in honor of Independence Day 2017, we’ve gathered resources from across our work that you can delve into during this long weekend.
We have a number of podcasts, articles, and infographics from all of our initiatives that discuss the vital role independence plays in the local economy. We know that you need some fodder for conversations during BBQs, travel to be with loved ones, and fireworks shows.… Read More
As more cities pledge their commitment to purchase 100 percent of their power from renewable sources, some researchers question the feasibility of such energy policies. Read John Farrell’s response to such critiques about how politics, in city councils and statehouses across the country, have the power to make or break these decisions.… Read More
It’s no secret that we’re a fan of what Minnesota has been doing on community solar programs, that’s why John Farrell, our energy expert was interviewed by PV Magazine‘s Frank Andorka on this trend and what is helping it grow.… Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: We continue to monitor the status of Nevada’s net-metering legislation, a new report shows that the growth of variable, renewable energy resources has not harmed grid reliability, and Kansas City leads the U.S. in Electric Vehicle adoption, and a Massachusetts bill creates new opportunities for microgrids. Featured Stories: Nevada governor … Read More
Electric and autonomous vehicle technology supports the change, said Popham, whose city-owned utility is a leader in conservation and renewable energy. He recently spoke with John Farrell, head of the Energy Democracy Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, about changes already in motion and what’s yet to come.… Read More
On June 21st, John Farrell delivered a webinar presentation discussing the findings of our most recent energy report, Choosing the Electric Avenue – Unlocking Savings, Emissions Reductions, and Community Benefits of Electric Vehicles. In this presentation, John details 6 reasons and six benefits of acting now to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, and two easy ways we can. … Read More
