RER Energy Group
Date: 2021-02-15
Reading, Pennsylvania-headquartered solar energy specialist RER Energy Group is reporting the official commissioning and startup of the Saranac Lake N.Y Community Solar farm -- the first community solar project of its size in the Adirondacks.

RER Energy was the site manager and installer of the 25 rows of solar panels on the 10 acre installation which is expected to generate more than 2.4 million kWh of energy per year. (Source: RER Energy Group, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, 13 Feb., 2021) Contact: RER Energy Group, Jim Kurtz, Pres., 610-332-7232, www.rerenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News RER Energy Group ,  Commuity Solar,  

Arcadia
Date: 2021-02-05
Arcadia, a monthly subscription service that connects renters and homeowners across the US to wind and solar energy through their utility accounts, today announced a new partnership with Mass.-based Biogen, a pioneer in neuroscience, that will offer all US-based Biogen employees access to 100 pct community solar renewable energy in their homes.

Arcadia's renewable energy offering is a key component of the employee engagement goals for this initiative, through which Biogen became the first Fortune 500 company committing to become fossil fuel free across its operations by 2040.

For Biogen employees participating in the company's Renewable Electricity Opt-in Program, Biogen will cover the cost premium of purchasing 100 pct renewable electricity. US-based employees have the option to participate in the Arcadia subscription program, while those in the US and international locations that have already signed up to a 100 pct renewable electricity contract with their home energy supplier can receive a fixed annual reimbursement of $200. For employees that cannot enroll in renewable electricity programs due to regulatory restrictions, who do not pay their electricity, or that want an alternative to the fixed annual reimbursement, Biogen will purchase and retire 11 MWh of renewable energy credits, an amount equal to the average household usage.

Founded in 2014, Arcadia integrates with 125 utilities in all 50 states, manages 4.5 terawatt-hours of residential energy demand, and is the largest manager of residential community solar subscribers in the US. (Source: Arcadia, PR, 5 Feb., 2021) Contact, Arcadia, Alexa Minerva, Senior Director of Partnerships, Brennan Johnson, 401-556-0662, brennan.johnson@arcadia.com, www.arcadia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Arcadia,  Solar,  Community Solar,  Renewable Energy,  

Priority Power Management, Satori Energy Solutions
Date: 2021-02-01
Texas-based Priority Power Management, LLC, an independent energy management services and consulting firm, is reporting acquisition of Chicago-headquartered Satori Energy Solutions, LLC.

Satori provides expertise and service to more than 55,000 industrial, municipal, and residential clients in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Canada, and Mexico. The company's capabilities span the spectrum of Energy Structuring and Market Intelligence Operations, including: energy procurement, market price monitoring, contract administration, review, and negotiation, transaction due diligence, demand-side curtailment program evaluation, energy and invoice auditing, capacity PLC notification, budgeting and forecasting, and utility account and service setup.

Satori also has experience and expertise in energy transition, from sustainable energy and energy resiliency solutions, including community solar aggregation and behind-the-meter installations, to purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and carbon offsets, LEED certification, and ENERGY STAR® Certification and energy benchmarking.

Priority Power is the #1 Independent Energy Solutions Provider focused on Energy Infrastructure, Energy Transition Program Management, Market Intelligence Operations, and Energy Structuring. Priority serves over 1,600 clients, totaling $2.4/BN in energy spend across 37 states. Priority is backed by Ara Partners, a private equity firm specializing in decarbonization investments in the industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels, and the food and agriculture sectors. (Source: Priority Power Management, LLC, PR, Feb., 2021) Contact: Ara Partners, (917) 439-3507, www.arapartners.com; Priority Power Management, LLC, John J. Bick, Managing Principal, (972) 314-9040, JBick@PriorityPower.net , www.prioritypower.net; Satori Energy Solutions, 312-850-2300, www.satorienergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Management,  Energy Efficiency,  

Hawaiian Electric
Date: 2021-01-27
Honolulu-headquartered Hawaiian Electric (HECO) is reporting a 55 pct jump in new customer sited rooftop solar systems in 2020 compared to 2019.

In 2020, 5,965 new rooftop solar systems were installed across Oahu, Hawaii Island and Maui Counties up 55 pct from the 3,840 systems in 2019. Of the new systems, 4,624, or 78 pct include battery storage.

At the end of 2020, there were 87,848 private customer systems generating 968 MW connected to HECO's five island grids, including 9,751 with energy storage. In total, about 3.7 million panels are in use.

With this increase, 36 pct of single-family homes on Ohu, 29 pct in Maui County and 21 pct on Hawaii Island have rooftop solar.

For customers who cannot take advantage of private rooftop solar, HECO will soon launch its shared community solar program to extend the financial and environmental benefits of clean energy to a wider range of residents such as renters and customers with low-to-moderate incomes. (Source: Hawaiian Electric, PR, 25 Jan., 2021) Contact: Hawaiian Electric, Peter Rosegg, 808.371.7474, peter.rosegg@hawaiianelectric.com, www.hawaiianelectric.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News HECO,  Hawaiian Electric,  Rooftop Solar,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

NOCO
Date: 2021-01-20
Tonawanda, NY-based diversified energy company NOCO is reporting a master agreement with developers to purchase the solar credits from approximately 15 community solar array installations generating roughly 60 million kWh per year across the National Grid and NYSEG service territories.

The $120 million contractis in keeping with the company's goal to offset 40 pct of its electric portfolio with solar purchases by its residential and commercial customers by 2024.

NOCO is a full-service energy company serving homes and businesses throughout Western and Central New York State since 1933. NOCO's products and services include renewable energy and clean air solutions, bio-products, natural gas, electric, propane, heating oil, commercial fuels, HVAC, used oil and fluid waste recycling.(Source: NOCO, PR, Website, Jan., 2021) Contact: NOCO, James Dentinger, Pres., 800-662-6776, www.noco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Community Solar,  

New Mexico, Renewable Energy
Date: 2021-01-15
In Santa Fe, New Mexico legislators are preparing to introduce a bill in the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session to allow community solar developments in the state.

In the 2020 Legislative Session, lawmakers called for the creation of a community solar working group to study the concept and its application in New Mexico.

The passage of community solar legislation would provide homeowners a larger-scale, cheaper option than individual home rooftop solar arrays and allow widespread use of solar power on a scale smaller than large utilities. (Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus, 12 Jan., 2021)

More Low-Carbon Energy News New Mexico Solar,  Community Solar,  

ENGIE, Hannon Armstrong
Date: 2020-12-11
Houston-headquartered ENGIE North America reports it is partnering with Annapolis, Maryland-based Hannon Armstrong, a leading investor in climate change solutions, to jointly invest in a Distributed Generation (DG) portfolio of community solar and solar-plus-storage assets totaling roughly 70 MW in Massachusetts, Illinois, Vermont, California, Texas, and Arizona.

The agreement will allow ENGIE to rely on committed capital by Hannon Armstrong through December 31, 2021 to finance DG assets across the U.S. ENGIE will retain partial ownership and provide development, construction, operational, asset management, and administrative services. Hannon Armstrong will provide capital to ENGIE through a unique structure that will bring efficiency to a forward flow of projects, leveraging tax equity financing through an upper-tier arrangement with Morgan Stanley.

ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help customers decarbonize, decentralize and digitalize their operations. These include comprehensive services to help customers run their facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and expense; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100 pct of the company's power generation portfolio is low carbon or renewable

NYSE-listed Hannon Armstrong provides capital to leading companies in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainable infrastructure markets. (Source: ENGIE North America, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: ENGIE North America, Sandrine Deparis, (202) 855 3705, sandrine.deparis@engie.com, www.engie-na.com Hannon Armstrong, Chad Reed, IR, (410) 571 6189, Investors@hannonarmstrong.com, www.hannonarmstrong.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ENGIE,  Hannon Armstrong,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  Solar+Storage ,  

Cubico Buffalo Holdings,RES America Development
Date: 2020-12-09
Cubico Buffalo Holdings I, LLC is reporting acquisition of the 100 MW, Delta's Edge Solar facility near Greenwood in Carroll County, Mississippi, which is being developed by RES America Developments. The project is expected to come online in about two years.

Hattiesburg-based Cooperative Energy will purchase all facility's power production. Cooperative Energy is a not-for-profit, 11 member-owned generation and transmission cooperative. Cooperative Energy approved its first member-owned (residential) solar systems in 2010, and began operating five solar-powered electrical stations in 2016 in Taylorsville, Lucedale, Kiln, Greenwood, and Lyon Mississippi.

The 11 electric cooperatives own and maintain approximately 57,300 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 432,000 homes and businesses in 55 counties. (Source: Cubico Buffalo Holdings Contact: Cubico Buffalo Holdings, Cubico Invest, www.cubicoinvest.com; RES Americas, Andrew Fowler, (303) 439-4225, andrew.fowler@res-americas.com, www.res-americas.com; Cooperative Energy, 601-268-2083, www.cooperativeenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Community Solar,  RES America ,  

Cypress Creek Renewables
Date: 2020-12-04
Cypress Creek Renewables announced it has completed the sale of two Massachusetts community solar projects totaling 6.35 MW to CarVal Investors. The projects, which are located in Bristol and Franklin counties, are community solar projects that Cypress Creek developed under the state's Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program.

The projects were originally developed by Clean Energy Collective then purchased by Cypress Creek which completed all late-stage development work. Construction is currently underway on both projects by EPC renewable energy contractor Signal Energy, with commercial operation slated for Spring 2021. Cypress Creek O&M Services will provide operations and maintenance for the projects. (Source: Cypress Creek Renewables, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: Cypress Creek Renewable, Sarah Slusser, CEO, (310) 581-6299, info@ccrenew.com, www.cypresscreekrenewables.com; CarVal Investors, www.carvalinvestors.com; Signal Energy, www.signalenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Signal Energy ,  Cypress Creek Renewables ,  Community Solar,  Solar,  

RENEW Madison ,City of Madison
Date: 2020-11-20
In the Badger State, the City of Madison and RENEW Madison are reporting the MadiSUN Backyard Solar Solar program is issuing grant funding to two Madison nonprofits -- Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, the Bethel Lutheran Church , and an anonymous not-for-profit -- and affordable housing developer Movin'Out for "back yard" community solar projects.

Each group received $10,000 for a total of $40,000 which is expected to create nearly $550,000 of local investments in renewable energy, according to a news release. The MadiSUN Solar Program is intended to increase solar adoption and access to solar power across the city. (Source: MadiSUN, City of Madison, PR, 18 Nov., 2020) Contact: MadiSUN, Heather Allen, Prog. Dir., 608.255.4044, www.madisunsolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  MadiSUN,  Community Solar,  

Nexamp
Date: 2020-09-18
Boston-headquartered solar energy and energy storage provider Nexamp Inc, reports it is acquiring a 50 MW portfolio of Maine community solar projects from Atlanta-headquartered Dimension Energy.

Dimension Energy developed each of the 10 projects that will contribute millions of kWh of annual renewable electricity production toward Maine's goal of providing 80 pct clean energy by 2030 and 100 pct by 2050.

Nexamp will build the assets and manage customer subscriptions as the long-term project owner. (Source: Nexamp. PR, Website, Sept., 2020) Contact: Nexamp, Zaid Ashai, CEO, Keith Hevenor, (617) 431-1440, www.nexamp.com; Dimension Energy Rafael Dobrzynski, CEO , www.dimension-energy.com; Central Maine Power, www.cmpco.com; Versant Power, www.versantpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nexamp,  Community Solar,  Solar,  

Duke Energy Renewables, REC Solar
Date: 2020-08-21
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke Energy Renewables reports the closing of $109.4 million in a preferred tax equity funding from Goldman Sachs' Alternative Energy Investing Group.

The investment will be used over 18 months to fund a diverse portfolio of approximately 75 MW of solar and solar-plus-storage projects to be developed and constructed by Duke Energy Renewables' subsidiary REC Solar. Projects will feature ground-mount and rooftop commercial and industrial projects, as well as community solar projects in several states.

Duke Energy Renewables, a non-regulated unit of Duke Energy, operates U.S. wind and solar generation facilities totaling 3,000 MW as well as energy storage and microgrid projects. (Source: Duke Energy News Center, Website, 18 Aug., 2020) Contact: Duke Energy Renewables, Chris Fallon, (704) 594-6200, chris.fallon@duke-energy.com, www.duke-energy.com; REC Solar, www.recsolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Duke Energy Renewables,  Solar,  Solar Storage,  REC Soilar,  

Clearway Energy Group
Date: 2020-08-10
CIT Group's Power and Energy reports it served as lead arranger for approximately $185 million in financing for a 66-MW portfolio of 19 community solar projects for San Francisco-based Clearway Energy Group in Massachusetts, Illinois and New York State.

As previously reported, CIT announced that it had also served as lead arranger on approximately $200 million in financing for another Clearway portfolio of 21 community solar projects encompassing 76 MW of generation capacity located in New York State, Illinois, Massachusetts and Minnesota. (Source: CIT Group, PR, 10 Aug., 2020) Contact: CIT Group, www.cit.com; Clearway Energy Group, www.clearwayenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Clearway Energy Group news,  Community Solar news,  Solar news,  

Xcel Energy
Date: 2020-07-20
In St. Paul, Xcel Energy reports Minnesota's 2013-vintage community solar garden program now has over 680 MW of operating capacity in the first quarter of 2020 -- twice the capacity of its nearest competitor, Massachusetts.

A recent Xcel update reported as of the first quarter of 2020 Minnesota had 349 MW in the application process]while Massachusetts has 276 MW, New York 261 MW and Colorado 81MW.

Xcel reports Minnesota's community solar gardens currently have around 19,000 subscribers, but the commercial and industrial clients represent 86 pct of their capacity. Even so, Xcel Energy has reportedly called for the program to be cut back or eliminated. (Source: Xcel Energy, Energy News Network, Institute for Nonprofit News, Star Tribune, 19 July, 2020) Contact: Xcel Energy, Christopher Clark, Pres. for Minnesota and the Dakotas, www.xcelenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy,  Community Solar,  Solar Garden,  

Nautilus Solar Energy,
Date: 2020-07-10
Summit, New Jersey-based Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC is reporting the acquisition of a 10.4 MW community solar gardens portfolio of eight single axis tracker solar installation projects in Minnesota from ReneSola Power. The sites are expected to be operational by Q1 of 2021.

Nautilus will be responsible for the project management, long-term asset management and maintenance services. ReneSola will be responsible for securing the subscribers. The energy generated by the projects will directly benefit qualified commercial and residential off-takers situated within Xcel Energy's service territory by providing energy cost savings as well as advancing Minnesota's 10 pct solar energy goal by 2030. (Source: Nautilus Solar Energy Website, June, 2020) Contact: Nautilus Solar, Cathy W. McAuliffe, Marketing Coordinator, Nautilus Solar Energy LLC, Jim Rice, Co-CEO, 908-795-3041, cathy@nautilussolar.com , www.nautilussolar.com; ReneSola, www.renesolapower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nautilus Solar Energy,  Community Solar,  ReneSola,  

Standard Solar
Date: 2020-07-01
Rockville, Maryland-based Standard Solar, Inc., a solar energy company specializing in the development and financing of commercial solar electric systems nationwide, reports it has closed a tax equity commitment for up to $105 million from Fifth Third Bank, National Association and IBERIABANK to finance distributed generation (DG) solar projects in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

The portfolio of nine projects is a combination of community solar and traditional DG projects , two of which are now in operation while the others are projected to be completed throughout this year. (Source: Standard Solar, The Oklahoman, 30 June, 2020) Contact: Standard Solar, Peter Coleman, VP Structured Finance, 888.474.3843, www.standardsolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Standard Solar news,  Solar news,  

Solar Landscape
Date: 2020-06-19
The New Jersey BPU has awarded 20.358 MW, or more than 26% of first-round capacity, to solar contractor Solar Landscape as part of the New Jersey Community Solar Pilot Program. It’s a joint effort: All those solar panels will sit on 1 million square feet of roof space on buildings on four industrial sites in the Garden State. The sites are located in Perth Amboy (pictured above), Peterboro, and Woodridge, and are owned by Duke Realty, the largest domestic-only real estate investment trust in the US. Solar Landscape says that 51% of the electricity the project generates will be sold to low- and moderate-income households. It will deliver more than 250 million kWh of green electricity over 20 years. (Source: Solar Landscape,NJBPU, June, 2020) Contact: Solar Landscape, .Shaun Keegan, CEO, NJBPU,

More Low-Carbon Energy News NJBPU news,  Solar Landscape news,  

Hawaiian Electric Company
Date: 2020-06-17
In Honolulu, the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) has issued a request for information (RFI) from land and building owners on the islands of O'ahu, Hawai'i Maui, and Moloka'i with sites that could be available for future HECO renewable energy projects.

HECO is seeking parcels as small as one acre and rooftops with at least 3,200 square feet of usable space for future development of grid-scale wind, solar and community solar projects. The location should be reasonably flat and sunny and can include open space of any kind, including large parking lots that could be covered with a shading roof of solar panels.

The RFI may be viewed and responded to at www.hawaiianelectric.com/landRFI Responses are requested by July 12, 2020. (Source: HECO, PR, 15 June, 2020) Contact: HECO, Jim Alberts, Snr. VP Strategic Planning and Business Development, Shelee Kimura, VP Bus. Dev., (808) 543-7780, andrfi@hawaiianelectric.com, www.hawaiianelectric.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hawaiian Electric Company,  HECO,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar Hawaii Renewable Energy,  

Nelnet Renewable Energy
Date: 2020-06-15
Nelnet Renewable Energy reports it is looking to expand renewable energy use by helping solar developers find subscribers for their community solar projects -- homeowners, renters, and businesses -- and achieve fully subscribed projects.

Nelnet starts with a project-specific, multi-channel marketing plan, coupled with effective subscriber education content, flexible enrollment options, and ongoing customer engagement and collection services.

Nelnet's involvement in renewable energy began in 2018 with a commitment to fund over $142 million for the building of solar energy projects via tax equity financing. (Source: Nelnet Renewable Energy, PR, Solar Builder, 12 June, 2020) Contact: Nelnet Renewable Energy, Jeff Noordhoek, CEO, www.nelnetinc.com/nds/industries/renewable-energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Community Solar,  Solar,  

Pivot Energy
Date: 2020-05-19
Denver-based commercial and community solar provider Pivot Energy is reporting completion of a 431 kW solar carport installation for the Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) in Sedalia, Colorado.

Pivot Energy contracted supplied the design, procurement, and construction management services for the solar carport installation. (Source: Pivot Energy, Solar Builder, 13 May, 2020) Contact: Intermountain Rural Electric Association, 800-332-9540, www.irea.coop; Pivot Energy, Rick Hunter, CEO, 888-734-3033, www.pivotenergy.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pivot Energy,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

California Energy Commission
Date: 2020-05-11
In Sacramento, the California Energy Commission (CEC) reports it has approved off-site "community solar" solar projects as an option to its recently enacted rooftop solar requirement for most new homes and low-rise apartments in California to install rooftop solar. With the approval, participating builders are now required to offer home buyers a choice between rooftop or community solar delivered via existing transmission lines.

California's solar mandate, which went into effect on Jan. 1, this year, required most new single-family homes or low-rise apartments to install rooftop solar panels owned by the homeowner or leased from a solar company, that would sell the generated electricity back to the homeowner at a discounted rate. (Source: California Energy Commission, Builder Mag., May,2020) Contact: California Energy Commission, www.energy.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News California Energy Commision,  California Rooftop Solar,  Community Solar,  

Hawaiian Electric
Date: 2020-04-24
In the Aloha State, Honolulu-based Hawaiian Electric (HECO) reports it is expanding its Community-Based Renewable Energy (CBRE)-- Community Solar program, based on recent approvals by the Hawai'i PUC.

Unlike the first phase of the CBRE program which was limited to 8MW, this phase will be open to 235 MW of renewable generation across Hawaiian Electric's five-island service territory. The community solar second phase places special emphasis on opportunities for low-and-middle income residential customers to participate. In addition to private companies, Hawaiian Electric will be able to develop projects and recruit subscribers.

Although CBRE is open to any established renewable energy technology, community solar allows single-family homes, renters and apartment residents, and small commercial customers to participate. (Source: Hawaiian Electric, PR, 23 April, 2020) Contact: HECO, Jim Alberts, Snr. VP, Shelee Kimura, VP Bus. Dev., (808) 543-7780, andrfi@hawaiianelectric.com, www.hawaiianelectric.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Hawaiian Electric,  Community Solar,  Solar,  

Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Date: 2020-04-17
In the Bay State, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has doubled the capacity of a state's SMART incentive program designed to spur small- and medium-scale solar projects. Under new regulations which are now in force, the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program, known as SMART, will increase from 1.6 gigawatts to 3.2 gigawatts, a change long sought by the solar industry.

Massachusetts administers the SMART program in 200-megawatt "blocks," with incentives that step down as they're filled. In addition to doubling the program and setting aside capacity for low-income communities, the changes include a 20 pct carve-out in each block for projects between 25 kilowatts and 500 kilowatts.

Community solar projects and shared solar projects serving low-income customers will have to subscribe at least 90 percent of bill credits before receiving incentives to help guarantee a project's completion. (Source: Mass. DOER, GTM, 15 April, 2020) Contact: Mass DOER, www.mass.gov/doer; Mass DOER SMART program, www.mass.gov/solar-massachusetts-renewable-target-smart

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mass SMART,  Mass DOER,  Solar,  Solar Incentiv,  

Sustainable Westchester, Logical Buildings
Date: 2020-04-08
In the Empire State, Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit consortium of Westchester municipalities, reports it has partnered with Livingston, New Jersey-based smart building software and solutions specialist Logical Buildings to launch the first-of-its-kind GridRewards campaign.

Logical Buildings SmartKit AI is a NYSERDA qualified Real Time Energy Management system and service platform that reduces energy and operating costs by 10 to 20 pct and optimizes performance of building systems, according to the company website.

GridRewards provides a cash-back incentive for energy saving actions such as dimming lights, avoiding electric hot water heating, energy efficient lighting, shifting dish washing and laundry activities to low electric power demand periods, and others.

GridRewards complements Sustainable Westchester's portfolio of energy solutions which includes the Westchester Power Program, the New York State model for Community Choice Aggregation, Community Solar for residents and municipalities and HeatSmart, efficient clean heating & cooling solutions for commercial and residential properties. (Source: Sustainable Westchester, April, 2020) Contact: Sustainable Westchester, Maria Genovesi, Director of Marketing, Communication & Outreach, (914) 242-4725 x104, maria@SustainableWestchester.org, www.sustainablewestchester.org; Green Button Initiative, www.greenbuttondata.org; Logical Buildings, Jeff Hendler, CEO, 908 517 3730 , www.logicalbuildings.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sustainable WestchesterEnergy Efficiency,  

Pivot Energy
Date: 2020-04-06
In Colorado, the Town of Breckenridge is reporting a 20-year agreement to subscribe to 3.6 MW of community solar capacity with Colorado's largest community solar developer, Pivot Energy.

The 3.6 MW provides the remaining amount of clean energy Breckenridge needs to achieve its goal of 100 pct renewable electricity for municipal facilities by 2025. The agreement is expected to save the ski resort community of 5,000 +- residents more than $700,000 in energy costs over the 20-year agreement without upfront capital costs. (Source: Town of Breckenridge, Pivot Energy, April, 2020) Contact: Town of Breckenridge, 970-453-2251, www.townofbreckenridge.com; Pivot Energy, Rick Hunter, CEO, 888-734-3033, www.pivotenergy.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Pivot Energy,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

UGE International
Date: 2020-02-26
New York City-headquartered commercial and community solar energy solutions specialist UGE International Ltd. is reporting five new contracts for projects in New York, the Philippines, and Ontario, Canada.

In New York, UGE and Wildflower signed an agreement for a 100 kW system on the roof of a storage facility in Holbrook, NY.

In the Philippines, the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT-U) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UGE Philippines for a 97 kW solar energy system for their high school building in Cebu City. UGE Philippines also signed a contract with Lite Properties Inc. for a 200 kW project on Bohol Island.

In Ontario, UGE Consulting Services has inked an agreement to complete the engineering scope of work for a rooftop system that will increase the existing system's capacity from 218kW to 350kW. UGE Consulting Services also signed an agreement for the engineering of a commercial solar project for a large commercial-scale developer in the southwest USA. All of the above projects are expected to be completed in 2020. (Source: UGE, PR, 20 Feb., 2020) Contact: UGE, 917-721-5685, investors@ugei.com, www.ugei.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News UGE International,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

SPI Energy
Date: 2020-02-12
In Santa Clara, California, Hong Kong-headquartered SPI Energy Co Ltd reports it has submitted its previously closed 18 MW portfolio of solar projects to the Oregon PUC Oregon Community Solar Programme. The program will be offered to non-profit organisations and homeowners in the territory of local utility Portland General Electric.

The SPI portfolio includes closed projects in Yamhill, Polk, Marion and Clakamas counties . SPI Energy also announced the agreed acquisition of up to eight projects with a combined capacity of 21 MW in Oregon in July. All projects have 20-year PPAs with Portland General Electric.

SPI Energy Co., Ltd. provides photovoltaic solutions for business, residential, government, and utility customers and investors. It offers engineering, procurement, and construction services to independent power developers and producers, and commercial and industrial companies. The company also develops, owns, and operates solar projects that sell electricity to power companies and other electricity off-takers. As of April 30, 2019, it owned and operated 15.706 MW of solar projects. The company operates in Greece, the United States, Italy, Japan, the U.K., Australia, and Germany. (Source: SPI Energy Ltd, Renewables, Feb., 2020) Contact: SPI Energy Ltd., www.spigroups.com; Oregon Community Solar Programme, www.oseia.org › communitysolar

More Low-Carbon Energy News SPI Energy,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

Sunvestment Energy,RER Energy
Date: 2020-02-07
In the Empire State, the village of Saranac Lake reports it expects to host the area's first community solar project to be constructed by Sunvestment Energy Group and RER Energy of Rochester and Reading, Pennsylvania.

The project, which is expected to generate sufficient solar power for roughly 250 homes. will be constructed by RER Energy and managed by Sunvestment. (Source: Saranac Lake, Adirondack Daily Entersprise, 4 Feb., 2020) Contact: Sunvestment Energy, www.sunvestmentgroup.com; RER Energy, Mike Barnes, COO, mbarnes@rerenergygroup.com, 717-554-5801, www.rerenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Sunvestment Energy,  RER Energy,  Community Solar,  

New Jersey
Date: 2020-01-27
Garden State Governor Phil Murphy (D) has unveiled the state's Energy Master Plan, which outlines key strategies to reach the Administration's goal of 100 pct clean energy by 2050. The Energy Master Plan outlines the following energy efficiency related strategies and includes an implementation plan that lays out next steps and timelines:

Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Transportation Sector, including encouraging electric vehicle adoption, electrifying transportation systems, and leveraging technology to reduce emissions and miles traveled.

Accelerating Deployment of Renewable Energy and Distributed Energy Resources by developing offshore wind, community solar, a successor solar incentive program, solar thermal, and energy storage. It also involves adopting new market structures to embrace clean energy development and contain costs, opening electric distribution companies' circuits for distributed energy resources (DER), and developing low-cost loans or financing for DER.

Maximizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation, and Reducing Peak Demand including enacting 0.75 percent and 2 percent utility energy efficiency standards for natural gas and electricity, respectively, improving energy efficiency programs in New Jersey, adopting new clean energy and energy efficiency financing mechanisms, and strengthening building and energy codes and appliance standards.

Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Building Sector through decarbonization and electrification of new and existing buildings, including the expansion of statewide net zero carbon homes incentive programs, the development of EV-ready and Demand Response-ready building codes, and the establishment of a long-term building de-carbonization roadmap.

De-carbonizing and Modernizing New Jersey's Energy System through planning and establishment of Integrated Distribution Plans, investing in grid technology to enable increased communication, sophisticated rate design, and reducing our reliance on natural gas.

Supporting Community Energy Planning and Action in Under served Communities through incentivizing local, clean power generation, prioritizing clean transportation options in these communities, and supporting municipalities in establishing community energy plans.

Expand the Clean Energy Innovation Economy by expanding upon New Jersey's existing 52,000 clean energy jobs and investing in developing clean energy knowledge, services, and products that can be exported to other regions around the country and around the world, thereby driving investments and growing jobs. New Jersey will attract supply chain businesses to create dynamic new clean energy industry clusters and bring cutting-edge clean energy research and development the state. (Source: InsideNJ, PR, 27 Jan., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Clearway Energy Group
Date: 2020-01-20
San Francisco-headquartered Clearway Energy Group LLC, a US renewable energy generation and distribution company, said on Thursday it has completed financing on its Community Solar Fund V -- a portfolio of 21 projects totaling 76 MW (DC) in Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York States. Part of the portfolio is expected to come online this year.

Clearway Energy Group LLC focuses on renewable energy generation and distribution, as well as owns renewable energy projects. The company has over 320 MW of community solar projects across the country, in addition to its utility-scale solar and wind operations. (Source: Clearway Energy Group, Renewables, 17 Jan., 2020) Contact: Clearway Energy Group, 415-627-1600, www.clearwayenergygroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Community Solar,  Clearway Energy Group,  Solar,  

Clean Energy Co, Black Hills Energy
Date: 2020-01-06
Cheyenne, Wyoming-headquartered utility Black Hills Energy and its approved third-party partner, Louisville, Colorado-based Clean Energy Co are reporting completion of a 2-MW community solar garden in Canon City, Colorado -- the fifth community solar garden in Black Hills' service territory.

Canon City holds roughly 40 pct of the solar garden's subscription capacity and the county has about 15 pct with remaining subscribers in Fremont, Custer and Pueblo counties. (Source: Black Hills, Carson City Daily Record, Jan., 2019) Contact: Clean Energy Co., 844-232-7253, info@cleanenergyco.com, www.cleanenergyco.com; Black Hills Energy, 888-890-5554, www.blackhillsenergy.com

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New York State,Community Solar
Date: 2019-12-13
In Albany, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) reports the issuance of an order allowing consolidated billing for community solar projects. The ruling is expected spur the cost-effective completion of over 1 GW of community solar projects currently in development, which in turn will help the state reach its goal of 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025, as required by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CPCLA).

Consolidated billing has another benefit as well. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs, which allow local communities to leverage their combined demand to purchase renewable forms of power and other energy services, have not included community solar projects in their portfolios because of the high customer acquisition costs and because CCA programs typically use an "opt-out" model, in which customers are enrolled in the CCA unless they specifically decline to participate. (Source: New York Public Service Commission, NRDC, 12 Dec., 2019) Contact: New York Public Service Commission, www.dps.ny.gov

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APS Solar Communities
Date: 2019-12-11
In Arizona, the Sedona City Hall reports it will host a 150 kilowatt solar system under the Arizona Public Service's (APS) Solar Communities program that is expected to save the city roughly $90,000 and produce clean energy over the next 20 years.

APS will install, operate, and maintain the city's solar photovoltaic system free of charge, and the city will receive a monthly bill credit from APS. The program, which is designed to enable non-residential customers as well as limited- and moderate-income customers take advantage of clean solar energy. The project is scheduled for completion in late January. (Source: City of Sadona, APS Solar Communities, Signals AZ, Dec., 2019) Contact: City of Sedona, www.sedonaaz.gov; APS, Solar Communities; www.aps.com/solarcommunities, www.aps.com/en/About/Sustainability-and-Innovation/Technology-and-Innovation/Solar-Communities

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American Public Power Association
Date: 2019-11-15
Snohomish County PUD in Everett, Washington, reports it has been awarded the Smart Energy Provider (SEP) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for demonstrating commitment and proficiency in energy efficiency, distributed generation, and environmental initiatives that support a goal of providing low-cost quality, safe and reliable electric service.

The two-year SEP designation is awarded to public power utilities that demonstrate leadership in four key disciplines: smart energy program structure; energy efficiency and distributed energy programs; environmental and sustainability initiatives; and customer experience. Utilities are rated on a scale of 100 points. The PUD earned 84 points, scoring high on offering distributed generation programs like community solar, working to support environmental sustainability programs like Carbon Solutions and providing customers with robust conservation programs. (Source: American Public Power Association, Edmonds News, 13 Nov., 2019) Contact: American Public Power Association, www.publicpower.org; Snohomish County PUD , www.snopud.com

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Roanoke Electric Cooperative,
Date: 2019-10-18
The N.C. Weatherization Assistance Program (NSWAP) reports the issuance of a total $128,000 in grant funding to Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Energy and Fayetteville Public Works Commission for a pilot community solar program covering a total of 40 low-income homes. NCWAP is also providing weatherization and energy efficiency services to these single-family households.

Fayetteville Public Works Commission will use the funding to support the participation of 10 eligible households in their PWC Community Solar Weatherization Pilot project.

Blue Ridge Energy's Community Solar Savings Pilot will serve 10 households, with each receiving a bill credit for the energy generated by solar panels plus a rate reduction from the standard residential energy charge.

Roanoke Electric Cooperative will serve 20 homes participating in the Upgrade to Save Community Solar Program. The community solar participation will allow the households to share in the community solar garden and receive future billing credits estimated at approximately $365 per year per eligible household for a period of no less than 15 years. (Source: NCWAP, rrspin.com, 15 Oct., 2019) Contact: N.C. Weatherization Assistance Program , www.nc.gov/weatherization-assistance-program

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Hawaiian Electric Company
Date: 2019-09-18
Honolulu-headquartered Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) reports it has approved the 864-panel, 270 MW Mililani Tech Solar I community solar project to be constructed in the Mililani Tech Park area.

The project -- the Aloha State's first community solar project -- is being developed by Honolulu-based Tritium3 Renewable Ventures and is fully subscribed with participants who will receive bill credits once the project is sending energy to the grid.

Six other Hawaiian community solar projects are still under review in the first phase of community solar which allows for a total of 8 MW capacity across the Hawaiian Electric service territory. More projects like Mililani Tech Solar I are expected to be approved in 2020. (Source: Hawaiian Electric, PR, 16 Sept., 2019) Contact: Tritium3 Renewable Ventures, Ryan McCauley, CEO, (808) 377-4408, info@tritium3.com, www.tritium3.com; Mauii Electric, www.mauielectric.com/communitysolar; HECO, Shelee Kimura, VP Bus. Dev., (808) 543-7780, andrfi@hawaiianelectric.com, www.hawaiianelectric.com

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Mass. DOER
Date: 2019-09-18
In the Bay State, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) reports it has released plans to reform and expand the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program which incentivizes cost effective solar and promises to double the amount of solar in the commonwealth.

To meet increasing customer demand for solar energy, DOER proposes adding 800 MW to the SMART incentive program, bringing the total to 2.4 gigawatts. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) supports this expansion but, in comments to regulators, is calling for even more capacity to be added to the program. To that end, DOER has proposed the dollowing regulatory clarifications and fixes:

DOER proposes clarifying SMART metering configurations when projects are paired with storage. The clarification will impact residential and larger scale projects. These issues have drawn the ire of utilities, regulators and solar firms for the past year. DOER guidance on metering is critical.

DOER proposes an increase to the stepped-up incentive for municipal projects. A higher incentive would make it easier for cities, towns and school districts to go solar. In addition, DOER proposes more time for municipal projects to meet certain milestones for qualification, recognizing that public projects almost always have to go through a bidding process. SEIA agrees with the intent of this proposal.

Fixing compensation for solar projects serving on-site energy needs. Based on the current regulatory framework, some projects without a net metering allocation get reduced values. DOER proposes expanding the use of certain credits and changing the way energy compensation is calculated.

According to SEIA, the most troubling aspects of DOER's plans involve the treatment of community solar projects, including a proposed five-fold increase in penalties for larger scale solar projects on certain lands. DOER calls for the new penalties to apply to a broader swath of community solar projects and for changes to apply to projects already in development. These proposals would have a negative impact on the community solar market. Increased penalties will halt solar development, with penalties ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to many millions, according to SEIA. (Source: Mass. DOER, Solar Energy Industries Assoc., 16 Sept., 2019)Contact: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, (617) 626-7300, doer.energy@mass.gov, www.mass.gov/doer; SEIA, Abigail Ross-Hopper, CEO, (202) 682-0556, info@seia.org, www.seia.org

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Common Energy
Date: 2019-09-13
In the Empire State, the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority (SSHA) reports it is partnering with community solar energy specialist Common Energy to increase use of clean energy and use the saving to fund more then $100,000 in energy efficiency investments at SSHA facilities.

This partnership is supported by NYSERDA through its NY-Sun Affordable Solar Predevelopment and Technical Assistance program, which provides funding to address resource gaps and solve market barriers preventing the development of solar installations serving low-to-moderate income (LMI) households.

Common Energy works with businesses and households to connect their existing utility account to local, clean energy projects. (Source: Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, PR, NewsWire, 12 Sept., 2019) Contact: Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, Malcolm Bliss, www.saratogaspringspha.org; Common Energy, www.commonenergy.com

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Pivot Energy,Standard Solar
Date: 2019-08-30
Denver-based solar specialist Pivot Energy and Rockville, Maryland-headquartered Standard Solar report they've expanded their 2018 partnership and will co-develop five additional ground-mounted community solar sites totaling 8.9 MW across Colorado.

The first two projects in the expanded portfolio are expected to break ground this summer for commissioning in summer 2020. by summer 2020.

Standard Solar will finance, own and maintain the community solar arrays that Pivot Energy will develop and construct. Once the arrays are live, customer enrollment and subscriptions will be managed through SunCentral, Pivot Energy's proprietary community solar customer management interface. (Source: Standard Solar, PR, Solar Builder, 28 Aug., 2019)Contact: Pivot Energy, (888) 734-3033, info@pivotenergy.net, www.pivotenergy.net; Standard Solar, Scott Wiater, CEO, (301) 944-1200, www.standardsolar.com

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Northern Cheyenne Reservation
Date: 2019-08-05
In Southeastern Montana, the the Northern Cheyenne Tribe is reporting receipt of $2 million in matching funding from the US DOE for construction of a 26-acre, 2.6 MW solar farm to be constructed near Busby.

The Northern Cheyenne initially launched the White River Community Solar project in 2016. (Source: Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Billings Gazette, 31 July, 2019)Contact: Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Kyle Atwood, Project Director, (406) 477-6284, www.cheyennenation.com

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ENGIE
Date: 2019-07-31
ENGIE Storage reports it will supply and operate a "turnkey" 19 MW/38 MWh portfolio of six energy storage sites that will contribute to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program and participate in ISO-New England wholesale markets.

The combined solar and storage portfolio, developed and operated by NYC-based private equity firm Syncarpha Capital, LLC, is the first utility-scale solar plus storage offering to benefit from ENGIE's new integrated development, supply and services offering for wholesale market participation.

ENGIE Storage will provide a turn-key GridSynergy® hardware and software solution and operate the storage system for 20 years and will pay fees in exchange for the rights to operate the solar and energy storage system in the ISO-NE wholesale capacity, reserves, and frequency regulation markets.

ENGIE Storage's GridSynergy software platform will seamlessly ensure Investment Tax Credit and SMART program compliance while bidding and operating the energy storage systems in ISO-NE wholesale markets. Under its long-term service and operation contracts for the sites, ENGIE Storage is, in essence, guaranteeing SMART program revenues. The arrangement virtually eliminates storage project operational risk at the six battery storage sites.

Syncarpha designs and builds on-site solar systems for municipalities, utilities, and businesses -- as well as developing community shared solar solutions for consumers and commercial customers. The company currently owns and/or operates solar assets in nine different states. (Source: ENGIE, 26 July, 2019) Contact: Syncarpha Capital, LLC, Cliff Chapman, CEO, www.syncarpha.com, www.syncarpha.solar: Engie Storage, Christopher Tilley, CEO, www.engie.com, www.engie-na.com

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Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Date: 2019-07-29
In North Dakota, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reports its 300 KW CannonBall Community Solar Farm is now set to go online in August when it will add 300 KW into the grid.

The community solar farm is expected to save the community as much as $14,400 per year in energy costs, which will be reinvested in the community. GivePower, one of the nonprofits that is partnering on the project, invested $370,000 in the $470,000 project. (Source: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Gizmodo, 28 July, 2019) Contact: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, www.standingrock.org

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East Bay Community Energy
Date: 2019-07-03
In the Golden State, East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), a community choice energy provider, reports approval of two power purchase agreements (PPAs) totaling 157.5 MW from new wind and solar facilities, along with 30 MW of battery energy storage, to be built in Alameda and Fresno counties in California. The approved contracts include:

the Summit Wind Project -- a 20-year agreement to purchase 57.5 MW of wind from the Altamont Winds LLC project, near Livermore in Alameda County, from San Diego-based Salka LLC in partnership with a global private equity firm. The project will see the repowering a 569, 100 kW turbines with 23 modern turbines at a former Altamont Pass wind farm and is expected to be completed in late 2020.

Sonrisa Solar Park -- a 20-year agreement to purchase 100 MW of solar and 30 MW of energy storage from the Sonrisa Solar Park, located in Fresno County and owned/operated by EDP Renewables North America. Construction on the Sonrisa solar project will begin as early as December 2021. It is expected to be operational in 2022.

As one of 19 community choice aggregation programs operating in California, EBCE will provide clean energy at competitive rates and will reinvest earnings back into the community. (Source: East Bay Community Energy, NA Windpower, 24 June, 2019) Contact: East Bay Community Energy, 833-699-3223, www.ebce.org

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Monadnock Sustainability Network, ReVision Energy
Date: 2019-06-24
In New Hampshire, the Monadnock Sustainability Network and South Portland, Maine-based ReVision Energy report plans are afoot for a community-supported 95-KW solar array on Sun Moon Farm in Rindge, in the Moanadnock Region.

The community solar aray's expected yearly output is divvied up into shares of 5,000 kWh per year selling for $6,200 per share.

The array will initially be owned by investors, and farmers will buy power at a discounted rate. Then, after six years, the farmers buy out the investors and own the solar array and then get electricity from the solar array for free.

ReVision Energy will install the array later this year. (Source: Keene Sentinel, 21 June, 2019) Contact: ReVision Energy, Dan Weeks, Dir. Market Development, (207) 221-6342, Fax - (207) 358-7944, www.revisionenergy.com; Monadnock Sustainability Network, www.greenmonadnock.org

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Nautilus Solar Energy
Date: 2019-06-19
Summit, NJ-based solar energy developer Nautilus Solar Energy LLC has announced the ribbon cutting for its first of three community solar projects serving Orange and Rockland's utility service territory. Located in the hamlet of Westtown in Orange County, New York, the 2.83 MW community solar garden will provide energy cost savings to 300 homes while advancing New York's nation-leading renewable energy goals.

Utilizing its full-service platform, Nautilus will be responsible for the project management, long-term asset management and maintenance services for the projects. The energy generated by the Westtown solar project will directly benefit qualified residential community solar subscribers who are situated within the Orange and Rockland utility service territory. A limited number of residential subscriptions to the system are currently available through a partnership with Onesta Solar at www.chooseonestasolar.com. The project reached commercial operation May 8, 2019. Nautilus's other solar projects in the towns of Greenville and Chester are scheduled to open by 3Q 2019. This project received over $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through NY-Sun. (Source: Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, PR, June, 2019) Contact: Nautilus Solar, Jim Rice, CEO, www.nautilussolar.com

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Hannon Armstrong,Summit Ridge
Date: 2019-06-07
Hannon Armstrong, a leading investor in climate change solutions, and community solar specialist Summit Ridge Energy (SRE) are reporting they will jointly invest in community solar projects across several US markets including Maryland, where the initial solar power plants will come online in Prince George's and Baltimore Counties this summer.

As part of the agreement, Hannon Armstrong will provide long-term financing to community solar projects developed and acquired by Summit Ridge Energy across multiple states. Summit Ridge is targeting construction of over 250 MW of community solar power over the next few years.

Hannon Armstrong investments are focused on climate change solutions, energy efficiency, renewable energy and other sustainable infrastructure markets. (Source: Summit Ridge Energy , CleanTechnica, 6 June, 2019) Contact: Hannon Armstrong , Jeffrey Eckel, Pres., CEO, Gil Jenkins , (443) 321-5753, media@hannonarmstrong.com, www.hannonarmstrong.com; Summit Ridge, Steve Raeder, CEO, www.srenergy.com

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SEIA
Date: 2019-05-31
The Washington, DC-based Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) reports it is adding divisions to focus more aggressively on solar-plus-storage and solar manufacturing. The organization is also launching committees on energy storage and community solar and establishing a working group to reduce the soft costs of going solar.

The new divisions are part of the solar industry group's broader governance plan to enter the 2020s as America's leading source of new electric power generation. (Source: SEIA, May, 2019) Contact: SEIA, Abigail Ross-Hopper, CEO, (202) 682-0556, info@seia.org, www.seia.org

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Madison Wisconsin
Date: 2019-05-29
In the Badger State, the city of Madison is touting the launch of its Backyard Solar grants program to help low-income residents install solar panels.

Grants will be available to community organizations and housing developers through a competitive process and will fund up to 20-pct of a project's total cost. The city has reserved $10,000 for grants in 2019, but there is a resolution circulating among council members to add another $30,000.

The Backyard Solar program is an addition to the MadiSUN residential program, which helps homeowners put solar panels on their rooftops. The City also offers a program that includes $30,000 in rebates for businesses that install solar.

In 2017, Madison became the first city in Wisconsin to set a goal of 100 percent renewable energy and net-zero carbon emissions for both city operations and residents. (Source: City of Madison, 28 May, 2019) Contact: MadiSUN Program, https://madisunsolar.com; Renew Wisconsin, Heather Allen, program director for Renew Wisconsin, which administers the MadiSUN programs for the city, Tyler Huebner, Executive Director, (608) 255-4044, www.renewwisconsin.org

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NYSERDA
Date: 2019-04-29
In the Empire State, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) reports its Solar for Al program is seeking community solar subscribers in Clinton County. The Solar for All program offers eligible homeowners and renters the opportunity to access and subscribe to a community solar project in their area without any upfront costs or participation fees.

Under the program, energy is delivered through the participant's regular electric provider, while the power produced from the community solar array is fed directly back to the electric grid. As a result, the grid is supplied with clean renewable energy while subscribers get credit on their electric bills, according to a NYSERDA release.

Solar for All is administered by NYSERDA under NY-Sun, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $1 billion initiative to advance the scale up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable self sufficient solar industry. Since 2011, solar in New York state has increased more than 1,500 pct and leveraged nearly $3.5 billion in private investments, the release added. (Source: NYSERDA, Press Republican, 27 April, 2019) Contact: NYSERDA Solar for All, www.nyserda.ny.gov/solarforall; Alicia Barton, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov

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Climate Change
Date: 2019-04-24
In the Garden State, the city of Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has signed an executive order adopting Hoboken's Climate Action Plan committing the city to "achieving carbon neutrality by 2050."

The plan, establishes goals for greenhouse gas emission reduction for government operations and as a city overall. Progress will be evaluated through benchmarks every five years. The plan's features include:

Purchasing 100 pct renewable electricity for municipal facilities (went into effect April, 2019);

Installing energy efficient upgrades in 11 municipal buildings, resulting in cost savings of over $100,000 per year;

Introducing an affordable renewable energy purchasing program for homeowners to utilize wind and/or solar electricity;

Implementing electric vehicle charging stations across the City (Hoboken recently was awarded funding through the State for up to 14 EV charging stations);

Creating Hoboken's own community solar program, allowing low-moderate income residents to utilize solar energy from other parts of the State even if they can not install solar panels on their homes;

Replacing street and traffic lights with LED energy efficient lighting;

The city of 56,000 +- residents has also reaffirmed its commitment to exceeding the goals" of the Paris Climate Accord.

"The city's Climate Action Plan, which its two-pronged emphasis on adaptation and mitigation, puts Hoboken at the forefront of what cities can do to combat climate change," Doyle said. "Our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with an aggressive window through becoming a net zero city and achieving carbon neutrality is the progressive path forward toward achieving that goal." (Source: Hoboken Patch, 23 April, 2019) Contact: City of Hoboken, (201) 420-2000, www.hobokennj.gov

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