Rethinking Standby & Fixed Cost Charges: Regulatory and Rate Design Pathways to Deeper Solar PV Cost Reductions
Utilities have taken on the practice of applying standby and fixed cost charges specific to solar PV for customers choosing to go solar as a means to recover costs resulting from net energy metering (NEM). These charges are not the most efficient or best means for utilities to recover costs and this report finds that an integrated approach that includes the items below will allow for both effective utility cost recovery and minimal impact on the U.S. PV market.
How Much Do Local Regulations Matter? Exploring the Impact of Permitting and Local Regulatory Processes on PV Prices in the United States
While PV modules and other hardware costs have dropped significantly over recent years, non-hardware soft costs have also fallen, but not nearly as sharply. This research report, authored by experts from Yale University, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, University of Texas at Austin and the US Department of Energy, focuses on the impacts of city-level permitting and other regulatory processes on residential PV prices in the US. Key Findings:
Comparing Photovoltaic (PV) Costs and Deployment Drivers in the Japanese and U.S. Residential and Commercial Markets
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory releases their new report "Comparing Photovoltaic (PV) Costs and Deployment Drivers in the Japanese and U.S. Residential and Commercial Markets". Key findings from the report found that system prices as well as soft costs were cheaper in Japan. In particular, customer acquisition and system design were both found to be significantly lower in Japan than the US.
SEIA Joins National #PutSolarOnIt Day with I LIKE SOLAR Initiative
Teaming up with more than 30 leading environmental and energy groups, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today announced its participation in the National #PutSolarOnIt Day of Action this Saturday.
Cheaper, Reliable Renewable Energy Is Ready to Help States Meet EPA’s New Carbon Rule Cost-Effectively
Renewable energy industries have done their part to cut costs and are already helping every state make progress to cut their carbon emissions. Even better, these industries can help states make even more significant reductions, in accordance with the proposed rule – saving consumers money and driving local economic development in the process.
The Climate Group, SEIA Join Forces to Expand Solar, Reduce Pollution
In celebration of Earth Day – and as a way to encourage the widespread use of non-polluting energy sources – The Climate Group and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have teamed up to create a Facebook campaign designed to accelerate the adoption of solar energy in the United States.
SEIA Applauds White House Selection to Head CEQ
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reacting to news that Mike Boots has been selected to become acting chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), issued the following statement:
America Supports Solar’ Campaign Kicks Off
WASHINGTON, DC – Did you know that solar energy in the United States is now generating enough electricity to power 2 million American homes, including the White House? Or that the payback on installing a home heating and cooling system (SHC) can be as little as four years? Would you be surprised to learn leading blue chip companies like Walmart, Apple, Costco, Kohl’s and IKEA are saving big bucks by installing rooftop solar? Or that just one utility-scale solar facility can power 170,000 homes?
Businesses, Environmental Groups Rally Behind National 'Shout Out For Solar' Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Saying “solar makes sense,” leading businesses and environmental groups will join hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and around the world in support of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) National “Shout Out For Solar” Day – set for Friday and taking place on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.
National ‘Shout Out For Solar’ Day Gains Momentum
Supported by both business and environmental groups, hundreds of thousands of people from across the United States and around the world are expected to take part in the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) National “Shout Out For Solar” Day – set for Friday, January 24, and taking place on Facebook, Twitter and other social media venues.