Category Archives: Policy

Articles about clean energy policy, both of the local, state, and federal level.

What’s happening with net metering in Florida? Breaking down House Bill 741

Colloquially referred to as the “Sunshine State,” Florida doesn’t disappoint: on average, about two-thirds of Florida days are sunny! Florida has risen to the top of solar states with its ample sunshine, coming in at third in the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s list of top 10 states with cumulative solar electric capacity installed through 2021. 

However, the Florida House and Senate just passed House Bill (HB) 741, which has the potential to damage Florida’s solar industry significantly. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about HB 741 and what it could mean for you if you’re a Florida resident.

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The Build Back Better Act: what’s on the line and what can you do to help?

Over the past few months, the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) has been a big topic of discussion – both in the solar industry and for the country as a whole. The bill includes climate provisions that are crucial for the United States to achieve its target of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. However, it also includes social spending and tax changes that have received less support from Senate Democrats. So, what’s the status of this bill? And what can you do to support it?

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100 percent renewable targets

Since Hawaii became the first state in the country to pass a 100 percent renewable energy target in 2015, a number of other states, cities, and utilities have followed suit. In fact, more than a dozen states and US territories have gotten in on the action with targets to procure all of their electricity from either renewable or non-emitting resources. As new states pass legislation, we will be sure to keep this list up to date.

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Texas electric retail providers: what does it mean to have a “deregulated electricity market?”

Texas experienced a series of devastating power outages in February 2021 that some are blaming on its instability caused by its deregulated electricity market. However, proponents of deregulation say that it can help cut down on costs and improve services to customers. Given this recent discussion, we will explain what having a deregulated electricity market means, how Texas’s electric choice affects customers, and how it can impact your savings with solar. 

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What you can do to fight climate change?

Climate change is no longer something in the distant future: from severe storms to wildfires to rising sea levels, we’re already experiencing the deadly side effects of a warming planet. While there’s nothing we can do to stop climate change in its tracks immediately, there are actions we can take to mitigate. 

So, as an individual, what can you do? Here are five ways that you can help fight climate change: 

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How 30 million solar homes can confront the climate crisis, address racial inequality in the energy sector, and get people back to work

From the street, Shiloh Temple in North Minneapolis looks like many other houses of worship across the country. But a birds-eye view of the church reveals the unique connection Shiloh has to the heavens – a connection that allows Shiloh to make an outsized impact on the lives of its congregants and other residents of this historically Black community.

Shiloh Temple has a rooftop solar array that generates enough electricity for the church to lower its energy bills – freeing up money for other critical community needs. The installation and maintenance of the panels also provide good-paying jobs for a diverse workforce. And because the church and its congregants actually own the system, it ensures that decisions about the energy Shiloh generates are retained in the community (it’s literally local power!) 

Now, a group of organizations, businesses, and local officials are engaged in a campaign to bring the benefits of local solar to millions of Americans. In a letter sent to Congress earlier this year, the group – which represents millions of Americans – is calling on Congress to embrace the goal of 30 million solar homes powered by solar in five years.   

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Key takeaways from COP26

Earlier this month, leaders from nations across the world gathered in Glasgow, Scotland to discuss a critical subject: climate change. While COP26 was originally scheduled for last fall, due to COVID-19, it was pushed out to this year. But, there were still some notable figures missing from the summit: President Xi Jinping of China, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil all decided to skip the trek to Scotland this year. Although some have deemed the conference a success, others have noted that while it contained many promises, it lacked plans for concrete actions. So, what were some of these key initiatives discussed at COP26? 

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The State of California Solar Policy

The California solar market is facing one of its biggest periods of upheaval ever and the next few months will set the fate of the industry for the next decade as the state decides the future of “net metering”. The stakes could not be higher for this 75,000 worker, $4 billion industry so let’s take a deeper dive into the forces bombarding the industry, the trials ahead, and how the industry can defend itself to make it through this challenging time.

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The Solar Futures Study: how we can get to 45 percent solar electricity by 2050

On September 8, 2021, President Biden made a big announcement for the solar industry: solar has the potential to power 40 percent of U.S. electricity by 2035, and 45 percent by 2050 – an increase of over 1,000 percent from where it stands today. Produced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Solar Futures Study served as the basis for Biden’s announcement, explaining the role that solar will need to play in decarbonizing the electric grid and how we can achieve these targets in a cost-effective way. In this article, we’ll answer some of the major questions you might have about this study and what this solar transition could look like. 

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The infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation bill: what could they mean for clean energy?

On Earth Day 2021, the Biden Administration announced its goal “to reach 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035”– but, until recently, no legislation had been passed to actually meet this target. This all started to shift in August 2021, when the Senate passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and then immediately advanced a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that will lay the framework for a reconciliation bill. So, what’s the status of these bills? And how will they advance the U.S.’s clean energy transition? 

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