Brian Madigan, AICP

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has proposed significant final changes to its regulations for the Permanent Community Solar Program. These updates aim to enhance access and streamline processes for community solar projects across the state. In this alert, Dan Skowronski and Pamela Goodwin highlight the key changes to be aware of ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eyzSs94w #SolarEnergy #PublicUtilities

6

@RenewableEnergyWorld reporting that community solar is advancing again in PA. Maybe it will finally pass this time? "On March 26, 2024, the Community Solar Act, HB 1842, was passed by vote of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and sent for consideration by the Senate. The Act establishes a third-party-owned community solar program in the Commonwealth. Under the legislation, community solar facilities must have a maximum nameplate capacity of 20 MW (AC) for facilities located on a brownfield or rooftop and 5 MW (AC) if located elsewhere. Community solar facilities cannot have any single offtaker with a subscription for more than 50% of the facility’s capacity or energy output, except for master-metered multifamily residential or commercial buildings. At least 50% of the facility’s subscribed capacity must be for subscriptions of 25 kW or less. Some or all of the facility’s generated electricity must be credited to subscribers’ electric bills to offset all charges except volumetric or demand-based distribution charges. Community solar facilities may be remotely located and are not required to provide energy serving on-site load." Read more at https://conta.cc/49SgukV #solar #energy #solarenergy #renewables #renewableenergy #electricity #energystorage #ESS #distributedenergy #sola

1

🚨Important Update for Massachusetts Municipalities!🚨 According to a recent report from the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has completed a nearly year-long investigation and issued uniform guidelines for approving future municipal aggregation plans. Through an aggregation program, municipalities can purchase electricity in bulk from investor-owned utilities on behalf of their residents, providing competitive pricing, increased renewable energy content, and price stability for the community. This is a huge step towards more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions for Massachusetts towns and cities! Learn more about how your community can benefit from this program by visiting https://ow.ly/ta3e50TH9my #MunicipalAggregation #RenewableEnergy #PriceStability #Massachusetts #EnergySolutions #CSS

1

☑️ Agrivoltaics is a fresh, thriving practice that creatively blends conventional agriculture and solar power production. ☑️ Agrivoltaics projects, like the successful cattle grazing and solar power generation in Massachusetts, show the feasibility of this idea and generate interest in it among other states. ☑️ Combining solar power with various crops, such as soybean and sweet corn, allows for increased productivity and efficiency. Agrivoltaics, or combining traditional farming with solar power generation, has been steadily gaining traction in the renewable energy sector. This concept, central to the work of many solar companies, exhibits the potential benefits of coexisting farming and power generation rather than treating them as competing land uses. Despite the mixed public opinion on large solar plants, this approach has shown significant promise, exemplified by multiple successful projects in Massachusetts that combined cattle grazing with solar power generation, proving advantageous for both agriculture and energy sectors. Other states such as New Jersey and New York are also exploring similar initiatives, reflecting the growing interest in this sustainable model. Furthermore, the integration of solar power with various crops, including soybeans and grains like wheat, barley, and oats, presents exciting opportunities for overlapping productivity. However, agrivoltaics' success hinges on respecting and accommodating the needs of local communities and environmental considerations. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

1

The solar energy sector in Pennsylvania is powering up, with a new analysis from LandGate revealing the potential for 11 GW of additional capacity through planned and proposed projects. Beyond our 46 existing utility-scale solar farms, hundreds more are in development, signaling unprecedented momentum in clean energy investment. From shovel-ready sites to streamlined permitting and a supportive business climate, #PAGetsItDone. Dive into the data: https://lnkd.in/gAHeUA6A  

25

3 Comments

BREAKING: Last week, Office of Governor Josh Shapiro sued PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, to challenge PJM’s decision to set needlessly high prices for electricity that consumers would end up paying. This legal filing aims to prevent what would potentially be “the largest unjust wealth transfer in the history of U.S. energy markets.” “Governor Shapiro’s lawsuit against PJM is exactly the type of public protection work Pennsylvanians need right now. With AI and crypto driving new electricity demand, electricity prices are set to rise. Yet cheap and abundant renewable energy has been waiting in line at PJM for approval to get built. Rather than snatching billions from our pocketbooks and giving it to energy companies, PJM should be hurrying those renewables online so we can all benefit at a reduced cost.” Read our full statement at https://lnkd.in/dyDMz5GE.

7

“Evaluation metrics include cost-saving regional benefits, project costs, urgency of need, environmental impact, siting, and other factors. ‘Since larger transmission projects can help transfer power from larger renewable resources in rural areas to more densely populated areas, these projects may offset the need for new generating resources in urban and suburban locations. Methods to measure such benefits are included in the evaluation process,’ ISO-NE said.” #energy #transmission #electricity #policy #marketregulation https://lnkd.in/emtv5Kmn

1

Weather is the largest driver of energy use, and ISO New England trains and prepares for operating the grid through the coldest months of the year. Learn more: https://buff.ly/4iwyWVu

34

On December 23, the Maine Governor's Energy Office has recommended that the Public Utilities Commission procure up to 200 MW of energy storage to enhance grid resilience, reduce electricity costs, and advance the state's clean energy goals.💡 This initiative supports Maine's statutory energy storage targets of 300 MW by 2025 and 400 MW by 2030. ➡️Learn more: https://ow.ly/leIS50UyO93 ➡️Recommendation Report: https://ow.ly/i7HN50UyOj2

1

Catch up on #ProjectsWeekly, a roundup of all the solar project news you missed from last week. https://lnkd.in/g8UTK4rg >Ampion, PBC. energize five community solar projects in Maine. >Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC energizes Morrow Lake Solar project in Texas. >Long Island Power Authority approves two energy storage contracts in New York. >MN8 Energy spearheads 135 MWac solar project in Illinois. >EDF Renewables North America energizes Morris Ridge solar project in New York. >Phillips 66 teams with NextEra Energy Resources to power Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex

2

The Governor’s Energy Office today announced that Maine has joined a total of 10 Northeast states in signing a memorandum of understanding for improved regional planning of electricity transmission to create a stronger, more reliable, and more efficient grid and accelerate the clean energy transition. Other states joining the MOU include Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Improving interregional electricity transmission planning and coordination can stabilize energy costs by increasing access to affordable clean energy while bolstering grid reliability at times of high energy demand and improving resilience against extreme weather. https://lnkd.in/e8nWPhD4

125

1 Comment

We are excited to announce the release of the #PeakCoalition’s latest report, "Demanding a Better Grid: How Demand Management Can Accelerate the Phase-Out of New York City’s Peaker Power Plants." NYLPI is proud to be part of the PEAK Coalition, which came together to end the long-standing pollution burden from peaker plants on the city’s most climate-vulnerable people. 5 years after the coalition’s inception, a lot of progress has been made, but too many harmful peakers remain. New York’s environmental justice communities cannot be sacrificed any longer. These plants are harming people’s health, contributing to global warming, and costing New Yorker’s millions of dollars in utility bills. There are much better ways to ensure a reliable grid. Read our report to learn more about one of them: Demand Management. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gUG2ECKt

1

Regional solar policy news to know: #RhodeIsland incentivized energy storage; funding is available for #agrivoltaic demo projects in #NewYork; and the #Massachusetts senate has passed a bill that sets solar permitting deadlines for utilities and makes it easier to purchase electric vehicles. #SolarPolicy #RhodeIslandSolar #NewYorkSolar #MassachusettsSolar #KinectSolar

4

New York State is continuing to meet clean energy goals with green energy. The Commission’s Order on Value of Distributed Energy Resource (VDER) Tier 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) will allow Joint utilities to sell and transfer banked VDER and RECs among its members for Clean Energy Standard compliance years 2023 and 2024. Removal of the prohibition on selling and transferring VDER RECS will permit the upstate utilities to sell excess VDER RECs to Con Edison and Central Hudson. This will help to avoid the unintended financial consequences of the upstate utilities forfeiting approximately 1.1 million RECs by end of compliance year 2024 at the cost of approximately $30 per REC.   The process will begin with compliance year 2023 to initiate the savings for both the upstate and downstate facilities immediately. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiACPD4B

1

It’s cheap, it’s plentiful, it’s renewable: The solar energy story | In the latest episode of New England Today, Richard talks to Meralli Solar's David Mailler about renewable energy, the people that are the most important part of any project, and why your power bill isn't going down. #newswithoutpaywalls #hyperlocal #newengland #netimes #News

2

When we first meet with people interested in solar, we always ask them about their goals - are they hoping to reduce their electric bill? Obtain back-up power in an outage? Reduce their carbon footprint? In New England we're seeing more people talk about "energy independence" as a primary motivator for going solar. This industry trend makes sense in the face of growing climate disasters and rising energy costs. Fortunately, achieving home energy independence is straightforward and can be done in a series of steps. From energy-efficient appliances and insulation to solar arrays and battery backup systems, there's something in this guide for everyone: https://lnkd.in/gHZycWej #ClimateResilience #EnergyIndependence #SolarEnergy

31

3 Comments