Tag Archive for: cleanenergy

Lilypad was one of four projects funded by EGLE and the OFME to address climate, energy, and mobility challenges in the Great Lakes region through innovative maritime solutions.

A Lilypad for humans: solar powered boat features clean energy, sustainable design

The West Michigan beach town of Saugatuck is known for its historic riverfront nestled among critical dune habitat at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.  Saugatuck and its neighbor Douglas straddle the river and for more than a century people have found creative ways to navigate the waterway.

One of the most popular is a hand-cranked chain ferry. Believed to be the last of its kind in the country, the ferry “Diane” has operated on and off since 1857 and is arguably the most ecofriendly way to move a couple dozen beachgoers across the river to Saugatuck’s famed Oval Beach on the shores of Lake Michigan.

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Source: Michigan Gov

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The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes a host of measures to support the production of US renewable energy technologies and could foster a new era for made-in-America solar.

IRA could foster a new era of made-in-USA solar

In February 2021, US President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order calling for the establishment of resilient American supply chains intended to, in part, advance the fight against climate change. To achieve the current goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035, the US Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that solar energy would need to grow from 4% of electricity supply today to 40%.

This kind of growth will increase the demand for everything along the solar supply chain, from polysilicon through to modules. With both goals in parallel, the desire to foster a domestic supply chain and the necessity to ramp up renewables, the question begs: to what extent can the domestic US solar supply chain be expanded to meet clean energy goals?

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Source: PV Magazine

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More than 8,400 public and private schools serving 6 million students are now using solar power generating significant cost savings.

Nearly 1 in 10 US schools now using solar power

Thousands of schools across the U.S. are beginning to make the switch to solar power, generating significant cost savings and helping them meet their hefty energy needs, a new report has found.

More than 8,400 public and private schools serving 6 million students — or about 1 in 10 institutions nationwide — are now using solar power, according to the report from the nonprofit Generation180.

Since 2015, the number of solar panels installed at the country’s K-12 schools has tripled, while the number of schools that use solar has doubled, the report found.

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Source: The Hill

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The Solar Access Act bill implements instant, online solar permitting in cities and counties in California.

California cities and counties now required to switch to instant, online residential solar permitting by 2024

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)’s legislation, SB 379, the Solar Access Act, passed both houses of California’s legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill implements instant, online solar permitting in cities and counties. This legislation will greatly decrease approval times for residential solar and solar + storage systems, cut permitting costs for local governments and homeowners and help California meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. SB 379 is co-sponsored by SPUR and Environment California. Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) is a coauthor of the bill.

Climate change is a dire threat, and California must accelerate its transition to clean energy in order to meet its target to become carbon neutral by 2045. Widespread installation of residential solar systems has helped push California towards these goals. However, while the cost of solar technology has decreased in recent years, the high costs associated with installation — including local permitting and inspection requirements — have remained prohibitive for many. Delays due to long permit and inspection wait times also hurt solar implementation across the state. Automated permitting solves both of these issues; the Solar Access Act will allow California to implement a timely and comprehensive solution.

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Source: Solar Power World

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills aimed at moving away from reliance on fossil fuel-based energy

California governor signs sweeping climate legislation

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of bills Friday to expand California’s reliance on clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, moves he said further establish the state as a global climate leader.

The new laws include proposals aimed at reducing exposure to gas and oil pollution in communities of color, expanding clean energy jobs and accelerating the state’s timeline for getting most of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Newsom signed them following a record-breaking heat wave that forced California to rely more heavily on natural gas for its electricity production.

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Source: ABC News

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The IRA is going to transform America’s energy economy, and the forecasts show a wave of clean energy and manufacturing investments

US Solar installs to get 40% boost on climate law, report says

President Joe Biden’s sweeping climate legislation is expected to boost US solar installation, but lingering bottlenecks in the global supply chain and trade issues mean most gains won’t be realized until 2024.

Clean-energy developers are forecast to install more than 215 gigawatts of solar panels during the next five years, according to a report published Thursday from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie. That’s 40% more than the Washington-based trade group expected without the Inflation Reduction Act, the climate-friendly bill signed into law last month.

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Source: Bloomberg

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Residential panel installations will jump by 5.6 GW in 2022. Households to add three times more solar than commercial users.

US homes add rooftop solar at a record clip to cut power bills

US households will install a record amount of solar this year to help slash electricity bills, according to a BloombergNEF analysis.

Residential solar installations will increase by about 5.6 gigawatts in 2022, led by Florida, Texas, the Midwest and California, according to a BNEF report Monday.

Higher electricity prices and tax credit extensions in the Inflation Reduction Act are fueling the rebound in residential solar adoption. Consumers are taking ownership of their own power supplies in pursuit of cleaner energy and to reduce their reliance on grids that are becoming more vulnerable to blackouts caused by extreme weather, wildfires and drought.

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Source: Bloomberg

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The California State Legislature passed AB 2316 to create community renewable energy programs for Californians with low income.

California bill requiring utilities to create community solar programs reaches governor’s desk

The California State Legislature passed AB 2316 authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) to create community renewable energy programs, such as community solar + storage, to overcome clean energy access barriers impacting nearly half of Californians who rent or have low incomes while strengthening the state’s power grid.

This priority bill for a diverse coalition of supporters — including advocates for environmental justice, clean energy, ratepayers, home builders and commercial property — now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom who will have until September 30 to act on the measure.

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Source: Solar Power World

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Solar panels and parking lots can be a good combination as it provides cheaper, cleaner solar energy, and a more pleasant parking experience.

Solar parking lots are a win-win renewable energy solution. Why aren’t they everywhere?

If you park in one of several commuter lots on Michigan State University’s campus, you’ll likely score a premium parking spot. That’s because each parking lot is sheltered from the sun, snow and rain by solar panels. They’re mounted above the lot on steel structures tall enough for tailgaters in RVs to park beneath. Besides providing a more pleasant parking experience, the university gets cheaper, cleaner solar energy from the solar panels.

It’s a great thing to not have to scrape your car free of snow in 20-degree weather. I know, because I was a commuting student at Michigan State for two years and gladly took advantage of the covered parking.

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Source: CNET

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The California State Legislature approved a two-year extension of a property tax exclusion for solar projects

Extended property tax exclusion will keep clean energy investments in California

Today, the California State Legislature approved a two-year extension of a property tax exclusion for solar projects, providing stability to solar companies facing significant uncertainty around project development as they work to help California meet its climate targets.

Following is statement from Rick Umoff, senior director and counsel, California, at the Solar Energy Industries Association:

“The Legislature’s action to extend the solar property tax exclusion is a critical step to ensure California remains at the forefront of America’s clean energy transition. Since the state instituted the exclusion, California’s solar market has grown to be the largest in the nation, employing over 70,000 people and driving more than $70 billion into local economies statewide.

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Source: SEIA

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