Introducing Freeing the Grid 2012
More States Move to the Head of the Class on Both Interconnection and Net Metering Today the Vote Solar Initiative (Vote Solar) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) released our official 2012 findings for Freeing the Grid, a policy report that grades all 50 states on two key programs: net metering and interconnection procedures. Together, these policies empower American energy consumers to use rooftop solar and other small-scale renewables to meet their own electricity needs. The report was released during Solar Power International, North America’s largest solar tradeshow. Now in its sixth year of production, Freeing the Grid is a guide for improving state net metering and interconnection rules. The online report and resource center is designed to make it easy to access, understand and share best practices and...
“Electric power is everywhere present in unlimited quantities and can drive the world’s machinery without the need of coal, gas, or any other common fuels.”
— Nikola Tesla
Win for Massachusetts and Net Metering!
This article originally appeared on votesolar.org
Great strides for solar occurred in Massachusetts this week with the passage of the 2012 Energy Act. This comprehensive energy bill expands an important solar program called net metering that gives customers credit for the valuable clean power they send to the grid. Massachusetts’ net metering law has successfully enabled thousands of homes, businesses and public agencies to go solar and save on their utility bills. With the cap on net metering now doubled from 3% to 6% of utilities’ peak load, Bay Staters can keep on investing in clean energy to power their lives. (more…)
Keep that net meter spinning NY
This article originally appeared on votesolar.org
Two weeks ago we caught wind that Central Hudson Gas & Electric (CHG&E) in upstate New York had surpassed its net metering program cap of 12 MW and chose to suspend any new applications. To the dismay of many, particularly local solar installers operating in the Hudson Valley, this program suspension came as a bit of a surprise. Local solar installer, Hudson Valley Clean Energy, quickly filed a petition with the NY Public Service Commission requesting both an increase to the utility’s net metering program cap and for the Commission to urge CHG&E to continue accepting applications. (more…)
Freeing the Grid 2.0: Policy Report Card Goes Digital
This article originally appeared on votesolar.org
Tweet Today we launched a snazzy new interactive web version of Freeing the Grid, our policy guide that grades all 50 states on two key programs: net metering and interconnection procedures. Together these policies empower American energy consumers to use rooftop solar and other small-scale renewables to meet their own electricity needs. Now in its sixth year of production, Freeing the Grid is intended to help state policymakers, regulators, advocates and industry stakeholders improve net metering and interconnection rules. The new web version is designed to make it easier to access, understand and share best practices and state progress on these foundational renewable energy policies. (more…)
Bay Staters deserve fair solar credit
Massachusetts is one of our nation’s great solar success stories, due in no small part to their first-rate net metering program. This program has enabled thousands of Massachusetts homes, businesses, and public agenciesto go solar, save on their energy bills, and invest in a healthier, more sustainable power grid for us all. But now, a cap on the state’s net metering program threatens to prevent new customers from getting fair credit on their utility bills for the valuable clean power they put back on the grid for other to use. The current cap on net metering is 3% of peak electricity load, and with so many home and business owners jumping on the solar bandwagon in the last few...
Vermont streamlines process for small net metered systems
On May 31, the Vermont Public Service Board issued an order to increase the system size capacity for proposed net-metered photovoltaic (PV) systems to qualify for an expedited registration process. This order promulgates Act No. 125 (H.475), enacted earlier this year, which increased the size limit of systems eligible for the expedited process. Net-metered PV systems up to 10 kW may now qualify for this expedited permitting process for a Certificate of Public Good (CPG); previously the limit was 5 kW. In short, small PV systems now have fewer hurdles to jump through which ultimately means solar can be installed more quickly, with less cost to the customer. The registration process for a CPG requires the customer to self-certify that they...
CPUC unanimously approves net metering expansion in California
Today the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to give more Californians access to net metering credit for solar power. The 5-0 vote on a Proposed Decision will protect this important solar consumer right for tens of thousands of California homes, schools, businesses and public buildings. Solar policy victories don’t come easily – so today is truly a day to celebrate! Thanks to the hard work of organizations and solar companies across the state, not to mention the nearly 60,000 Californians who expressed their support for net metering, California will continue to be increasingly powered by the sun. Extra special thanks to Governor Brown and the Commissioners themselves for fighting so hard on behalf of this program. Net metering makes sure solar customers get fair...
60,000 Californians Urge the PUC to Say YES to Net Metering
With a PUC vote on the horizon, the final tally is in! Solar, environmental, public interest and science groups banded together to help Californians send nearly 60,000 messages asking the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand a popular clean energy program called net metering. Like rollover minutes on a cell phone, net metering gives solar energy customers fair credit on their monthly utility bills for electricity they put on the grid for others to use. California’s program has allowed over 100,000 homes, businesses, schools, and public agencies to go solar and lower their energy costs. This in turn supports thousands of jobs statewide and reduces the need for expensive, polluting fossil-based power plants. California law caps the amount of net...