SEIA

Added Record 3.3 Gigawatts of Capacity, Enough New Capacity to Power More Than 500,000 Homes

WASHINGTON, DC – Carrie Cullen Hitt, senior vice president of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association, released the following statement in reaction to the Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC)  vote, taken at yesterday’s public hearing, to eliminate all incentives for competitive commercial solar systems.

WASHINGTON, DC – In his State of the State address, California Governor Jerry Brown today discussed California’s ambitious energy goals, aimed at accelerating deployment of solar and other renewable resources.  In his speech, the governor underscored that California is on track to reach –and potentially exceed– its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal of 33 percent by 2020.

WASHINGTON, DC, JAN. 9, 2013 – In his State of the State Address, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced an expansion of New York State’s NY-Sun Initiative for solar energy, funding it with an additional $150 million per year over the next 10 years.  The governor also announced plans to create a $1 billion green bank, as well as his appointment of Richard Kauffman as New York’s chairman for energy policy and finance.

The St. Thomas Housing Project had been a somewhat rundown low-income housing project before Hurricane Katrina hit, known primarily for its high crime rate. But now, the area has become the focus of several government agencies working to revitalize it through sustainable and renewable technologies.

The best billboard for solar power is a solar panel. People are captivated and inspired by solar panels quietly at work producing clean energy. Last month, Americans saw tens of thousands of these billboards through almost 600 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) tours of homes, municipal buildings and businesses in 38 states, each demonstrating the use of clean, affordable solar power.

WASHINGTON – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today approved legislation allowing solar energy to continue its rapid growth in the state. The package of bills, all related to tax exemption of solar projects in New York, is likely to have a positive impact on the total amount of electricity derived from renewables in the state. The Solar Energy Industries Association ® (SEIA ®) applauded the new laws, which will keep New York’s impressive solar growth on track to achieve its renewable energy goals in the NYSun Program.

Today Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the 2012 Energy Act. Among other provisions, this comprehensive energy bill raises the cap on an important solar program called “net metering.” Most solar electric installations are connected to the grid and feed excess power produced to other utility customers; net metering rules gives customers credit for extra power they generate.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) today signed legislation into law that allows the state's solar energy market to continue growing and creating good jobs in N.J. over the next several years. The legislation, S1925/A2966, addresses the current imbalance of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which created uncertainty in the market for project developers and end users.

This legislation addresses the current oversupply of N.J. solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), brings stability back to the N.J. solar market, and keeps the N.J. solar industry growing over the next several years.