Governor Youngkin Signs Energy Generation Property Tax Exemption Into Law, Strengthening Energy Freedom in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill into law today which creates a property tax exemption for residential and mixed-use solar energy systems up to 25 kilowatts in size. This new law expands energy freedom for consumers and creates an additional incentive to do business in the Commonwealth. Following is a statement by Will Giese, southeast regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association:
Florida Legislation Undercuts Rooftop Solar, Allows Monopoly Utilities to Charge Exorbitant Fees on Thousands of Floridians
WASHINGTON D.C. — The Florida Legislature passed a bill today (HB 741) that will undercut the state’s growing rooftop solar industry by phasing down net metering and allowing utilities to charge excessive fees on over 100,000 solar customers in the state. Under the legislation, utilities will be able to levy unlimited fees on solar customers by 2026, giving them a stronger monopoly hold over Floridians. Following is a statement from Will Giese, southeast regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
Net Metering Agreement in North Carolina Follows South Carolina’s Lead
RAHLEIGH, NC and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the past few years, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) advocated for energy choice and solar energy expansion in North Carolina through policies that work for the region.
Florida Legislation Will Gut the Rooftop Solar Market, Energy Freedom in the State
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. and WASHINGTON D.C. — Legislation filed yesterday in the Florida Legislature aims to end net metering for rooftop solar customers, effectively shutting down this key sector of the state economy and undermining energy freedom for tens of thousands of Floridians. National and state solar advocates are calling on lawmakers to reject this legislation and allow the state’s rooftop solar market to continue growing: Following is a statement from Will Giese, southeast regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Implements New Solar Incentive Program
TRENTON, N.J. and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) released its detailed plans to implement a new Successor Solar Incentive Program and close the Transition Incentive Program to new applications within 30 days.
Solar Permitting Tool Hits the Market to Boost Rooftop Solar Installations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As America passes three million solar installations, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is formally launching SolarAPP+ to help state and local governments to streamline and automate rooftop solar permits. After 40 years of growth, America reached 1 million solar installations in 2016, 2 million in 2019, and 3 million in 2021. With the help of SolarAPP+, the U.S. will double its solar installations to 6 million by 2026.
Texas Governor Signs Series of Pro Solar Bills into Law
AUSTIN, TX and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this week Texas Governor Abbott signed a series of bills into law that will benefit the Texas solar industry, including SB 398, SB 63, and SB 760. These bills will help to clarify rules around decommissioning solar sites and strengthen consumer protection.
Solar Leases in South Carolina Get Property Tax Exemption
COLUMBIA, SC and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, South Carolina’s state legislature passed H. 3354, which exempts leased and third party owned residential solar systems from property taxes. This exemption is already in place for solar customers that own their systems. The new legislation puts all solar customers on equal footing when it comes to tax treatment. H. 3354 prevents solar customers from getting double taxed and will help to support South Carolina’s growing rooftop solar market.
Solar Market Forges Ahead in Q3 as Residential Installations Recover and Utility-Scale Pipeline Grows
WASHINGTON, D.C. and HOUSTON, TX — U.S. solar companies installed 3.8 gigawatts (GW) of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in Q3 2020, a 9% increase from Q2 installations as the industry experienced a recovery from the worst impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York DPS Whitepaper Takes Step Toward the Future of Solar Rate Design
The New York Department of Public Service (DPS) released a long-anticipated whitepaper that proposes rate design changes for residential solar customers in the state.