solar

The U.S. will lift tariffs on solar products imported from Canada

As part of the agreement signed on July 8, the U.S. and Canada also committed to prohibiting imports of solar products produced with forced labor.

By John Engel, Renewable Energy World

The Trump administration implemented the solar safeguard measure in 2018 to support domestic solar manufacturing. While largely aimed at China, the safeguard extended to all solar imports.

In February, a panel found that Canada’s inclusion in the solar safeguard was inconsistent with rules within the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

That same month, President Biden extended the solar safeguard measure for an additional four years, but excluded bifacial cells and doubled the import quota on solar cells to 5 GW. Biden also directed the United States trade representative to conclude agreements with Canada and Mexico on trade in solar products.

“Reaching this settlement with Canada will promote the greater deployment of solar energy in the United States using products from one of our closest allies, and foster a more resilient North American supply chain for clean energy products made without forced labor,” United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement.

Read the full story here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

The U.S. will lift tariffs on solar products imported from Canada Read More »

New bill in Florida legislature would end solar net metering

By Kelsey Misbrener Solar Power World

Legislation filed November 22, 2021 in the Florida Legislature aims to end net metering for rooftop solar customers, effectively shutting down this key sector of the state economy and undermining energy freedom for tens of thousands of Floridians.

Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley introduced SB 1024, which aims to “revise and provide legislative findings relating to the redesign of net metering to avoid cross-subsidization of electric service costs between classes of ratepayers” and require the Public Service Commission to propose new net metering rules that comply with specified criteria by a certain date; while authorizing certain customers who own or lease renewable generation before a specified date to remain under the existing net metering rules for a specified time.

Don’t miss energy news like this Click for free updates

National and state solar advocates are calling on lawmakers to reject this legislation and allow the state’s rooftop solar market to continue growing.

“This is a tired tactic that utilities have used to maintain their monopoly grip on electricity markets. Net metering is a popular program that gives people the right to choose the energy that works for them, provides benefits to all ratepayers and creates thousands of energy jobs across Florida. The bill is another of a long line of cynical efforts carried out in the state of Florida at the behest of monopoly utilities to the detriment of Florida residents,” said Will Giese, southeast regional director for SEIA, in a statement.

Read the full story here

New bill in Florida legislature would end solar net metering Read More »

Judge rejects Trump tariffs on imported solar panels

By Jonathan Stempel Metro US

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A U.S. judge overseeing trade issues on Tuesday overturned a decision by then-President Donald Trump to allow a reimposition of tariffs on some imported solar panels.

The decision by Judge Gary Katzmann of the U.S. Court of International Trade is a defeat for some domestic manufacturers.

It came one year after he ruled that Trump’s October 2020 proclamation to revoke a tariff exemption for double-sided, or bifacial, solar panels had not violated an earlier court order.

Trump’s proclamation was a “clear misconstruction” of a law that permits measures to liberalize rather than restrict trade, and “constituted an action outside the President’s delegated authority,” Katzmann wrote on Tuesday.

Shares of First Solar Inc, a large U.S. solar panel manufacturer, fell after the decision and were down 7.1% in late afternoon trading.

The Biden administration had defended Trump, saying he acted lawfully to close a “loophole” that he believed was undermining tariff protections against an “explosive” increase in imports.

Don’t miss energy news like this Click for free updates

The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bifacial technology is a small but growing part of the solar panel market, costing more but capable of producing greater power than traditional panels.

Trump had said extending the exemption would likely reduce the effectiveness of tariffs meant to help shield the domestic solar industry against growing imports.

But a trade group, the Solar Energy Industries Association, contended that higher tariffs could wipe out a few billion dollars of domestic investment a year.

Read the full story here

Judge rejects Trump tariffs on imported solar panels Read More »

Nearly 1 MW of solar installed for Teaneck, NJ school district

By Kelsey Misbrener Solar Power World

Infiniti Energy announced it has completed construction on 905 kW of new solar projects for the Teaneck New Jersey Board of Education. Infiniti Energy was hired by Concord Management Services, the EPC for the project. The project was completed under a PPA, which enables the district to achieve the financial benefits of renewable energy immediately while eliminating up-front expenditures and outsourcing operation and maintenance costs over a specified period. Financing for these projects was provided by Empower Energies.

“We were excited to help support the Teaneck school system with the installation of renewable energy sources that will provide stable energy costs for years to come,” said Michael Aladich, Jr., Infiniti senior project manager. “Public-private partnerships are an ideal option for educational facilities and municipal governments looking to reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint, and we are proud to be an industry leader in the transition away from fossil fuel sources.

The design includes rooftop solar arrays at six K-12 buildings. Locations and individual system sizes include:

  • Teaneck High School, a 119-kWDC array.
  • Theodora Smiley Lacey School, a 110-kWDC array.
  • Thomas Jefferson Middle School, a 265-kWDC array.
  • Whittier Elementary School, a 125-kWDC array.
  • New Administration Building, a 103-kWDC array.
  • Lowell Elementary School, a 114-kWDC array.

“The Board of Education takes the stewardship of taxpayer money and our natural resources very seriously,” said Anthony D’Angelo, Teaneck School District Director of Facilities. “This project is a win-win for both residents and students. Not only will the new solar arrays save our school district money, but they will also provide direct educational opportunities for our students concerning the benefits to the environment of the growing clean energy industry.”

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

Nearly 1 MW of solar installed for Teaneck, NJ school district Read More »

New law aims to increase Delaware’s lagging number of community solar installations

From a post in JDSUPRA

On Friday September 17, 2021 Delaware Governor John Carney signed three unique bills all seeking to tackle different environmental issues, Senate Bills 2, 21, and Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 24.

This update will focus on Senate Bill 2 which facilitates development of community owned energy generating facilities and renewable energy in particular, solar power projects in the First State.

Senate Bill 2 has since prompted solar developers to explore new opportunities for these projects. The date on which Delmarva Power will start accepting applications is just around the corner. In this article, we will give some background and practical pointers for solar developers and landowners seeking to take advantage of this new legislation.

Expanding Solar Power in the State

Over the last decade, there has been significant growth in the use of solar power in the United States and around the world. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average annual growth rate in solar energy has been 42 percent over the past ten years. However, Delaware has arguably lagged behind this trend. Senate Bill 2 was passed in an effort to change that.

The bill, originally introduced in the Senate’s Environment & Energy Committee this past June, amends Titles 6, 26, and 29 of the Delaware Code relating to community-owned energy generating facilities and renewable energy. The legislation will involve a rulemaking by the Public Services Commission to culminate on March 11, 2022.

What the Law Will Do

Senate Bill 2 was enacted to eliminate current barriers to community-based solar photovoltaic systems in Delaware. The legislation sets up a regulatory process to be implemented by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) with consumer protection provided by Delaware’s Department of Justice. Among other things, Senate Bill 2 will:

  1. Authorize multiple types of system ownership models, defined as “community-owned energy generating facilities”
  2. Allow a maximum system size of 4 megawatts (MW)
  3. Eliminate a previous requirement that all customers of a system be located on the same distribution feeder
  4. Eliminate a previous requirement that all customers of a system be identified before the system can be built
  5. Provide for the regulation of community-owned energy generating facilities by the PSC and specify the fees and other requirements for the system to be granted a Certificate to Operate
  6. Provide compensation to the system owner for 10% or less of unsubscribed energy
  7. Require system owners to certify that the system serves at least 15% low income customers; and
  8. Require the PSC to engage in rule-making in consultation with Delaware consumer protection authorities, and promulgate rules and regulations by March 11, 2022.
  9. This process has begun unfolding at a fast pace, with solar developers rushing to secure rights to suitable land, as well as prepare their applications.

Read the full story here

If you liked this post you’ll love our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

New law aims to increase Delaware’s lagging number of community solar installations Read More »

October solar policy snapshots

A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country.

By Kelsey Misbrener Solar Power World

House Democrats push for increased solar incentives in budget package
Washington, D.C.

A handful of Democrats are working to include a new Production Tax Credit for solar projects in the budget reconciliation package currently being debated by the House of Representatives. The draft package also includes an ITC extension and direct pay for solar incentives.

DOE Secretary asks all U.S. mayors to speed rooftop solar permitting process
Washington, D.C.

Dept. of Energy Sec. Jennifer Granholm wrote an open letter to all U.S. mayors asking them to adopt NREL’s SolarAPP+ instant online permitting process. Granholm wrote that SolarAPP+ is a rare, easy way to cut red tape and empower more residents to go solar.

DOE releases blueprint for massive solar energy expansion in the United States
Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy recently published a study investigating the role solar power will play in the country’s urgent decarbonization. The department found that solar has the potential to power 40% of the nation’s electricity by 2035, but bold policymaking is necessary to reach that goal.

Read the full story here

Don’t miss environmental news like this Click for updates

October solar policy snapshots Read More »

Verified by MonsterInsights