Policy

House votes to repeal Inflation Reduction Act in debt limit negotiations While unlikely to pass the Senate, it's a sign the House may keep working to curb IRA incentives.

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:09:07 +0000

On April 27, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, a Republican bill that would repeal the majority of the clean energy incentives enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). SEIA remains confident that a repeal of the IRA will not succeed in this Congress, but cautions the solar…

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While unlikely to pass the Senate, it's a sign the House may keep working to curb IRA incentives. appeared first on Solar Power World.

Energy community bonus credit delivers lucrative project sites to solar developers and tax dollars to towns

Kelsey Misbrener — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 12:01:52 +0000

The “energy community” tax credit adder in the Inflation Reduction Act presents a potential renewable windfall to developers and could bring much-needed tax revenue to communities affected by the dissipating fossil fuel industry. Solar projects are eligible for an additional 10% tax credit adder on top of the potential 30% investment tax credit (ITC) or…

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New law ensures stable bill credits for Colorado community solar customers

Kelsey Misbrener — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:30:28 +0000

Governor Jared Polis signed HB 23-1337, sponsored by Representative Lukens (D-District 26), Representative Valdez (D-District 5), Senator Roberts (D-District 8) and Senator Hansen (D-District 31), to update Colorado’s community solar gardens (CSG) program to ensure subscribers receive stable bill credits from utilities. “By working together with the solar industry and utilities, this law stabilizes the…

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DOE announces funding to support solar PV recycling innovations The $82 million will also support development of domestic CdTe and perovskite solar manufacturing.

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 13:24:45 +0000

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $52 million for 19 selected projects, including $10 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to strengthen America’s domestic solar supply chain and $30 million in funding for technologies that will help integrate solar energy into the grid. The research,…

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The $82 million will also support development of domestic CdTe and perovskite solar manufacturing. appeared first on Solar Power World.

Conservation coalition confirms wind and solar transition is best route for the environment But the group says the industry must develop the right types of renewables in the right places.

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:00:16 +0000

The rapid transition to renewable energy offers opportunities to reset the broken relationship between energy production and nature, according to a new report by the Coalition Linking Energy And Nature for action (CLEANaction). In its first major report, CLEANaction confirms that even when the full range of environmental impacts — from sourcing raw materials to…

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But the group says the industry must develop the right types of renewables in the right places. appeared first on Solar Power World.

Numerous states shifted to avoided-cost or time-varying net-metering programs in Q1 2023

Kelsey Misbrener — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:14:48 +0000

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q1 2023 edition of “The 50 States of Solar.” The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on distributed solar policy, with a focus on net metering, distributed solar valuation, community solar, residential fixed charges, residential demand and solar charges, third-party…

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Maryland bill to permanently expand community solar awaits governor’s signature

Kelsey Misbrener — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:11:29 +0000

Maryland State Delegate Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) announced the passage of HB 908 on April 11, which, once signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore, will expand access to clean, reliable and affordable solar power for all Marylanders. The bill, cross-filed with SB 613 led by State Senator Ben Brooks (D-Baltimore County), will achieve this…

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Conservation groups sue FEMA for funneling Puerto Rico disaster funds into more fossil fuel generation

Kelsey Misbrener — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 12:47:02 +0000

Conservation and community groups sued the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security in April over their plans to rebuild Puerto Rico’s centralized electric grid back to the fossil fuel status quo instead of investing in the distributed renewable energy Puerto Ricans need. “Fossil fuel power plants produce pollutants that poison our…

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IRS provides guidance on ‘energy community’ bonus credit in IRA

Kelly Pickerel — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:07:30 +0000

The Dept. of the Treasury has issued eligibility requirements for “energy communities” seeking a 10% ITC or PTC adder via the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The three categories of energy communities are explained in Sec. 45(y) and 48(e) of the Internal Revenue Code: 1) a brownfield site, 2) a location that has a 0.17% or…

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The Solar Policy Scoop: April 2023 A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country.

Kelsey Misbrener — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:35 +0000

New Mexico reaches $10 million payout for 2022 rooftop solar customers Santa Fe, New Mexico New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department announced it issued more than $10 million worth of tax credit certificates to residents who installed solar energy systems on their homes in 2022. The Solar Market Development Tax Credit Program offers…

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A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country. appeared first on Solar Power World.

North Carolina Utilities Commission approves three-year glide path for solar customers

Kelsey Misbrener — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:22:44 +0000

On March 23, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) issued final orders in its net metering “Smart $aver” docket. The Commission approved a three-year glide path for solar customers to transition from monthly credits to a more dynamic time-of-use rate structure that incentivizes the use of solar when it is most valuable. The order also…

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SolSmart program plans to certify 500 new localities by 2027

Kelsey Misbrener — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:08:50 +0000

The national SolSmart program is expanding to help 500 more cities, towns, counties and regional organizations strengthen local solar energy markets, achieve energy equity goals, and encourage economic growth. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the SolSmart program offers expert technical assistance at no cost to help local governments adopt nationally recognized best practices…

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Congressional Progressive Caucus starts task force to help accomplish IRA goals

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:19:12 +0000

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced the launch of a new task force, the Accelerating Clean Energy (ACE) Task Force, which will be led by CPC Vice Chair Jared Huffman (CA-02). Under Huffman’s leadership, the task force will develop a blueprint for expeditiously achieving the benefits of the 117th Congress’ historic investments in…

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New California bill aims for more solar over parking lots and along highways

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:04:55 +0000

On March 15, Environment California submitted a letter of support signed by 64 environmental, consumer and other community groups to Senator Josh Becker declaring support for Senate Bill 49. SB 49, authored by Senator Becker and sponsored by Environment California, would encourage solar canopies over parking lots and direct California to plan for solar power…

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More than 100 groups ask CPUC to delay NEM 3.0 The groups are urging the commission to delay implementation until it can resolve issues raised in an administrative appeal.

Kelsey Misbrener — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:36:33 +0000

California regulators should revise a new rooftop solar plan to make solar more affordable for low-income communities, dozens of groups will tell the California Public Utilities Commission at its meeting Thursday. The commission’s plan drastically slashes the credit new solar users would get for sharing their extra solar energy with the grid. More than 100…

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The groups are urging the commission to delay implementation until it can resolve issues raised in an administrative appeal. appeared first on Solar Power World.