Energy Self-Reliant States: The High Cost of the Solar Middleman

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity

How much does a solar middleman cost?  A lot, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.  My latest blog post explains why the state of Massachusetts expects to pay double the production incentive for 3rd party owned (solar leasing) projects compared to host owned projects.

Sincerely,
John

No more middlemen

The High Cost of the Solar Middleman

If there’s no such thing as a free lunch, then how can Americans get solar on their roof with “zero money down” and lower their electric bill?  Solar leasing, as it’s often called, is a clever market solution to poor federal and state policy design that otherwise requires Americans to do financial acrobatics to power…

CONTINUE READING ->

Democratic Energy’s Top 5 of 2013

1.      Rooftop Revolution

2.      germany Has More Solar Power Because Everyone Wins

3.      Half of Germany’s 53,000 Megawatts of Renewable Energy is Locally Owned

4.      Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities

5.      Mapping Solar Grid Parity

CONTINUE READING ->

Planning for Phasing Out IncentivesThe success of solar is remarkable, no less because the amount of federal subsidy in absolute terms has been far less for renewable energy than for fossil fuel resources (see graphic below).1 As the cost of solar drops toward – and below – grid parity, the question is how to adjust solar subsidies appropriately. Should…

CONTINUE READING ->

How Solar Saves on Grid Costs – Episode 13 of Local Energy Rules

“We can avoid that $100 million investment in transmission lines, distribution lines, in capital infrastructure…”

How can a utility like Long Island Power Authority avoid all that new capital expenditure?  Find out in this interview with Vice President of Environmental Affairs Michael Deering, recorded via Skype on November 25, 2013. The first question…

READ THE RECAP AND LISTEN IN ->

dominoes

John Talks Rate Hikes on WCCO TV“The [PUC] needs more support from the legislature in having a critical eye.  The laws that they operate under don’t give them a lot of flexibility to question the base assumptions that Xcel is bringing to the table…”

WATCH THE CLIP ->

Democratic Energy on Tour

Staff from the Democratic Energy initiative (me) speak at events around the country. Check out the upcoming and past events on ILSR’s speakers page, or see if you’re on the list below:

February 1, 2014 – Kansas City, MO
john farrell is a special guest speaker at theMissouri Solar Energy Industries Association annual conference.

January 18, 2014 – Northfield, MN
john farrell will participate in a city-wide Climate Summit.

November 8, 2013 – Decorah, IA
John Farrell presented to the opening plenary session the 5th Conference of the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability at Luther College, speaking about the intersection of campus sustainability and the shift toward communities taking control of their energy future.  View the presentation and read the remarks.

Popular Resources