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SolarIndustryMag.com: Content / New & Noteworthy / Big-Name Investment Marks Pivotal New Era For U.S. Solar Projects
Mar 16th
by Lori Lovely on Thursday 15 March 2012
Although corporate investment in solar is nothing new, an influx of investment attached to high-profile names – such as Warren Buffett and Google – is now taking place as the solar sector matures.“High-profile investment lends credibility, but the increased level of investment is due to many factors, such as the federal tax credit, state solar support programs with set-asides that mandate solar renewable energy credits and more funding support,” says Lewis Milford, president of advocacy organization Clean Energy Group.
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Loading ...New TCAP Study Finds History of Mismanagement at ERCOT | Texas Coalition for Affordable Power
Feb 14th
All, Setting the conclusions of this report aside, it is worth checking out because it provides a thorough historical review regarding the development of the ERCOT system. Also – there are quite a few statistics cited in the report (with 378 citations listed in the appendices). So, it could be useful for chasing down some data.
Going back to the conclusions – they are a tad controversial. What do you all think? Do you think that the report adequately accounts for the differences in generation mix between states, the impact of natural gas prices, or the fact that non-competitive (muni and More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...DOE Webinar: Quantifying the Impact of State Policies on Clean Energy Development, 17 NOV
Nov 10th
TAP Webinar November 17: Quantifying the Impact of State Policies on Clean Energy Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will host a Webinar on Wednesday, November 17, titled State of the States: Quantifying the Impact of State Policies on Clean Energy Development.
At this Webinar, you will hear about the State of the States project at the DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which looks at the growth of clean energy development that coincides with the implementation of specific state policies. The analysis is carried out from the point of view of policy makers and researchers, but More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Arithmetic trumps Ideology: Digging Into Conservative Misconceptions of Energy Costs
Sep 2nd
September 2, 2010 in Energy & Fuel
Here is an excellent guest post by an energy veteran and businessman on the costs of clean energy compared to old, dirty energy.
We’ve been writing on clean energy more and more these days. It is clearly one way to address global climate change, air pollution, and water pollution. And with another offshore oil production facility catching fire today, the sense of urgency to switch over from “dirty” to “clean” energy is growing.
In this guest post from Tom Rooney, President and CEO of SPG Solar in Novato, California we get a deeper look into the real costs of energy. Tom has More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Smart Grid and Renewable Technologies May See Double Digit Growth in Five Years
Aug 28th
Aug 27, 2010
Renewable energy technologies, fueled by worldwide government support in the form of stimulus programs and other incentives, have improved the global economic outlook with new jobs and industry. Six will hit double digit growth in the next five years — and change our lifestyle, according to a series of market studies from SBI Energy. Here’s what the industrial market research company found:
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Well said!: The Myth of Cheap Fossil Fuels –> Hindering SMART Choices
Aug 23rd
by Ralf Sigrist, Nordex USA Published: August 20, 2010
Recently, when Senator Harry Reid put forth a “spill bill” rather than an energy bill, my theory that the energy debate in this country has been framed upside down seemed to be confirmed.
Arguments for renewable energy legislation have mixed messages on jobs creation with those of climate change, national security, energy independence and environmental disaster. After two years of debate and millions spent in lobbying, no one has been persuaded.
Why? Because clean energy got stuck on the wrong side of the cost debate. Guardians of the carbon economy have promoted the axiom that More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...GTM Research: United States Smart Grid Policy 2010
Aug 10th
Stephen Munro munro@gtmresearch.com
JULY 26, 2010
United States Smart Grid Policy 2010IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF TEN KEY STATES DRIVING DEPLOYMENT
The smart grid will be an essential component of state power scenarios as energy efficiency and renewable energy mandates proliferate across the United States. Since 2009, the Federal government has awarded US$4.5 billion in stimulus funds to spur smart grid investment and demonstration. With this injection of funds and the near-term potential of a scaling smart grid, state legislators, regulators, utilities and grid operators are surveying the stakes of commercial integration and laying boundaries for the sector via policy and pilot initiatives.
Report Atlas More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Solar Power Surge Prompts TEP to Seek Changes to SunShare Rebate Program
Jul 19th
TUCSON, Ariz., Jul 14, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — A surge in the popularity of solar energy systems has prompted Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to propose new, lower subsidies for residential customers who install photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
Nearly 1,100 local homeowners have reserved TEP SunShare rebates for PV systems this year, exceeding the total number of residential solar power systems completed over the previous nine years combined. Local businesses also have rushed to invest in solar power systems, draining the funds designated for up-front commercial incentives in 2010.
In response to this unprecedented demand, TEP has asked the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...FHFA statement could bring PACE residential retrofits to a halt unless Congress steps in
Jul 10th
MARK BOSLET: JULY 9, 2010
PACE Program on Life Support
FHFA statement could bring PACE residential retrofits to a halt unless Congress steps in.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, there’s more bad news for the home energy retrofit program PACE.
PACE was already under pressure from mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now the Federal Housing Finance Agency has weighed in with its opinion of the program, and it isn’t good.
The national mortgage regulator claims PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) creates “risk management” challenges and “significant safety and soundness concerns” for mortgage lenders and investors in mortgage securities. The FHFA “urged state and More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Sen. Daschle & Wind Industry Call for Action on Energy Bill
Jun 24th
Published: June 24, 2010
Washington, D.C., United States — At a press conference hosted by former Senator Tom Daschle, a coalition of clean energy industries today called on the White House and Senate leadership to take urgent action upon Congress’ return from the July 4 recess on legislation that includes strong measures to promote clean energy.
“Passage of a federal RES will help open the doors to a wave of manufacturing investment in the USA.”– Steve Dayney, CEO, REPower
“The time for Congress to take action is now,” said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a member of More >
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