Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
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| Updated on
Sep 20, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/residential-pv-prices-germany-united-states/
Earlier this week, Lawrence Berkeley Labs released a marvelous comparison of residential PV costs in Germany and the United States, finally putting some detail to an enormous gulf in costs (nearly $3.00 per Watt). The following chart (from page 35 of the presentation) shows the cost difference broken down into 9 categories, with ILSR’s addition… Continue reading
Article
filed under
Energy
| Written by
John Farrell
|
| 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
|
| 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
Rule
filed under
Banking
| Written by
admin
|
| 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/rule/depositing-public-funds-in-local-banks/local-responsible-banking-resolution-portland/
This resolution directs the City Treasurer to shift up to $2.5 million in city funds to local financial institutions. 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
Featured
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
Rule
filed under
Composting, Waste to Wealth
| Written by
admin
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| Updated on
Jul 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/yard-waste-reduction/markham-canada/
The Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada, has one of the most progressive and successful organic waste reduction programs in North America. Markham has taken a comprehensive environmental approach, by implementing policies that reduce organic waste across the public, private, and residential sectors. Continue reading
Rule
filed under
Composting, Waste to Wealth
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jul 30, 2012
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/compost-amended-soil/leander-texas/
On March 15th, 2007, the City of Leander, Texas passed and approved the Water Conservation Ordinance No. 07-018-00. Drought prone climate conditions and sharing water rights to/supply from the Colorado River with regional states warranted expanded water conservation and environmental landscaping policies; most notably, a minimum required percentage of organic content in landscaping activities. Continue reading
