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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 21, 2011

Addressing Frequently Asked Questions About Solar PV v. Concentrating Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/addressing-frequently-asked-questions-about-solar-pv-v-concentrating-solar/

Although both produce electricity from the sun, there are significant differences between solar PV and concentrating solar thermal electricity generation.  This FAQ provides answers to the most pressing questions about the two solar technologies. 1. Isn’t concentrating solar power cheaper? No.  Five years ago the two technologies were relatively comparable, but in 2011 there’s no… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 20, 2011

Rapid Distributed PV Outstrips Lumbering Solar Thermal

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rapid-distributed-pv-outstrips-lumbering-solar-thermal/

While California lumbers forward with a high-cost, controversial solar strategy built around remote utility-scale solar thermal plants, with the hope that 10,000 megawatts can be built in ten years, Germany is demonstrating now that 10,000 megawatts of distributed PV can be added in only three years.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 20, 2011

Half of Germany’s 43,000 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Owned by Individuals

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/half-germanys-43000-megawatts-renewable-energy-owned-individuals/

Update 10/20/11 – See the updated chart.

From Germany’s Renewable Energy Agency (terms translated by Google):

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Jan 19, 2011

Over 80 Percent of German PV Installed on Rooftops

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/over-80-percent-german-pv-installed-rooftops/

Updated 1/28/11: Talk about distributed generation!  In Germany in 2009, nearly 1 in 5 solar PV systems went on residential rooftops and 60% was installed on small to medium residential or commercial buildings. 

 

The absolute numbers are big, too.  Germany installed nearly 9 gigawatts installed 3 gigawatts of solar in 2009, to reach 9 gigawatts of installed capacity.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 19, 2011

A Look at Electric Vehicle Economics

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/look-electric-vehicle-economics/

The blog Camino Energy has a very detailed analysis of the payback on an electric vehicle (Nissan Leaf) compared to a conventional Toyota Camry.  The author looks specifically at Northern California, where off-peak electricity prices are low enough that utilities could offer electric vehicle (EV) charging at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).  At that rate, with solely night-time charging of the EV and driving 12,000 miles a year, a Nissan Leaf pays back in 5 years. 

The author provides a sensitivity analysis against higher electricity prices, and his entire post is worth reading.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 19, 2011

Nova Scotia Proposes Feed-in Tariffs Solely for Community-Owned Projects

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/nova-scotia-proposes-feed-tariffs-solely-community-owned-projects/

Joining Ontario and several U.S. states, the Canadian province of Nova Scotia has proposed a new twist on a common clean energy program. The policy provides a guaranteed, long-term contract for wind, biomass, hydro, and tidal power producers and offers them the same return on equity provided to utiltiies. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 18, 2011

Turkey Adopts Feed-in Tariff with Buy Local Provision

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/turkey-adopts-feed-tariff-buy-local-provision/

The country of Turkey recently adopted a new feed-in tariff policy for several renewable energy technologies including wind and solar.  What’s notable is not the base rates (the prices are likely too low) but the bonus payments for “made in Turkey” projects.  For a solar PV project, for example, a fully local solar PV system could increase their payment per kilowatt-hour by over 50%.

The policy mimics the highly successful FIT Program in Ontario, where a buy local rule requires participating projects to source at least 60% of their content in the province.  The rule has meant that the 5,000 megawatts of projects in the pipeline have generated the promise of 43,000 jobs.  For more on Ontario’s program, see our recently released report: Maximizing Jobs From Clean Energy: Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ Policy.

Turkey’s policy is noteworthy for using bonus payments, a strategy that is more likely to pass legal muster for U.S. states looking to emulate Ontario’s job creation success.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Jan 14, 2011

Nissan Leaf Owners Seek Self-Reliance

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/nissan-leaf-owners-seek-self-reliance/

How will electric vehicle use change the grid?  If early adopters have their way, less than expected.  Nearly half of Nissan LEAF buyers (in this online forum) intend to power their car with a home solar PV system. 

Anecdotal, to be sure, but a promising sign.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 14, 2011

2009 Wind Technologies Market Report

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/2009-wind-technologies-market-report/

An incredibly thorough, annual analysis of the U.S. wind market.  A must-read for anyone doing analysis of wind power data in the United States. The authors even provide their data file.  Download the report. From the Executive Summary: Wind Power Additions in 2009 Shattered Old Records, with roughly 10 GW of New Capacity Added in… Continue reading