Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Feb 23, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/german-policy-solar-america-wunderbar/
This post was originally titled Residential Solar for $2.24 per Watt in Germany? The Germans are debating significant revisions to their landmark renewable energy policy, and instead of declaring the death of the German solar market, Americans should focus on why solar still costs so much on this side of the Atlantic. After a significant… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Feb 23, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/residential-solar-2-24-watt-germany/
The Germans have proposed significant revisions to their landmark renewable energy policy, the feed-in tariff, and the proposed prices should make Americans wonder why solar still costs so much on this side of the Atlantic. After a significant step-down in March, German utilities will be buying rooftop solar on long-term contracts from projects 10 kilowatts… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Feb 23, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/citizens-make-an-example-of-minnesota-community-wind-project/
Community wind promises to expand the economic opportunity of transitioning the electricity system to cleaner energy, and engage local communities. Unfortunately, there’s “community wind” and community wind, as one Minnesota project starkly illustrates. Goodhue Wind was first envisioned as a “community wind” project by National Wind in 2008 as a 78 megawatt (MW) wind power… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Feb 14, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/epas-green-power-partnership-helps-big-corporations-greenwash/
Update 4/23/13: EPA has updated its rankings to reflect green power as a percentage of total electricity use, accurately portraying Walmart’s paltry 4% renewable energy. While I generally have nothing but praise for the Environmental Protection Agency, their Green Power Partnership program falls short of the agency’s usual standard. In particular, the program – providing… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Feb 2, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-distributed-solar-can-reduce-electricity-prices/
What if installing more solar could reduce electricity prices? It’s already happening in Germany, world leader in solar power, and it’s likely to happen in the U.S., too. Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Feb 1, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/electricity-priced-hour-boosts-distributed-solar/
Updated 2/1/12 because I underestimated how the tiered pricing worked. Thanks to bkarney at Renewable Energy World for the comment. Last week I wrote about the time-of-use pricing scheme that PG&E offers in San Francisco, and how solar power is worth 14% more compared to a standard flat-rate electricity plan. In reality, it’s 36% or… Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
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admin
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| Updated on
Jan 31, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/distributed-generation-in-local-plans/merton-rule-united-kingdom/
With aims to inspire renewable energy generation at the local level, in October 2003, Merton became the first local authority in the United Kingdom (UK) to adopt a policy requiring new non-residential developments to generate a portion of their energy needs from on-site renewables. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
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admin
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| Updated on
Jan 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/vehicle-limitations/
New Jersey was first state in the country to ban large tractor-trailers from its state roads and highways. The restriction, went into effect in July 1999, confined large trucks (more than 102 inches wide) that were not doing business in the state to interstate highways and a system of major highways and connector roads. Other cities have begun charging increased fees for vehicles that have larger environmental impacts. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
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| Updated on
Jan 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/solar-energy/
As climate change initiatives and renewable energy standards are adopted at both the local and state level across the country, solar energy technologies are getting more focused attention by policymakers. Below are a selection of rules that target efforts to enhance solar energy development – both thermal and electric (photovoltaics). Solar power is likely to become the “fuel” for our transportation sector as we move toward a future with electric vehicles. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/renewable-fuels-standard/
Minimum blends of biodiesel and ethanol in petroleum-based fuels are required in order to be sold within the city and requirements that city-owned vehicles maximize use of renewable fuels. Cities that may copy this approach should consider broadening the definition of renewable fuels to include renewable electricity used for electric vehicles. Continue reading
