Alliance for Renewable Energy

New York Solar Energy Society Calls for Feed-in Tariffs

 
From Paul Gipe:

The New York Solar Energy Society (NYSES) has sent out an action alert calling on its members to support Senate Bill S2715A, the New York Renewable Energy Sources Act. The bill was introduced by State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Buffalo), Chair of the Senate's Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.

NYSES' alert includes 14 talking points that explain why New York state needs renewable energy now and how feed-in tariffs will make it happen.

Previously, the New York State Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA) had called for action on feed-in tariffs in support of Senator Thompson's bill. See New York SEIA Calls for Feed-in Tariffs.

Both Florida's SEIA and California's SEIA have called for various versions of feed-in tariffs in their respective states.

Neither the American Solar Energy Society nor the national Solar Energy Industries Association has explicitly called for feed-in tariffs. Recently, however, the Solar Alliance, a trade association of solar PV manufacturers and developers, posted its policy in support of feed-in tariffs. See Solar Alliance Position Paper on Feed-in Tariffs.

NYSES' campaign for feed-in tariffs in the Empire State is being led by Wyldon Fishman, the founder and current president of NYSES.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user fergusonphotography, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

What's New with Feed-In Tariffs?

From Paul Gipe (Wind-Works.org):

• We Actually Can?! by Miguel Mendonça--When first writing on this site a few years ago, and advocating the feed-in tariff policy for market development of renewables, there were no such laws in Britain or North America. They are now coming into being, and this is in part due to the fact that initially small, but ever-snowballing groups of people, made it their business to push for legislative progress. . .
• South Africa's Nersa makes Refit phase two decision; contracts expected in November by Christy van der Merwe--The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Friday published it’s decision on the second phase of the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (Refit), and stated that the power purchase agreement could be expected in November. . .
• What solar will cost in Germany by Craig Morris--The RWI study is therefore roughly 50 percent off the mark according to her calculation, i.e. solar is not that expensive. . .
• Michael Eckhart, ACORE, on the RWI "study" of German FITs--So, they figure, if they are to justify coal and nuclear, they must first discredit the FIT. . .
• Craig Morris German PV Investment Summary
• Germany Installs 2.34GW, FIT to Decline 9-11% by Ucilia Wang, Greentech Media--Demand in Germany has picked up since mid-year. The new ruling coalition seeks to calm fears of a cut to the country’s solar incentives. . .
• Globe & Mail: New rules could fuel green bonanza--Ontario's new Green Energy Act could pump as much as $4.5-billion into the hands of the province's renewable energy companies, utilities and power distribution firms. . .
• German coalition steers away from solar tariff cuts--The recently elected German coalition government has dropped plans for major cuts to solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs. . .
• New York Times: Worldwide Feed-in Tariffs Best for Investors By John Lorinc--Countries that adopt policies obliging utilities to purchase a percentage of their power from renewable sources at above-market prices ­ also known as a “feed-in tariff” ­ represent the safest harbors for investors looking to finance clean-energy ventures, according to a broad-ranging risk analysis released Monday by Deutsche Bank’s global asset management group and Columbia University’s Earth Institute. . .
• Grist: Why solar won’t topple in Germany by Craig Morris--Since the new center-right coalition won the elections a few weeks ago in Germany, onlookers from the U.S. have been expecting the country to drastically cut its support for solar. . .
• Reuters: New German government won't slash solar power rates--Germany's conservatives and their Free Democrat allies will reform the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) but cuts for solar power rates will be modest to prevent harming the fast-growing industry, a coalition source said on Sunday. .

San Antonio Boosting Incentives for Solar

From My San Antonio: "CPS Energy wants to spur San Antonio's solar industry by promising to buy power produced by local solar facilities.

The plan, based on feed-in tariffs that helped launch the solar industries in Spain and Germany, offers local solar producers 20-year contracts for their power at 27 cents per kilowatt-hour. That's roughly three times the rate that local residents pay CPS Energy for power." Read more.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user 'J', shared under a Creative Commons license.)

Ontario Rockets to Top Ten of Solar PV in North America

From Wind-Works: "With activation October 5th of a 9.1 megawatt (MW) solar PV project in eastern Ontario, the Canadian province has rocketed to the top ten solar jurisdictions in North America.

Ontario was already one of the leaders in solar energy development in North America with 1.7 MW of solar PV projects operating in the province."

Read more.

(Photo shared under a Creative Commons license.)

Solar Alliance Supports FITs

The Solar Alliance issued a Position Paper on Feed-in Tariffs in July 2009. In it they stated, "The Solar Alliance believes that properly designed FITs are an effective policy instrument to promote the growth of solar energy." Read more.

Greece Unveils New REP Legislation

Greece recently announced new REP legislation for rooftop solar PV. The rate, €0.55/kWh, is one of the highest in Europe, and there is no cap to the program. Read more.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user Marcelgermain, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

US Legislative Action, January - April 2009

During this time, Renewable Energy Payment legislative action has moved forward in 16 states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

ARE member groSolar expands in Maryland

groSolar, a corporate member of ARE, is North America’s premier distributor, installer and integrator of solar energy solutions for residential and commercial installations. In a January 23rd press release, Chesapeake Solar, a groSolar company, said it will be expanding its office space and adding an operations/distribution center in Howard County. Read more.

Founded in 1998, groSolar now encompass offices and warehouses across the continent, distributing solar electric and solar hot water systems from offices in VT, NJ, NY, CT, MA, MD, DE, PA, CO, OR, MT, and CA. groSolar integrates components from leading solar manufacturers including Evergreen Solar, PanelClaw, Motech,  Heliodyne, SMA, Fronius and UniRac into simple solar energy systems for customers that generate clean, reliable energy for decades. groSolar is a mission-driven company dedicated to providing high quality solar energy solutions and whole energy appreciation. groSolar’s venture capital investors include NGP Energy Technology Partners, SJF Ventures, and Calvert Social Investment Fund.

Learn more at groSolar.com, or call 800.374.4494 from 8am – 5pm EST.

Japan Announces Solar Feed in Tariff

Japan's government is launching a net model feed-in tariff scheme where owners of grid connected solar power systems will be paid a premium rate for surplus electricity generated.

This is again excellent news for the advancement of Renewable Energy Payments as one of the most successful ways of stimulating uptake of renewable energy.

Read More

Solar Power International 2008: North America’s Largest Solar Event

Solar Power International 2008, October 13-16, San Diego Convention Center.

Top vendors presenting the state-of-the-art in solar energy technologies and services; 60+ conference sessions and workshops; world-renowned CEO Panel plenary session; extensive exhibits and industry networking opportunities including manufacturers, project developers and contractors, electric utilities, and large buyers such as big box stores.

Solar Power 2008 will encompass the full range of solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics, concentrating photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and solar hot water and space heating and cooling. Last year’s event sold out in advance, so organizers encourage early registration.

For more information visit: www.SolarPowerConference.com.