What would it take to power the entire U.S. economy on renewable resources alone? Three big things: Only build wind, solar, or hydro power plants after 2020 Reduce energy use compared to business as usual by 40% Electrify everything It’s the last that may be the most complicated, since it means a complete overhaul of way … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: Utilities fight back against Net Metering in Nevada, California & Arizona. Massachusetts communities react to continuation of Net Metering by enacting solar construction. Google launches new webpage to evaluate value of installation of solar tech on your rooftop. Featured Stories: Featured Blog Post: 5 Reasons Utilities are Hating on Their Solar-Producing … Read More
In 2016, ILSR released a new report on solar and wind economies of scale, updating this data. While utilities continue to imply that large-scale solar projects are more economical than small ones, the data is telling another story. In fact, costs for transmission and distribution of utility-scale solar energy may largely undermine the modestly better economics … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: Net Metering caps stay in the national conversation on renewable energy. Renewable leaders and utilities react to the Clean Power Plan. New Texas law allows and encourages rooftop solar. Featured Stories: Can An Old Utility Learn New Tricks? by John Farrell, Clean Technica Why rooftop solar may be worth three times price … Read More
In the past five years, rooftop solar has revealed the limitations of the archaic electric utility business model, as customers have found generating their own power more cost effective than taking 100% of their energy from the incumbent monopoly. For years, utilities have fought back by trying to make competition less cost effective, at a substantial … Read More
Now simplified, the new solar lease calculator is here. Just enter in your zip code, electric utility, and solar array size. Then set the terms of your loan or lease to see how solar ownership stacks up against third-party options. Purchase (cash): Customer owns the PV system from day one, pays upfront with cash Purchase (loan): Customer owns … Read More
The Obama administration released the Clean Power Plan today requiring substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the electricity sector. The plan sets targets from the top down, but largely leaves the details to states, providing a significant opportunity to craft rules that encourage energy development and ownership from the bottom up. These 50 state plans have … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: Activists rally against Massachusetts Net Metering caps New York’s energy vision inspires others Minnesota city puts solar on the map Featured Stories Questions to ponder as the future electric grid takes shape by Quentin Karpilow, Green Biz You can read ILSR’s submission here! Regulations putting a limit on solar projects … Read More
For states looking to reduce their reliance on dirty, imported energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory brings good news on the wind. In a May 2015 report, significantly more wind power potential was found in nearly every state thanks to advancing turbine technology. In 2015, 40 states could produce 50% or more of their annual electricity use … Read More
