|
|
 |
| This Year Will Be a Solar-Powered Super Bowl |
|
WTOP - Levi’s Stadium, which opened in July 2014, is the first professional football stadium in the NFL to open with LEED Gold certification, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington.
Princeton, New Jersey-based NRG Solar LLC installed more than 1,150 solar panels at the stadium during its construction — enough to produce 375 kilowatts of peak power. The system can generate enough power in a year to meet electricity demand during every San Francisco 49ers home game.
|
|
|
 |
| One Statistic Shows Just How Dramatically Our Energy System is Changing |
|
The Washington Post - In mid-2015, when the Environmental Protection Agency released its Clean Power Plan, it made a prediction of sorts. Under the new policy to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector, the EPA said, coal use would decline and the use of natural gas and renewables would increase. The result, by the year 2030, would be a country in which coal, once the leading source of U.S. power, would only provide “about 27 percent of the projected generation,” with “natural gas providing about 33 percent.”
Well. According to new data just released in the 2016 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook — a project of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, produced for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy — the shift may be happening a lot faster than the EPA thought less than a year ago.
|
 |
|
 |
Policy Updates |
 |
|
| Executive Branch |
|
Obama Seeks $12.8 Billion to Expand Clean-Energy Research
Bloomberg - President Barack Obama wants to double U.S. investment in clean-energy research and development, to $12.8 billion by 2021, as part of a broader commitment to curb the effects of climate change.
The administration is seeking $7.7 billion in discretionary funding in fiscal 2017 to boost funding for the research at 12 federal agencies, according to a White House fact sheet released Saturday. The funding would increase by 15 percent a year through fiscal 2021.
|
| Legislative Branch |
|
Senators Stand Up For Net Metering
Right now, SEIA is closely focused on the U.S. Senate, where a move has been made to protect hundreds of thousands of Americans who are harnessing the power of the sun through rooftop solar.
An amendment by Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Harry Reid, D-Nev., to the Senate energy bill, now being debated on the floor, protects consumers by codifying their right to sell power back to the electric grid. It would safeguard consumers who have already invested in solar systems for their homes and businesses against retroactive rule changes to net energy metering policies.
|
| State Policy |
|
Nevada's Perplexing War on Solar
CNN - Charlie Catania signed up the first day he could. It was May 2014, and the solar-leasing giant, SolarCity, had just come to town -- "town," in this case being Las Vegas, where the retired 71-year-old once worked as a Baccarat dealer. ("The James Bond game," he explained to me, apparently noticing through the phone that I'm no good at gambling. That was "when the mob used to run this town," he said. "It was great.")
|
|
California’s Distributed Resources Proposal Could Benefit Grid, Solar and Utilities
PV Tech - The organisation responsible for overseeing California’s bulk electric power system has approved proposals to accommodate more distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, energy storage, advanced inverters and demand response, onto the state’s grid.
The board of directors at the non-profit California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) also determined on Wednesday that measures can be taken to “replace ageing technologies” so that distributed resources can be used to respond quickly to steep rises in demand.
|
|
|
|
|
Get Involved |
|
|
|
|
Join SEIA For 2 Finance Events In NYC
|
|
We have two back-to-back finance conferences next month in New York City. SEIA's inaugural Solar Goes Corporate Summit, which will bring together leaders from the corporate, solar, finance and legal sectors on Feb. 17, will take place the day before our annual Finance & Tax Seminar, Feb. 18-19.
Register for one or register for both. Use promo code TWOEVENTS16 to receive $100 off the Solar Goes Corporate Summit when you register to attend both events.
We hope to see you for this year’s conferences. For questions, please reach out to Sara Geist at [email protected] or call 202-566-2875. Space is limited, so sign up now. We’ll see you in New York!
|
|
Solar Industry Fundraisers
|
|
The SEIA Political Action Committee (SolarPAC) – Join now to receive information on upcoming SolarPAC events and activities like the Washington Capitals versus Toronto Maple Leafs game on March 2!
SolarPAC – GET INVOLVED TODAY!
|
|
|
SEIA Tweet of the Week |
|
|
|
 Click to Tweet:
With One New Form, @SEIA Simplifies #Solar Leasing Process For Consumers http://seia.us/1K9JGY2 #SolarIsNow
|
 |
|
|
Member Benefits |
|
|
| Your SEIA Dollars At Work |
|
We've done the math and the average SEIA membership equals a total savings of $11,200 for member companies. That's an average $7,700 return on investment! What are you waiting for?
|
|
Get GTM Squared
|
|
 GTM Squared is a new membership from Greentech Media delivering in-depth insights to energy professionals. Sign up today and use promo code SEIA20 to get $20 discount on an annual membership.
|
|
20% Off Entry-Level Solar PV Training
|
|
Everblue Training, LLC, has partnered with SEIA to bring members the most comprehensive and effective introduction to solar energy training on the market. Receive 20 percent off on online and on-demand training. Get started now and reach your goal of becoming a NABCEP-certified solar contractor!
|
|
25% Off Career Services
|
|
Whether you need to post a new position or search for new positions within the solar industry, JobTarget has your company covered. Members receive a 25 percent discount when using SEIA’s Solar Jobs Board.
|
|
20% Off Policy Tracking Services
|
|
Stay on top of proposed state legislation, state regulatory proceedings and general rate case tracking with PolicyVista, EQ’s suite of policy tracking services. SEIA members receive 20 percent off!
|
|
|
Members in the News |
|
|
|
Smart Energy Storage System, sonnenBatterie, Is Ready For Hawaii With HECO Approval
|
|
The sonnenBatterie, one of the world's most popular residential storage systems, is officially install-ready in Hawaii after meeting the advanced energy storage requirements from the Hawaii Electric Companies (HECO). After meeting HECO's energy storage requirements, the fully integrated sonnenBatterie smart energy storage systems are immediately available to residents and ready for installation across the Hawaiian islands.
|
|
|
SolarEdge Holds The Lead In Module-Level Power Electronics
|
|
For now, in the fight for the solar module-level power electronics (MLPE) crown, SolarEdge's optimizers hold the lead over long-time MLPE champion Enphase, given both firm's respective performance over the past few quarters. SolarEdge just posted its fourth profitable, record-setting-revenue quarter. The company met its guidance and beat analyst consensus on revenue and gross margin.
|
|
|
Vikram Solar Expands Into 14 Additional Sub-Saharan Countries
|
|
Vikram Solar is partnering with Powertech Africa, thereby entering 14 new markets in sub-Saharan Africa, including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Vikram already operates local offices in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. Vikram Solar, with Powertech Africa as its official sales agent, expects to generate PV module sales of one megawatt in sub-Saharan Africa by May 2016.
|
|
|
Ygrene Energy Fund Partners With Solar Roof Dynamics To Bring Affordable Financing To Rooftop Solar In California
|
|
Ygrene Energy Fund Inc. announced today a strategic partnership with Solar Roof Dynamics LLC, a premier distributor of best-in-class solar solutions for California's roofing industry. Leveraging Ygrene's unique PACE financing model, YgreneWorks™, Solar Roof Dynamics can now offer consumers through its broad base of commercial and residential partners the ability to pay for their rooftop solar upgrades over time through property taxes.
|
|
|
This Software Reduces Soft Costs For Solar Installations
|
|
According to an NREL report, about half the cost of a residential solar installation is non-hardware soft costs. Reducing those costs is the mission of Sighten, a software tool set for solar installers. Co-Founder and CEO, Conlan O’Leary explains, “To date, most solar companies and financing providers have had to use horizontal software like Microsoft Excel or had to build software of their own. Those approaches were ultimately too unwieldy, inefficient and not scalable.” O’Leary says Sighten is on a mission to reduce the soft costs. The company’s software platform provides a “comprehensive solution,” he says, to manage the solar project lifecycle from CRM to design, proposals and asset management.
|
|
|
Industry Research |
|
|
| EIA: Electricty Generation From Utility-Scale Renewable Sources Expected To Grow 9% This Year |
|
Electricity generated from utility-scale renewable plants is expected to grow by 9 percent in 2016, based on projections in the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook. Much of the growth comes from new installations of wind and solar plants and increases in hydroelectric generation after a relatively dry 2015. In 2016, electricity from utility-scale renewable sources is expected to account for 14 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States, with wind and solar contributing 5.2 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.
|
| New Report On Benefits Of State RPS Policies |
|
A new report, A Retrospective Analysis of the Benefits and Impacts of U.S. Renewable Portfolio Standards, from the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) finds that state renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policies reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, while also reducing water use, creating renewable energy jobs and suppressing wholesale electricity and natural gas prices.
|
| New Report Reveals Some Key Market And System Drivers For Low-Priced PV Systems |
|
A new report, Characteristics of Low-Priced Solar Photovoltaic Systems in the United States, from the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) pinpoints the characteristics of recently-installed PV systems at the lower end of the observed solar price range. By studying the attributes of low-priced PV systems, LBNL's report helps identify what can be done to facilitate those conditions and drive down PV system prices more broadly.
|
|
|
PSEG Long Island, on behalf of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for resources in Western Nassau, New York, to address reliability conditions in the Far Rockaway and Glenwood load areas. The RFP is seeking 160 MW of resources in Far Rockaway by Dec. 31, 2020, increasing to 275 MW by 2030. At Glenwood, the RFP is seeking 100 MW by Dec. 31, 2020, with no increase thereafter. The RFP is open to all resource types that can meet the performance requirements, including renewable energy. Renewable resources that are selected as part of this RFP will be considered as contributing toward meeting LIPA’s overall renewable resource goals.
RFP deadlines are: Pre-bid conference webinar, Feb. 11; Question submittal, April 15; Notice of intent to bid, April 29; and Proposal submittal, May 13.
|
|
RFP For Renewable Heating And Cooling In New York
|
|
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) seeks proposals from firms qualified to provide technical information, economic and technical modeling and policy and economic analysis in the area of renewable heating and cooling. Through this solicitation, NYSERDA anticipates selecting one or more contractors to provide as-needed consulting services. Proposals must be received by NYSERDA on or before Thursday, Feb. 11.
|
|
|
|
|
Graphic Of The Week |
|
|
Celebrating a Solar-Powered Super Bowl
|
|
With the help of SEIA Members NRG and SunPower, SEIA released this awesome infographic highlighting the solar array installed at Levi's Stadium, home of this past Sunday's Super Bowl 50.
|
 |
|
|
|
New Members! |
|
|
|
Enerparc, Inc.
|
|
Project Developer
Oakland, Calif.
|
|
Demeter Power Group, Inc.
|
|
Financial Company
West Palm Beach, Fla.
|
|
TSEC America
|
|
Distributor
Brea, Calif.
|
|
Coastal Solar Power Company, LLC
|
|
Contractor/Installer
Hinesville, Ga.
|
|
Solar Source Consulting
|
|
Consultant
Little Rock, Ark.
|
|
LFC Capital, Inc.
|
|
Financial Company
Chicago, Ill.
|
|
SolaRack - Solar Mounting Solutions
|
|
Manufacturer
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
SEIA Events |
|
|
|
|
Clean Energy Industry Reception
|
|
Feb. 14 | Washington, D.C.
Come join the clean energy industry at the City Tap House, a cozy local bar, for some food and drink. We'll have a beer tasting with local brews from around the Mid-Atlantic region. The reception is co-hosted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Advanced Energy Economy, Advanced Energy Management Alliance, American Wind Energy Association, Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Ceres, National Hydropower Association and SEIA.
|
|
|
NARUC: New Protection Tools For Solar Customers
|
|
Feb. 14 | Washington, D.C.
As solar energy use increases across residential and small commercial markets, so does the need for increased consumer protection. SEIA launched a consumer protection committee to identify and prioritize consumer protection issues, develop new tools and solution sets, educate the public and industry, and engage with federal, state and local policymakers, and regulatory officials. SEIA's Tom Kimbis and SolarCity's Chet McGensy will speak on this panel. Full agenda.
|
|
|
Disadvantaged Communities And The Clean Energy Economy
|
|
Feb. 15 | Washington, D.C.
SEIA is convening a panel discussion at 7:30 a.m. EST. The panel will address timely questions about efforts across the industry to broaden access to solar. The agenda and speakers will be added soon. PosiGen is co-sponsoring this event with SEIA.
|
|
|
Solar Goes Corporate
|
|
Feb. 17 | New York, N.Y.
SEIA's inaugural summit will bring leaders together to share valuable insight into successfully procuring, developing, deploying and investing in solar projects. Come learn from the experts about meeting your company's triple bottom line and reduced carbon-footprint goals at a lower cost and with less risk of incurring pitfalls during project procurement and operation. Use promo code TWOEVENTS16 to receive $100 off the summit when you also register to attend SEIA's Finance & Tax Seminar (info below).
|
|
|
Finance & Tax Seminar
|
|
Feb. 18-19 | New York, N.Y.
This is the preeminent solar industry conference dedicated exclusively to finance and tax issues facing the solar industry today. Attendees will learn from and network with attorneys, developers and financiers currently working in this space. Thought leaders will put the latest industry trends in context and provide unique perspectives to help you stay ahead of the curve.
|
|
|
PV Conference & Expo - Boston
|
|
Feb. 24-25 | Boston, Mass.
Solar Power PV Conference & Expo (formerly PV America) is all about PV solar solutions. With a regional focus, it brings together manufacturers and service providers with professionals interested in the technologies, innovations, research and policy that is driving the PV industry today and into the future.
|
|
|
Solar Power International
|
|
Sept. 12-15 | Las Vegas, Nev.
The flagship solar power event and the largest solar trade show in North America is only nine months away, but the North Hall show floor is sold out. To accommodate demand, we've opened up more space at the Westgate Innovation Pavilion. The pavilion focuses on smart home technology and energy storage. Exhibit at SPI 2016.
|
|
|
|
Industry Events |
|
|
|
|
2016 NASEO Energy Policy Outlook Conference
|
Feb. 9-12 | Washington, D.C.
This is the national forum to connect with and learn from state energy officials working on innovative energy policies and programs, and to engage with federal officials on priority energy issues. The program will feature experts and strategists from government, business and advocacy groups focused on sharing new ideas and partnership models that promote energy affordability, infrastructure resilience, clean energy technologies and economic opportunity. |
|
|
Maryland Clean Energy Lobby Day 2016
|
Feb. 11 | Annapolis, Md.
Join MDV-SEIA for Solar Lobby Day 2016! This year,, we encourage you to setup meetings with your legislator. |
|
|
NARUC Winter Committee Meetings
|
Feb. 14-17 | Washington, D.C.
Attendees get the latest information from U.S. federal policymakers, consumer advocates, industry officials and other stakeholders. Subjects under discussion will include the latest on the Clean Power Plan, the FCC's proposal on Internet neutrality and updates on grid modernization, natural gas safety, utility interdependencies, and much more. |
|
|
NEC Changes & Solar PV Systems Training
|
Feb. 19 | Portland, Ore.
The PV Systems course will provide participants with knowledge of the NEC requirements to ensure consistent and uniform installation and inspection methods for PV systems. This course offers 8 hours of Code Change CEUs with the Oregon BCD, 6 industry related electrical CEUs with WA Dept. of L&I, and the following NABCEP CEUs: 6 Hours NEC + 2 Hours Technical OR 2 Hours Non-Technical/Other. |
|
|
NREL PV Module Reliability Workshop
|
Feb. 23-25 | Denver, Colo.
NREL hosts this workshop so solar technology experts can share information that leads to the improvement of PV module reliability. |
|
|
Solar PV Systems Best Practices And Operations & Maintenance
|
Feb. 25 | Portland, Ore.
This course offers 4 hours of Code Related CEUs with the Oregon BCD, and the following NABCEP CEUs: 4 Hours Technical. |
|
|
PACENation Summit
|
Feb. 29-March 2 | Denver, Colo.
The summit will bring together legislators, PACE program administrators, financiers and others to network and share best practices in over 20 informational sessions and interactive workshops. |
|
|
APRA-E Energy Innovation Summit
|
Feb. 29-March 2 | Washington, D.C.
This conference brings together businesses, academia and government to advance cutting-edge technologies that could fundamentally change the way we generate, use and store energy. |
|
|
2016 Solar Power Colorado
|
March 7-9 | Broomfield, Colo.
Plan now to join Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association for the Rocky Mountain region's largest solar conference and expo. Prominent leaders in solar business, policy and technology will be speaking and hundreds will attend from around the nation. The early bird special offer expires this week! |
|
|
Energy Storage — 2015 Year-In-Review
|
March 9 | 1 p.m. EST
Ravi Manghani of Greentech Media will provide data and analysis of the state of the energy storage industry in the U.S. |
|
|
2016 ACORE National Renewable Energy Policy Forum
|
March 16-17 | Washington, D.C.
This year’s forum will provide in-depth analyses of national and global renewable energy policies and address the critical challenges that lie ahead, including the implementation of the Clean Power Plan, the achievement of the nation’s COP21 commitments and the policy signals and business models needed to drive continued market evolution and expansion. |
|
|
California's Distributed Energy Future 2016
|
March 16-17 | San Francisco, Calif.
Join GTM for its first state-specific conference on the future of the grid edge. As distributed energy gains steam in California, state regulators, policymakers, utilities and DER providers are shaping the rules, regulations and markets that will ensure the transition is speedy and smooth. It’s a complex, exciting landscape, and today’s actions in California will undoubtedly influence tomorrow’s DER market across the country. |
|
|
Solar — 2015 Year-In-Review
|
April 6 | 2 p.m. EST
2015 was a big year for solar. Corey Honeyman of Greentech Media will share the latest statistics for 2015, and analyze what these trends portend for the future. |
|
|
2016 State Energy Conference
|
April 20-21 | Raleigh, N.C.
This conference is organized to examine the impacts of energy technologies, policy and finance on customers at all levels of the energy marketplace. Gain actionable insight into the business of energy, connecting technical innovation, diverse resources and industry opportunity to help drive North Carolina's regional energy economy forward with national impact. |
|
|
Oregon Solar Energy Conference
|
|
May 4-5 | Portland, Ore.
2016 conference attendance will grow as the solar industry in the Pacific Northwest booms. We have a new location at the Portland Crowne Plaza and we will be featuring new courses as well as some popular ones we have served up in the past. This two-day event will have courses offering Continuing Education for Electricians, LRTs, Apprentices, Architects, Engineers and NABCEP Professionals. Learn about exciting new solar products at the Professional Trade Show.
|
|
|
Solar Summit 2016
|
|
May 11-12 | Scottsdale, Ariz.
Now in its ninth year, GTM’s flagship annual solar conference attracts leaders from across the solar value chain. Join us in Arizona for over two days of unrivaled networking opportunities and innovative, engaging panel sessions that will provide a unique mix of market intelligence and coordination among industry players.
|
|
|
NEC Code Change And Solar PV Systems
|
|
June 3 | Seattle, Wash.
The PV Systems course will provide participants with knowledge of the NEC requirements to ensure consistent and uniform installation and inspection methods for PV systems. This course offers 8 hours of industry related CEUs with the WA Dept. of L&I and NABCEP CEUs: 6 Hours NEC + 2 Hours Technical OR 2 Hours Non-Technical/Other.
|
|
|
Grid Edge World Forum 2016
|
|
June 21-23 | San Jose, Calif.
Introducing a conference and exhibition building on the growth and success of GTM’s Grid Edge Live event. Join us for three days of high-quality content, unparalleled business networking opportunities and dedicated exhibition time to experience the latest innovations at the grid edge. Hear from the industry experts shaping the next generation electricity system with exclusive keynotes, fireside chats and 120 percent more deep-dive knowledge sessions. Compare different perspectives from utilities and regulators from around the globe in dedicated regional spotlights.
|
|
|
|
|
