Co-author Morgan M. Gerard
Topics: Distributed Energy, Solar Energy, ITC, Net Metering, Net Energy Metering, Investment Tax Credit, NEM, DG, Distributed Generaton, rooftop Solar, Rooftop PV, NPUC, Solar Rooftop, Solar Roof, Nevada, NV Energy, Net Metering Battle, Nevada Public Utilities Commission
The New York City Council is considering a breakthrough bill to mandate installation of solar power systems on all municipal buildings. The Big Apple in many ways has already taken the initiative and adopted policies to promote cleaner air and combat the local greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. To this end, the de Blasio administration has articulated the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Merrill L. Kramer recently testified at a hearing on the bill where he applauded the Council’s initiative, but also discussed the private market challenges facing roof-top solar that may hinder the Mayor in achieving his carbon reduction goals. Particularly, Mr. Kramer identified delays and bottlenecks at the Department of Buildings (DOB) and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for obtaining permit approvals, and the lack of a "one-stop shop" decision-making authority to identify problems and implement processes for streamlining permitting. Mr. Kramer highlighted the manual review process for solar permit applications as the single largest obstacle to deploying roof-top generation, causing delays for projects already on a tight timeline. The State of New York offers city residents a property tax abatement for the value of their panels, which expires at the end of the year.
Topics: Distributed Energy, Solar Energy, New York City, DG, DER, Distributed Generaton, New York City Solar, New York Solar, rooftop Solar, Rooftop PV, new york city rooftop solar
New York Seeks Value for Distributed Energy and Reevaluates Net Metering
Co-author Morgan M. Gerard
On December 23rd, 2015, The New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) issued a Notice under which it is soliciting comments concerning the value that Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) contribute to the distribution grid system. It is also soliciting feedback on a successor methodology to its current Net Energy Metering (NEM) policy that will help drive development in the interim. Both of these issues are being tackled by the NYPSC as part of New York’s broader Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative.
Topics: NY REV, Microgrid, Distributed Energy, Distributed Energy Resources, Net Energy Metering, Reforming the Energy Vision, NEM, DG, DER, value of D, Distribution, New York Public Service Commission, Distributed Generation, LMP+D
Co-author Morgan M. Gerard
Despite the low price of oil throughout the year, 2015 may have been an inflection point for renewable energy as a competitive generation source in the U.S. Deutsche Bank has noted that renewable sources, like solar, have reached, or will soon reach, grid parity with fossil fuel sources in many states. As non-fossil energy has become more economically viable, the industry has responded by standardizing and streamlining project processes, and by accessing financing vehicles like yieldcos and public bonds. Despite growth, the past year has also been a tumultuous one full of unexpected developments and policy shifts including the COP 21 agreement and the Clean Power Plan (CPP), and the formation of intriguing grassroots coalitions, like the green tea party. All of these developments were, of course, set against the specter of a potential step-down of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and its surprising last-minute revival. The following is a breakdown of some of the major developments impacting renewables in 2015.
Topics: NY REV, Energy Policy, Energy Finance, Distributed Energy, YieldCo, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Wind, COP21, Renewable Energy 2015, Distributed Energy Resources, CPP, Green Tea Party, Net Metering, Net Energy Metering, NEM, DG, Energy Project Finance, Renewable 2015, Green Energy, Green Energy 2015, Solar Energy 2015, DER, Offshore Wind, Clean Power, clean power plan, Georgia Solar, 2015, energy, Wind Energy, Energy Project, Green 2015, California DRP
California’s Net Metering Rates Preserved, but Debate over the Value of Solar is Ongoing
Many of the polices that helped enable the proliferation of rooftop solar installations in California, specifically net metering at the retail rate of electricity, have been preserved by the state’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), at least for the time being. Although net metering has come under fire in recent years, the Commission in a proposed decision issued this past Tuesday, sided with the solar industry despite utility claims that rooftop generators are overcompensated for their electricity, and do not share in covering the maintaining costs of the grid.
Topics: Energy Policy, Distributed Energy, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Net Metering, Net Energy Metering, California Public Utilities Commission, NEM, CPUC, DG, Time of Use Pricing, TOU, Distributed Generaton, Distributed Resource Plans, DRP