New Jersey Legislature Sends Two Important Solar Energy Bills to Gov. Murphy’s Desk
TRENTON, N.J. and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday the New Jersey legislature passed two pieces of legislation that will help increase solar development across the state.
South Carolina PSC Strikes Down Duke Resource Plan
COLUMBIA, SC and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected Duke Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the Carolinas and directed the utility to modify its existing and future IRPs in response to input from the solar industry.
Texas Governor Signs Series of Pro Solar Bills into Law
AUSTIN, TX and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this week Texas Governor Abbott signed a series of bills into law that will benefit the Texas solar industry, including SB 398, SB 63, and SB 760. These bills will help to clarify rules around decommissioning solar sites and strengthen consumer protection.
Gov. Murphy Has Opportunity to Bring Solar-Ready Warehouses to New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, the New Jersey legislature passed A3352 which will require new warehouses to be solar-ready buildings. If Governor Murphy signs this bill into law, new warehouses that are constructed on or after July 1, 2022 will need to include a building design that’s optimized for solar installations. The bill defines warehouses as any building that is 100,000 square feet or more and primarily used to store goods for resale.
SEIA Amps Up Storage Advocacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is announcing a new venture to prioritize energy storage across policy advocacy, membership, research and events. The venture, called the Storage Advocacy Network, will be a formal branch of SEIA and serve as a national and state advocacy voice for energy storage.
Colorado Makes it Easier to Connect Solar + Storage Projects to the Grid
DENVER and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Decisions by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission earlier this week will make it faster and easier to connect solar + storage systems to the grid. The decisions primarily adopt recommendations by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA).
West Virginia Enables Solar Power Purchase Agreements
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The West Virginia legislature has passed a bill to make it easier for West Virginians to benefit from solar energy. House Bill 3310 enables power purchase agreements (PPAs). PPAs are a widely available method to finance distributed energy generation projects such as rooftop solar panels. PPAs are now allowed in 29 states.
Governor Baker Brings Tax Certainty to Massachusetts Solar Customers, Sets Net Zero Emissions Target
BOSTON and WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today Governor Baker signed “An Act Creating A Roadmap for the Next Generation of Climate Policy” into law, ending a months-long standoff with the legislature on this bill.
MI PSC Order in Consumers Energy Rate Case Creates Muddled Future for Solar
Lansing, MI — The Michigan Public Service Commission issued its Order in the Consumers Energy rate case on Thursday. While Consumers has agreed to double the cap on its Distributed Generation (DG) program from 1% to 2%, the order creates an uncertain future for solar energy in Michigan by falling short of the recommendations in Administrative Law Judge Sally Wallace’s October Proposal for Decision.
Arkansas Group Joins National Solar Trade Association, Strengthening Solar Advocacy in the Southeast
WASHINGTON, D.C. and LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association for the U.S. solar energy industry, announced today that the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) is now an official SEIA state affiliate. AAEA becomes the 19th SEIA affiliate and builds on a growing network of solar advocacy groups in the Southeast region. These formal partnerships help to connect regional groups to additional resources and the national effort to promote solar growth in markets around the country.