Solar Archives - Page 4 of 5

Are Solar and Electric Utilities Really Cooperating?

Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar

Are Solar and Electric Utilities Really Cooperating?

By SolUMarketing|2018-08-10T15:02:27-04:00March 1st, 2017|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Renewable energy can drive enormous job growth, and local investment, with some reports estimating that it will generate over 55,000 additional job-years worked right here in Virginia by 2030. The key to tapping this potential is integrating new sources of energy into the existing electric grid. Since the grid is heavily regulated, this means finding policy solutions that give new sources of energy the space they need to grow. That is why many in the solar industry strongly advocate for

Dear Mr. President…How to Help the Renewable Energy Industry

Policy

Dear Mr. President…How to Help the Renewable Energy Industry

By SolUMarketing|2018-03-02T00:07:06-05:00February 22nd, 2017|Policy|

It seems that every day we see another headline about the incredible growth of renewable energy and its numerous positive effects on the economy. While there is an ongoing discussion about the threat of climate change, there is a growing consensus that renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are not only good for the planet but good for the economy as well. Increasingly, that consensus is spreading across the aisle, bringing opposite ends of the political spectrum together. This

Rick Perry and the DoE, What Does it Mean For Renewables?

Industry

Rick Perry and the DoE, What Does it Mean For Renewables?

By Seth Maughan|2018-03-02T00:11:30-05:00January 25th, 2017|Industry|

When Donald Trump tapped Texas Governor Rick Perry to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, many critics were quick to respond. We were reminded of the time when, during one of his own unsuccessful presidential bids, Gov. Perry vowed to eliminate the DOE, then forgot its name on national television. It has also been pointed out that he does not come with the same scientific expertise as former DOE heads; for example, his BS in Animal Science does not quite

U.S. Solar Jobs Outnumber U.S. Coal Jobs… By A Lot!

Virginia Solar

U.S. Solar Jobs Outnumber U.S. Coal Jobs… By A Lot!

By Seth Maughan|2018-08-10T14:44:57-04:00January 18th, 2017|Virginia Solar|

This month, the Department of Energy released the “U.S. Energy and Employment Report”, an annual report that highlights employment data and trends for each of the energy sectors. While the report concedes that the solar industry employment data is difficult to measure, it suggests that the solar industry may have added 73,000 jobs in the past year, bringing total solar jobs to 373,000. To put this into perspective; the same DOE report puts U.S. coal jobs at roughly 86,000, total.

Virginia’s Attorney General Offers Support to Clean Power Plan

Industry, Policy

Virginia’s Attorney General Offers Support to Clean Power Plan

By Seth Maughan|2018-03-02T00:17:08-05:00January 11th, 2017|Industry, Policy|

In February, the fate of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) was put into question when the Supreme Court put a stay on the rule, pending a judicial review. With the upcoming administration change, the question mark has grown. On December 28, those of us in Virginia learned bit about where our leadership stands when Attorney General Mark Herring affixed his name to an open letter to Donald Trump, urging him to “continue the federal government’s defense of the Clean Power

Powered by Facts: Letter to Supporters

Policy, Virginia Solar

Powered by Facts: Letter to Supporters

By Francis Hodsoll|2018-03-02T00:20:48-05:00December 28th, 2016|Policy, Virginia Solar|

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.

SolUnesco Talks Solar Policy and Growth in Virginia

By Francis Hodsoll|2018-08-10T12:23:48-04:00July 18th, 2016|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

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

Power In Numbers With Community Solar

By Francis Hodsoll|2018-08-10T14:38:00-04:00July 7th, 2016|Industry|

States in every corner of the United States are rapidly advancing the community solar market. GreenTech Media has projected that Community Solar will grow faster than any other solar market segment. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center reported in their 2016 50 States of Solar Quarterly Report that seven states adopted, amended, or reviewed rules governing community solar programs within the past year. For example, Minnesota and Maryland have implemented pilot projects that would demonstrate the benefits of community solar to customers.

Innovation in Response to Solar Demand

By Francis Hodsoll|2018-08-10T14:16:18-04:00May 30th, 2016|Industry|

Last week SolUnesco presented on a panel at Solar Power Southeast in Atlanta, Georgia (Click here to download presentation). The panel focused on the trajectory for solar after the Supreme Court’s Stay on the Clean Power Plan (CPP) including the legal merits of the suit, and the impact on the economics, policy, and market trends. Does the Supreme Court’s Stay mean a slower pace for the development of renewables going forward? One might think so. However, we point to the

Southeastern Utilities Take the Reins on Solar Development

By Francis Hodsoll|2018-08-10T15:15:12-04:00May 16th, 2016|Southeast|

Utilities in southern states are evolving towards a renewable future by embracing their solar energy potential and developing beyond federal renewable energy requirements. Major utilities are beginning to step up and procure or build solar without the requirements of a state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) or other incentives. GTM refers to this market trend as ‘voluntary procurement’ (voluntary procurement is defined as the utility either purchasing the energy and environmental attributes from a third-party or owning the solar power plant).