Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Sep 11, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/taller-wind-turbines-boost-state-energy-self-reliance/
A story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today highlights the increasingly common use of 100 meter wind turbines for new wind power projects, up from the previous 80 meter standard. The technological change grabs more wind energy, with consistently higher wind speeds at higher altitudes, meaning states can get even more power from a similar… Continue reading
Featured
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Sep 7, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/minnesotas-community-solar-project-minnesota-made/
Update 12/20/12: This project includes battery storage. Just last month, the Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, serving communities just north and west of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, announced Minnesota’s first community solar project. The 40 kW solar array will be located at the cooperative’s headquarters, with members allowed to purchase individual panels in the project… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Aug 27, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/forthcoming-project-washington-state-illustrates-complexity-community-solar/
Colorado just launched their long-awaited community solar gardens law (program subscribed in 30 minutes) and California is progressing on a virtual net metering law that could remove one of many roadblocks to community solar. But the Vashon Community Solar Project in Washington State shows that doing solar community-style hasn’t become easy. The Vashon project will… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 23, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-countys-pace-program-feisty-fhfa/
Does a Riverside County, CA, residential energy financing program put thousands of homeowners on a collision course with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)? In a proposed rule-making, the FHFA has suggested that Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) policies represent a threat to the safety and soundness of mortgages held by government-backed Fannie Mae and Freddie… Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 22, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/clean-programs-feed-in-tariffs/
Few policies make renewable energy production easier than CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) Programs, also known as feed-in tariffs. The basic premise is to require utilities to buy renewable energy from individuals or businesses on long-term, fixed price contracts at prices sufficient to encourage them to invest. The most robust policies span multiple technologies… Continue reading
Article, Resource
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 22, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/hawaiian-sunblock-presentation-barriers-cost-solar/
This presentation by ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell explains how – despite solar power that is cheaper than grid electricity – Hawaii homes and businesses still encounter barriers to going solar. You can also download the full report in PDF, for Kindle, or for your Apple iDevice and sign up for updates on ILSR’s energy… Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 17, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/virtual-net-metering/
Net metering is a common distributed renewable energy policy in the United States, allowing individuals to “turn back” their meter (and reduce their electric bill) by generating on-site electricity. But utility accounting systems typically prevent people from sharing the output from a single, common solar or wind project. Virtual (or group or neighborhood) net metering… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Aug 16, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/colorados-community-solar-program-allots-9-mw-30-minutes/
When you subtract out shady roofs, renters, and other factors, only about 25% of Americans have a place to install solar power. With the high upfront cost of a complete system, the potential solar universe shrinks further. That changes with “community solar.” After a long wait on the state’s Public Utilities Commission to finalize the… Continue reading
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Article, Resource
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 8, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/archiac-utility-rules-stall-local-solar-infographic/
Many people expect that solar power will dramatically expand once it bursts through the cost barrier and becomes less expensive than grid electricity. But archaic utility rules can effectively cap local solar development at just 15% of peak demand. Fortunately, pioneering states like Hawaii and California are exploring ways to lift the cap and bring… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| Updated on
Aug 3, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/comparing-residential-solar-ownership-solar-lease/
It’s a case study of solar in Ithaca, NY, but it provides a good framework for comparing leasing to ownership in any place in the U.S. Solar Economics in Ithaca, NY Comparing solar ownership to a solar lease can be tricky. The following analysis examines the value of owning a 5 kW solar PV system… Continue reading
