Our friend Karen Schaufeld, Powered by Facts, published the following open letter in support of solar electricity. Powered by Facts, MDV-SEIA (the regional solar trade association) and the electric utilities have spent the last eight months developing a consensus view on a broad range of issues impacting the deployment of solar energy in Virginia. SolUnesco has supported this process and supports the Bills forthcoming from this process.
On Wednesday we presented at the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers (VAAO) Property Assessment Conference (Click here to download presentation). The association and their conferences provide continuing education to the Virginia community of assessors. We believe that maintaining a healthy dialogue with the professionals who determine land values for the purpose of tax assessments serves the solar industry well. Francis Hodsoll, CEO, presented on policies driving national solar markets and their application to the Virginia framework. He also explained the tremendous
The opportunity for growth in the renewable energy industry is more promising than ever with the combination of the 2014 Clean Power Plan and the 2015 Paris Climate COP 21 agreement. SolUnesco looks to be at the forefront of decarbonizing the current energy system in Virginia by developing large-scale renewable energy projects. Over the last few weeks Francis Hodsoll, SolUnesco President, presented at the Resilient Virginia Conference in Richmond and the VMI Environment Virginia Symposium in Lexington. In both presentations,
More than 100 megawatts of projects hang in the balance in the state. In 2016, Virginia’s solar industry could grow more than 1,000 percent compared with 2015 — a 750 percent increase over all the solar ever deployed in the state. As you digest the Paris climate COP 21 agreement – 195 countries reach agreement to hold temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius – how will we achieve this ambitious agreement? Clearly we need to dramatically expand clean energy.
In the State Corporation Commission (SCC) hearing last Thursday, Francis Hodsoll on behalf of MDV-SEIA (the local solar association) testified to the benefits from competitive third-party solar. Mr. Hodsoll has 20 years’ experience in the energy industry including leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. He compared costs, risks and likely future deployments of solar energy from competitively procured solar power in contrast to a plant built and operated by the regulated monopoly Virginia Electric Power, Dominion’s Virginia
Virginia Market No enabling legislation to allow the private market to participate in community solar Pent-up demand for solar in Virginia is creating a specific demand for community solar Community solar options are being pursued by cooperatives and investor owned utilities at various levels Absence of a competitive market will not allow best pricing for consumers of these utility owned options DC Market Final of regulations for Community Renewable Energy Act Rooftop leases Low income segment not being adequately served
Yesterday, in advance of Governor McAuliffe’s meeting with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginian-Pilot published an op-ed by VAEIC board president, Francis Hodsoll. Echoing last week’s report by VAEIC and the Advanced Energy Economy Institute, the op-ed highlights the economic opportunity the Clean Power Plan represents for Virginia. An excerpt: “This summer, we expect a final Clean Power Plan rule, the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement that states reduce carbon pollution from electricity generation. The big question for Virginia:
Fifty business leaders sent Governor McAuliffe a letter supporting new reductions in carbon pollution through the use of clean advanced energy technologies. These business leaders stated “we urge your administration to develop a strong plan to implement the recently proposed Clean Power Plan which facilitates a clean energy economy through the reduction of carbon pollution from power plants.” Virginia Business reported the letter was released “[j]ust in time for today’s Virginia General Assembly hearing on the federal Clean Power Plan
