National News
|
1) New Report on Grid-Connected PV Metering & Interconnection Practices
A new industry report, Residential Photovoltaic Metering & Interconnection Study: Utility Perspectives and Practices, establishes a baseline of utility practices related to residential grid-connected solar photovoltaics (PV). The report, released by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), is based on a national survey of the electric utility industry's current practices related to grid-connected photovoltaic installations. The survey was developed and implemented by SEPA in collaboration with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).
2) USDA Releases Funding Notice for 2008 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
The USDA Rural Development released its Notice of Funding Availability for this year's Section 9006 clean energy grant and loan guarantee program. The program rules are similar to last year's, with a few changes. Congress recently boosted total 2008 funding for this program from $23 million to $36 million in recognition of the value and demand for Section 9006.
3) CleanEdge Report: Clean energy market expected to triple
The global market for clean energy continues to grow rapidly, with revenue in four benchmark sectors -- biofuels, wind power, solar photovoltaics and fuel cells -- up 40 percent in 2007, according to the CleanEdge Clean Energy Trends Report 2008, released March 11th.
4) The Dream Reborn Conference: New Green Economy
On the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, the Dream Reborn Conference, scheduled for April 4-6, 2008 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, will be a forum for learning about the new green economy and the opportunity it provides to fulfill Dr. King's dream of racial and economic equality and justice.
5) Recent NREL Publications on Solar Energy
New NREL brochures provide information for residential home builders who are considering incorporating solar technologies into their building plans. The brochures touch on financial factors; solar facts, and selling tips.
6) New NREL Report: Innovations in Renewable Energy Financing
NREL analysts Karlynn Cory, Jason Coughlin, and Thomas Jenkins recently published the report Innovations in Wind and Solar PV Financing.
7) Small Wind Energy News
The March 2008 issue of IREC's Small Wind Energy Newsletter is available online.
8) Small Wind Energy Stakeholder Meeting at WindPower 2008
The Annual Small Wind State Stakeholders Meeting will be Tuesday, June 3 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm during WINDPOWER 2008 in Houston. The State Stakeholders meeting provides an opportunity for states to exchange information on policies and programs to promote the use of small wind turbines. The meeting will include reports from state representatives, discussion of model zoning ordinances, a visit with a Texas small wind installer, update on regional test centers, and briefings on turbine and installer certification. There is no charge to attend the State Stakeholders Meeting, but pre-registration is requested.
| State & Local News
| 9) FL: PSC adopts Net Metering, Interconnection Standards for Systems up to 2 MW
In March 2008, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted interconnection rules for renewable-energy systems up to two megawatts (MW) in capacity. The PSC rules apply only to the state's investor-owned utilities; the rules do not apply to electric cooperatives or municipal utilities.
10) NV: PUC Establishes Rebate Levels for SolarGenerations Rebate Program Through 2013
The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada issued ruling R175-07 in January of 2008 which established rebate levels for the SolarGenerations program through 2013. The rebate levels are scheduled to decline annually with each new program year starting on July 1. Rebates are currently unavailable, but the next round of applications will start being accepted during the summer of 2008.
11) NC: Green Business Fund Initiated
The North Carolina Green Business Fund, created in 2007, provides funding to North Carolina organizations to encourage the development and commercialization of "promising" renewable energy and green building technologies. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for the development of commercial innovations and applications in the biofuels industry, sustainable building practices and private sector investment in renewable energy technologies. North Carolina-based businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 100 employees, as well as state and local governmental entities, are generally eligible.
12) TX: Austin Community College's Renewable Energy Program Gets Glowing Reviews
Austin Community College's (ACC) two-year renewable energy program aims to train workers in an industry that is moving from powering homes and businesses with traditional sources to renewable ones.
| | Grants/RFPs | 13) SDG&E Launches New Solicitation for Renewable Energy
San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) is issuing a Request for Offers (RFO) to solicit offers from eligible renewable energy generators (Respondents). To submit an offer, you must register by April 28, 2008.
14) NYSERDA Funding Opportunities
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has several Program Opportunity Notices (PONs) on the street, including:
· PON 1124: Clean Energy Business Growth & Development offers $6M for three rounds intended to help clean energy companies achieve success, grow and develop new markets through expanding their business, attracting new companies to New York, etc. Due dates are 8/4/08. For information contact: Vicki Colello, vac@nyserda.org or 518-862-1090, xt. 3273.
· PON 1176: Renewable, Clean Energy, and Energy Efficiency Product Manufacturing Incentive Program offers $10M to expand the level of manufacturing of renewable, clean, and energy-efficient products in New York State. Proposals will be accepted through June 30, 2011 by 5:00pm (ET) or until funds run out, whichever is first. Proposals will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis as they are received. Contact Jennifer Harvey at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3264 or jlh@nyserda.org.
To see full details on any of these solicitations, visit the NYSERDA website and scroll through the listings to find them.
15) SMUD Releases 2008 Renewable Energy RFO
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has released a Request for Offers (RFO) of renewable energy for power purchase agreements (PPA). Proposals are due April 7, 2008.
16) SPS Issues RFP for Solar, Biomass, Geothermal, Other Energy
The RFP seeks approximately 40 - 50 MW of solar and 9-12 MW of biomass/geothermal/other, with commercial operation dates beginning on or before January 2011. Although NOIB forms are not required as a prerequisite to bidding, they are strongly encouraged. NOIB's had to be submitted by March 3rd. Proposals must be submitted by: Monday, May 5th, 2008 - 5:00 Mountain Time.
| Other News
|
17) Two Job Postings: IEER - Oureach Coordinator; ACEEE Energy Policy Director
The Institute for Energy and Environment (IEER) seeks a qualified individual to assist with its outreach program. Email resume with three references. Position will be filled as soon as possible. Applications accepted until position is filled. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is seeking an Energy Policy Director to coordinate work on national and state energy efficiency policies. Position will be filled as soon as suitable candidate is found. Send a resume, brief cover letter and writing sample to Energy Policy Director Opening (place an underscore between "job" and "opening"). Alternatively, materials can be mailed to Energy Policy Director Opening, ACEEE, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036. No phone calls please.
| Upcoming Events
| NOTE: For details about these and other upcoming events throughout the year, click the calendar icon on IREC's home page.
18) Mar. 18-20 Workforce Development Conference, Troy, NY
19) Mar. 20-21 Geothermal Heat Pump Workshops, Sioux Falls, SD
20) Mar. 27 SEPA Call Seminar: Decoupling Utility Profit from Sales - Issues for the Photovoltaic Industry
21) Mar. 25-29 CoSEIA Annual Meeting & Conference and SEI Solar Industry Seminar, Ft. Collins, CO
22) Apr. 8-9 North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference, Raleigh, NC
23) Apr. 9 Energizing NC Industries Through Efficiency and Advanced Technologies, NC State, Raleigh, NC
24) Apr. 10 SEPA Call Seminar: 2007 Solar Year in Review and Future Trends
25) Apr. 12 GLREA Intermediate PV Seminar, Dimondale, MI
26) Apr. 19 GLREA Intermediate Wind Seminar, Dimondale, MI
27) Apr. 21-24 IEEE T&D Conference & Expo, Chicago, IL
28) Apr. 30-May 2 28th Annual Utility Energy Forum, Tahoe City, CA
29) May 3-8 Solar 2008: ASES Annual Conference, San Diego, CA
30) May 8 SEPA Call Seminar: Utility Solar Business Models - Final Report
31) May 11-16 IEEE PV Specialists Conference, San Diego, CA
32) May 17 GLREA Introductory Renewable Energy Seminar, Hastings, MI
33) May 21-22 Fuel Cell 2008, Long Beach, CA
34) June 1-4 Wind Power 2008, Houston, TX
35) June 3 Small Wind Stakeholders Meeting, WINDPOWER 2008, Houston
36) June 20-22 19th MREA Energy Fair, Custer, WI
37) June 26 SEPA Call Seminar: National PV Incentive Program Survey60 - What do Solar Customers Think?
38) June 27-29 Michigan Energy Fair, Onekama, MI
39) Oct. 5-8 Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting, Reno, NV
40) Oct. 13 IREC Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
41) Oct. 13-16 Solar Power 2008, San Diego, CA
|
| About this Newsletter/How to Subscribe
| | The State & Stakeholder Newsletter is published electronically on a semi-monthly basis by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. To subscribe to this newsletter, click here and follow the instructions. There is no fee for subscriptions. If you have comments or news items, please send them to Jane Pulaski. Disclaimer: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation.
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment