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NREL Report Provides Most Granular View of Soft Costs to Date
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released a report that breaks down the ‘soft costs’ associated with the installation of residential and commercial photovoltaic systems in greater detail than ever before, with detailed looks at customer acquisition and system design costs, as well as permitting, inspection and interconnection costs.
Main Street, Not Wall Street, is Growing Solar Energy
Since 2000, more than 1,460 MW of residential solar installations have been installed across the country and in 2012 alone, rooftop solar installations nearly doubled the installed capacity added in 2010. These growth numbers are great, but who’s behind it? Your first thought might be the wealthy Wall Street bankers or celebrities in Hollywood, but you’d be mistaken.
Why DG World Needs The Grid More Than Ever
The rapid growth of rooftop solar has fueled an important debate about the future of our electric power system. And for good reason. Affordable, onsite solar power—aka distributed generation (DG)—offers electric customers something they’ve never had before: choice of where their power comes from and control over costs. The implications for the electric power system are profound and transformational as they point to a more decentralized future.
Study Shows Reduction in U.S. PV Installation Labor Costs Possible
A new study from the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Georgia Tech Research Institute finds that U.S PV installation labor costs can be decreased from $0.49/watt to $0.29/watt by utilizing installation best practices. Researchers studied installation practices at 26 sites in the U.S. and Germany to determine current practices and future opportunities.
SEIA Leadership Urges Industry to Unite in Face of Challenges
CHICAGO, IL -- Speaking at the opening session of Solar Power International 2013 -- the largest solar trade show in America -- Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association delivered the following remarks:Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to Chicago. Welcome to SPI 2013. And welcome to the Big Leagues.
New Study: Expanded Solar Development Would Save North Carolina Ratepayers $26 M Annually
WASHINGTON, DC – A study released today shows ratepayers in North Carolina could see $26 million in energy savings annually if the state were to add 400 megawatts (MW) of wholesale solar and 100 MW of distributed solar generation.
An Island (Tokelau) Powered 100% by Solar Energy
Some of the most vulnerable places in the world to live in the face of climate change are islands. Rising sea levels, contaminated ground water, and increasing severity of storms are just some of the many threats to island communities. Many island residents also pay extremely high energy prices, due to limited domestic resources and the need to import fuel long distances. Switching to renewable energy can not only decrease fuel expenditures for many island populations, but can also show the world what can be done in the face of climate change.
Solar Energy Non-Profit Delivers Alternative Energy to Low-Income Neighborhoods
Residential solar power has become increasingly affordable over the past few years as an environmentally friendly, cost-saving alternative to traditionally sources of energy. But the barriers to entry can still be too high for low-income communities, which is where solar non-profits like GRID Alternatives come in.
SEIA Says New Guidebook on Net Metering Will Benefit Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A key new report offering a standardized approach to determining the benefits and costs of distributed generation (DG) was released today by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC). After reviewing the report, SEIA Sr. Vice President Carrie Cullen Hitt issued the following statement:
Solar Energy: An American Success Story
In China, 2013 is the year of the snake. But here in the United States, this may well go down as the year of the sun. A recent market analysis by GTM Research shows the U.S. market installed 832 megawatts (MW) of new photovoltaic (PV) installations in the second quarter of this year – a whopping 15 percent increase over the first three months of 2013.