Should you be able to reduce the amount of energy you buy from your utility by generating your own power? Or does a utility have the right to demand that you buy all your power from them, even if you Read more…
Tag: net-metering
The problem is not too much solar. That might seem self-evident, but that is basically what utilities around the country are arguing — and trying to ‘fix.’ As energy users are increasingly turning to solar to generate their own emission-free Read more…
Earlier this year, Minnesota became the first state to formalize dozens of studies by adopting a “value of solar” formula that would fundamentally change the relationship between solar energy producers and their utility. It’s designed to have the utility accurately Read more…
If you’re like most renewable energy advocates that have interacted with a Public Utilities Commission, you probably don’t think they’re a repository of progressive policy toward distributed renewable energy. In general, you’re right. But it’s worth sharing a few, promising Read more…
I spent part of this week in Utah, where the major utility has proposed a discriminatory fee for net metered solar customers as part of its General Rate Case – or GRC. GRCs are typically complicated matters. They evaluate a Read more…
We are applauding the results of a study from the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), which found that rooftop solar and other small clean energy systems installed through 2016 will deliver $36 million in net benefits to Nevada ratepayers. The study was Read more…
Long a national leader on clean energy policy, Massachusetts is close to raising the bar when it comes to solar, with a legislative package that would dramatically expand access to solar energy in the state. A comprehensive solar energy bill (H.4185) was introduced last Read more…
The transformation taking place in the electricity system is enormous, but twofold. But most commentators – including the former FERC chair – miss half the opportunity when they fixate on the inevitable technological rather than the more fundamental economic transformation. Read more…
As we reported last April 2013 San Antonio’s municipal utility, CPS Energy, attempted an unjustified rollback of its net metering program. Public outcry was such that the utility quickly decided to shelve their proposal, and instead “study” the impacts of distributed solar Read more…
Solar power is at a unique place in history. It’s growing rapidly, its price is falling precipitously. Within the next 10 years, it will compete favorably with utilities for electricity sales, on price, and without subsidies. Given its rapid ascent, Read more…
We get very excited about the idea of a next-generation approach to power markets that takes full advantage of the suite of clean energy technologies available (what can we say, we’re electricity geeks). We want solar and renewables to work Read more…
The future of rooftop solar in California was front and center this week at the California PUC’s first workshop on the design of the expanded net metering program. Following a strong recent decision keeping the rules stable for existing net metering Read more…
On April 7, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission resoundingly rejected (click the link for an annotated ruling) a severely lacking community solar gardens proposal from Xcel Energy and required substantial improvements for the utility’s revised filing. The regulatory smack-down means Read more…
Yesterday, Environment Massachusetts released a new report called Shining Cities: At the Forefront of America’s Solar Energy Revolution, which ranks our nation’s top solar cities. The top 5 by total installed capacity are certainly known for their sunshine: Los Angeles, San Read more…