EE Insights Header-1

Puerto Rico Update: Evolving Renewable Generation Plans

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 6/27/19 5:13 PM

By: Jeffrey Karp and Maxwell Unterhalter

Nearly two years following hurricanes Irma and Maria, challenges remain as Puerto Rico seeks to develop a cleaner and more resilient power grid. In November 2018, we discussed the evolving renewable energy situation in Puerto Rico as proposals for 100% renewable generation appeared stalled in its legislature. Half a year later, Puerto Rico has passed a new law that calls for implementing aggressive renewable energy goals.

Read More

Topics: Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: The Continuing Challenge to Rebuild the Island’s Power System and the Role of Microgrids in a Sustainable Future

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 7/12/18 10:34 AM

By: Jeffrey Karp, Zachary Altman and Caroline Lambert

In the nine months since Hurricane Maria, substantial progress has occurred in bringing Puerto Rico’s power grid back online. Some consumers with access to solar microgrid systems regained power as soon as a few days after the storm, while others who relied on traditional energy sources had to wait for the power grid to be repaired. Solar microgrid systems are unique; they offer solar-powered electricity in parallel with the traditional energy grid but can also disconnect from the grid in times of crisis and provide solar-powered energy to a smaller subset of consumers.

Read More

Topics: Microgrid, Solar Energy, Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria

The Brownfield Gold Rush: Municipalities Give Contaminated Properties New Life- Published by Cleantechnica

Posted by Administrator on 7/26/16 10:05 AM

Innovative local government leaders throughout the country are taking advantage of state and federal incentives to transform former landfills and contaminated industrial properties and waste sites into energy-producing wind and solar projects. Two examples of municipalities giving such contaminated properties new life are discussed in this article – redeveloping once polluted properties into solar installations in New Bedford, Massachusetts and revitalizing a former Bethlehem Steel plant into renewable energy projects in Lackawanna, New York.

Read More

Topics: Solar Energy, solar brownfield, contaminated property, brownfield

New Jersey's Proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard- Ambitious, but Uncertain

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 4/20/16 11:28 AM

New Jersey is poised to become a national leader in renewable energy by virtue of pending legislation that would substantially decrease the Garden State’s greenhouse-gas emissions through an ambitious Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS). An RPS is a regulatory mandate that requires utility companies to obtain a certain percentage of the energy they sell from renewable sources such as wind and solar, or purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) from qualifying energy sources. Recently passed by the State Senate, a new bill would require utilities to source 80 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2050.  If the General Assembly passes the bill and it survives the pen of Governor Christie, utilities must procure 11 percent of their electricity from renewables by 2017, with an increase every five years of approximately 10 percent until the 80 percent threshold is reached in 2050.

Read More

Topics: Energy Storage, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, clean power plan, Wind Energy, renewable portfolio standard, Clean Air Act, New Jersey, Grid Security

Hedging with Distributed Renewable Generation Sources in Times of Fossil Fuel Price Volatility

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 3/11/16 2:20 PM

Co-author Morgan M. Gerard

Until very recently, mainstream power purchasers have not viewed renewable energy as a reliable hedge against other energy sources, mostly because the costs associated with constructing or purchasing the output of renewable energy systems were very high. However, renewable energy generation systems are increasingly being viewed by large and small consumers alike as a viable hedge against fossil fuel price volatility.

Read More

Topics: Distributed Energy, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Distributed Generaton, Wind Energy, Grid Parity, Natural Gas, Volatility, Natural Gas Volatility, Electricity Price

Renewable Energy Remains Poised for a Banner Year in 2016

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 2/25/16 1:24 PM

Co-author Morgan M. Gerard

Opposition to the Clean Power Plan (CPP), promulgated by the EPA and championed by the Obama administration as a path to a cleaner energy future, recently came to a head as the Supreme Court granted opponents a stay halting implementation of the plan. The future of the CPP is full of uncertainty; motivated states on both sides of the debate, the recent passing of Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the votes against implementation, and the tumult created by the presidential election cycle make prognostication a difficult task. However, despite the uncertainty surrounding the CPP, renewable energy remains poised for a banner year in 2016.

Read More

Topics: Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, clean power plan, Renewable Energy 2016, Wind Energy

Secondary Market Looks for New Tricks After Yieldco Hiccup

Posted by Administrator on 2/23/16 11:37 AM

Republished from Solarplaza by Jason Deign & Susan Kraemer

US investors are questioning what measures could stimulate the secondary market for PV now yieldcos have lost their luster. Solar investors are looking for new formulas to boost the secondary market after yieldcos, the most popular vehicle to date, took a beating last year.

Read More

Topics: Solar Energy, Solarplaza, Solar Rooftop

With Proper Policies, A $12.1 Trillion Investment Opportunity for Renewable Energy Can Be Realized

Posted by Administrator on 2/19/16 1:20 PM

Despite the currently low prices of oil and natural gas, renewable electric power generation is poised for rapid growth. Based on a “business-as-usual” scenario, Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s New Energy Outlook, June 2015 predicted a $6.9 trillion investment in new renewable electric power generation over the next 25 years. A newly published report by Ceres, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and Ken Locklin, Managing Director for Impax Asset Management LLC, predicts a much greater opportunity for private sector companies and commercial financiers to invest in new renewable energy.

Read More

Topics: Carbon Emissions, Biomass, Solar Energy, Renewable Energy, COP21, ITC, Energy Investment, Investment Tax Credit, renewable energy investment, PTC, carbon tax, Wind Energy, Climate change, Ceres, United Nations, UNFCCC, production tax credit, cap-and-trade, renewable portfolio standard, feed-in-tariff, COP22, carbon pricing

Solar Storm- Net Metering in Nevada

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 1/29/16 2:13 PM

Co-author Morgan M. Gerard

Read More

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

New York City Examines Issues Facing Rooftop Solar

Posted by Administrator on 1/20/16 11:39 AM

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. 

Read More

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

Sullivan

About the Blog


The Environment & Energy Insights blog analyzes developments in the law, as well as provides updates and perspectives on trends and polices.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

Subscribe to Blog

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all