National News
| 1) April 30, 2008 IREC Telephone Seminar - Fire Safety Guidelines for PV Systems
The next IREC Telephone Seminar will be held Wednesday, April 30, at 2pm EDT (1pm CDT, noon MDT, 11am PDT, 10am Alaska, 8am Hawaii) on Fire Safety Guidelines for PV Systems. The seminar will last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Pre-registration is required.
2) Presentations from New Ideas in Educating a Workforce in Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
The New Ideas in Educating a Workforce in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Conference took place on March 19 and 20, 2008 at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. Over 50 speakers shared their expertise and experiences with 300 attendees from Community Colleges, Technical High Schools, Training Centers and others from 33 states as well as representatives from Australia, Germany and Canada.
3) Mainstreaming Solar Electricity: Strategies for States to Build Local Markets
Clean Energy Group (CEG) and Peregrine Energy Group announce the release of a new Clean Energy State Program Guide, Mainstreaming Solar Electricity: Strategies for States to Build Local Markets, funded, in part, by the Department of Energy Solar America Initiative. Based on the real-time experience of the leading state solar programs, the guide highlights strategies and policies that states can take to advance local solar markets. The report was prepared by Mark Sinclair, Clean Energy Group and Steve Weisman, Peregrine Energy Group.
4) How Future Renewable Energy Professionals Are Breaking into the Industry
Dawn E. Dzurilla, President, Gaia Human Capital Consultants, writing for RenewableEnergyWorld.com online (2.22.08), describes the current demand for a qualified renewable energy workforce and some of the educational opportunities offered in the U.S. IREC's Jane Weissman is quoted in this artlcle.
5) DOE's TAP Webcast April 16: "A Look behind the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard"
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Technical Assistance Project for State and Local Officials (TAP) will host a Webcast today, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, titled, "A Look behind the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard."
6) New Study Highlights State Experience in Supporting Renewable Energy through Increasingly Popular Renewables Portfolio Standards
A growing number of states are supporting renewable electricity through the creation of renewables portfolio standards (RPS), according to a report released today by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report provides a comprehensive overview of early experience with these state-level RPS policies.
7) DOE Announces Plans for Future Loan Guarantee Solicitations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to issue loan guarantee solicitations in two stages this summer for up to $38.5 billion for projects that employ advanced technologies that avoid, reduce or sequester emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. This will mark the second and third rounds of solicitations for DOE's Loan Guarantee program, which encourages the development of new energy technologies and is an important step in paving the way for clean energy projects.
| State & Local News
| 8) State & Local Issues & Trends: IREC's 2008 Annual Meeting
Save the date now for IREC's 2008 Annual Meeting on Monday, October 13, in San Diego, CA as part of the Solar Power '08 Conference. This year, IREC is aligning its annual meeting with the Conference's workshop schedule. On the agenda: an in-depth discussion on interconnection and net metering - the effectiveness of different state policies and best practices, update on market trends for solar installations, perspectives on the programs underway on certification for hardware, practitioners, and training programs, and new ideas and models in educating the renewable energy workforce.
IREC's Annual Updates & Trends Report will be distributed and the winners of the IREC Innovation and Special Recognition Awards will be announced.
9) SMUD (CA) and Woodside Homes Agree to Build Some 1,500 Solar Homes
Nearly 1,500 solar-powered, super energy-efficient SolarSmart homes will be built in the Sacramento area in an agreement between SMUD and homebuilder Woodside Homes. The deal is the largest to date between any utility and homebuilder in the United States.
10) Governor Ritter (CO) Announces 22 Partners in Solar Residential Program
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) has committed $550,000 of Clean Energy Funds and created a total program budget of $1,076,000 to advance solar investment in the state. The 22 partners represent 12 utilities, three cities, one county, and five non-profits.
11) Mid-State Technical College (WI) Looking for New Renewable Energy Faculty
Mid-State will begin offering the Renewable Electricity Technician and Renewable Thermal Energy Technician associate degree programs at its Wisconsin Rapids campus beginning August, 2008. Mid-State is now in the process of searching for two new faculty members to teach in the Renewable Electricity and Renewable Thermal programs. It will accept resumes until the positions are filled and will begin interviewing candidates as soon as possible.
News from Solar America Cities 12) City of Portland, Sunny Enough For Solar!
"We believe if we can demonstrate that Portland, Oregon is sunny enough for solar, than solar can work anywhere," said Susan Anderson, Director of the City's Office of Sustainable Development (OSD). The City of Portland, one of the first 13 cities to receive the Solar City Award from the U.S. Department of Energy, is considered one of the world's most sustainable cities.
| | Grants/RFPs | 13) NYSERDA Funding Opportunities
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has several Program Opportunity Notices (PONs) on the street. To see full details on any of these solicitations, visit the NYSERDA website and scroll through the listings to find them.
- 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
14) NYS Issues RFP for Solar on Municipal Buildings
On April 9, 2008, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that the City Department of Administrative Services (DCAS) would issue an RFP for private solar developers to purchase, install, own and maintain solar panels on city-owned buildings in all five boroughs as part of PlaNYC. The plan would more than double the City's current solar electric capacity.
15) Colorado Governor's Energy Office (GEO) Offers Solar Innovation Grant
GEO is seeking grant applicants for $350,000 in incentives for solar innovation projects. The Solar Innovation Grant funds are being made available through the Clean Energy Fund and will be used to support programs that can overcome financial, educational and technical barriers and lead to greater solar electric and solar thermal technologies in the residential and commercial sectors. Grant applications are due by April 30th, 2008.
16) DOE Announces up to $4 Million for University Research into Advanced Biomass Conversion
DOE's recent Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA DE-PS36-08GO98017) seeks projects that improve the conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels through biochemical, thermochemical, and chemical processes and is focused on lowering production costs and increasing yields and productivity. DOE anticipates selecting 12 awards under this announcement and requires project applicants to contribute a minimum of 20 percent cost share. Applications for this FOA are due June 2, 2008.
17) Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Issues Third Round of RFP's for 'Project 150'
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Round 3 of "Project 150," an initiative promoting the development and deployment of "Class I" renewable energy resources. Parties interested in participating in "Project 150" are required to complete a proposal consistent with the new RFP document and submit it to CCEF by May 30, 2008.
18) 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
| 19) Solar, Wind, and High Performance Homes Workshops on Slate for SolWest Fair
SolWest Fair in John Day, Oregon, will host three extended pre-fair workshops: a three-day Hands-on Installation Workshop July 22-24 will install a 2-kW utility-intertied, battery-backup, solar electric system. The "Small Wind Power for Homes, Farms, Business, and Schools" workshop July 24-25 will provide an overview of wind power with an emphasis on small wind turbine applications. Christopher Dymond of the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will present "Building a High Performance Home" on July 25. He'll cover the technical requirements and financial incentives associated with building a home to Oregon's new High Performance Home Tax Credit (up to $12,000). Advance signup is required for these workshops.
20) Geothermal Technologies Workshop in Colorado in June
The Colorado Energy Office (CEO), Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc (Tri-State G&T, Western Area Power Administration (Western), the American Public Power Association (APPA), and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are hosting a Geothermal Technologies workshop June 10-11, 2008 at TriState G&T's facilities in Westminster, CO.
21) 1st DOE Workshop on Specialty Glass Needs for the Solar Industry Enormously Successful
On April 2-3, 2008, Jeffrey A. Mazer and Glenn Strahs co-chaired the first DOE-sponsored Workshop on Specialty Glass Needs for the U.S. Solar Industry. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together the solar and glass communities to examine and discuss the imminent huge demand for specialty glass by the PV and CSP industries.
| Upcoming Events
| 22) Apr. 19 GLREA Intermediate Wind Seminar, Dimondale, MI
23) Apr. 21-24 IEEE T&D Conference & Expo, Chicago, IL
24) Apr. 24-25 Texas Solar Forum, Austin, TX
25) Apr. 30-May 2 28th Annual Utility Energy Forum, Tahoe City, CA
26) May 3-8 Solar 2008: ASES Annual Conference, San Diego, CA
27) May 8 SEPA Call Seminar: Utility Solar Business Models - Final Report
28) May 11-16 IEEE PV Specialists Conference, San Diego, CA
28) May 15 Renewable Energy Vermont Dist. Energy Conference, Stratton Mtn. Resort
30) May 17 GLREA Introductory Renewable Energy Seminar, Hastings, MI
31) May 21-22 Fuel Cell 2008, Long Beach, CA
32) June 1-4 Wind Power 2008, Houston, TX
33) June 3 Small Wind Stakeholders Meeting, WINDPOWER 2008, Houston
34) June 10-11 Geothermal Technologies Workshop, Westminster, CO
35) June 17 NY Solar Summit, Manhattan, NY
36) June 20-22 19th MREA Energy Fair, Custer, WI
37) June 21-25 APPA National Conference and Public Power Expo, New Orleans
38) June 26 SEPA Call Seminar: National PV Incentive Program Survey - What do Solar Customers Think?
39) June 27-29 Michigan Energy Fair, Onekama, MI
40) July 11-13 SolarFest 2008, Tinmouth, VT
41) July 25-27 SolWest Energy Fair, John Day, OR
42) Oct. 5-8 Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting, Reno, NV
43) Oct. 13 IREC Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA
44) Oct. 13-16 Solar Power 2008, San Diego, CA
45) Oct. 15 Renewable Energy Vermont 7th Annual Conf. & Trade Show, Burlington
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| 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.
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