West Virginia Legislation Poses Serious Threat To Rooftop Solar
Is it politics at play? Or simply a case of sloppy drafting? Whichever the case, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has a tough choice to make in the next few days. Legislation now on his desk, HB 2201, could jeopardize the future of rooftop solar in the state by rewriting West Virginia’s net-metering policies. Regardless of the motives of the bill’s authors, pure or clandestine, we strongly urge Gov. Tomblin to do the right thing – veto the bill and start over.
SEIA Urges West Virginia Governor to Veto Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it “unfair to families, businesses and churches,” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is urging West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to veto HB 2201, which could jeopardize the future of rooftop solar in the state by rewriting West Virginia’s net-metering policies. Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO, said the legislation needs to be revised before becoming law:
Solar Industry Swings Back At Lies, Fake Studies
Mark Twain said it best, there are “lies, damned lies and statistics.” It’s hard to tell which is which after closely reviewing the latest hatchet job on solar energy by the Koch brothers’ front group, The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA).
New Jobs Report Shows Value of Solar Energy to U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, DC - Growing at an annual rate of more than 20 percent – far outpacing the growth of the overall U.S. economy, a new report released today shows that the U.S. solar industry added more than 31,000 jobs in 2014, bringing total employment in the sector to 173,807 workers. The results were released by The Solar Foundation (TSF), a widely-respected, non-profit organization.
New Study Touts Solar as ‘Investment Opportunity'
WASHINGTON, DC - A new study released today by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center finds that investing in a 5 kilowatt solar system can be a better deal than investing in a stock market index fund in 46 of America’s 50 largest cities.
Going Solar in America
As solar prices continue their historic decline, many Americans may remain unaware of the true financial value of solar today. According to this report from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, 21 million single-family homeowners in the US live in a city where solar costs less than their current utility rates when paired with low-cost financing options. There's a clear information gap that this report seeks close.
Solar Energy’s Rapid Growth Highlighted In New Report
People in Washington love to talk about an “all-of-the-above” national energy strategy. But usually that’s “code” or “political speak” for efforts to increase drilling around the United States. To its credit, the American Petroleum Institute (API) released a new, comprehensive report today, which gives us a look into how an “all-of-the-above” approach, including renewables, is working.
Solar Featured in New ‘State of American Energy Report’
WASHINGTON, DC - Signaling the growing importance of solar energy to America’s future, the widely read and cited annual “State of American Energy Report” – released today by the American Petroleum Institute (API) – includes, for the first time ever, a comprehensive section on the rapid growth of the U.S. solar energy industry and its impact on our nation’s economy and environment.
Nevada Continues Strong Solar Investment
With the addition of another major solar power plant supplying clean, renewable energy to America’s sunniest state, Nevada was second in the nation in added solar capacity during Q3, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) most recent U.S. Solar Market Insight® quarterly report. The Copper Mountain 3 project added 171.4 megawatts (MW) to Nevada’s solar portfolio.
Utah’s Solar Industry Beginning to Take Hold
A new growth industry is emerging in Utah, where residential solar installations in Q3 alone were equal to the amount installed in all last year. In addition, added solar capacity in Q3 was more than six times the capacity installed over Q3 2013, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) most recent U.S. Solar Market Insight® quarterly report.