Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7718908@N04/5916982848/sizes/l/in/photostream/

A recent report from Deutsche Bank concludes that solar power has now reached grid parity in India and Italy, meaning that it costs the same as electricity from the power grid. The goal of the Indian government is to produce 20 GW of solar by 2022. This report also estimates that by next year many more countries will also reach grid parity. The German bank has also increased its solar demand forecast for this year by 20% because of strong demands in places like India, the U.S., China (around 7 to 10 GW), the U.K. (around 1 to 2 GW), Germany and Italy (around 2 GW). While China is already the biggest producer of solar, it is expected to become the world’s biggest solar market this year. There’s also progress with big concentrating solar farms, even though the big drop in solar PV prices has made them relatively less attractive than they used to be. The current biggest CSP plant has started operations in the UAE, and an even bigger solar CSP farm is under construction in the Mojave desert in the US. Brightsource Energy is in the process of completing its massive Ivanpah concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the Mojave desert, making it the largest in the world. The rapid growth of solar power is promising for many more countries to be successful in reading grid parity. 

Source: Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy by Michael Graham Richard, April 8, 2013

Source: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-smog-eating-pavement-greenest-street-america.html

Chicago city officials have dubbed Cermak Road in Chicago, Illinois, the greenest street in American on April 1, 2013. This city roadway includes smog-eating pavement, streetlights that run on solar and wind power, sidewalks made with recycled concrete, and shrub-filled “bioswales” to keep storm water out of overtaxed sewers. The Windy City has been experimenting with greener approaches to urban planning for years as part of a broader plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change: more intense storms and more extreme temperatures. The $14 million project to reshape two miles (3.2 kilometers) of the industrial Pilsen neighborhood incorporates pretty much everything city planners could come up with to cut energy use, fight pollution, reduce waste, manage water use and help build a sense of community. The project amazingly costs 21 percent less than a traditional road resurfacing project and should be cheaper to maintain. Chicago is one of a growing number of cities that are no longer waiting for the federal government to deal with climate change and are instead finding local, “no-regret” solutions, said Karen Hobbs, a water analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Chicago is planting more trees, improving public transportation and improving bicycle lanes, and using more efficient street light bulbs. Chicago says it is the first in the nation, however, to lay down smog-eating cement. Because it’s significantly more costly than traditional pavement, Chicago is using this material in thin, permeable pavers for the bicycle and parking lanes along Blue Island Avenue and Cermak Road. Project manager Janet Attarian insists that while the smog-eating pavers are pretty impressive, it’s the combined approach that is going to make a real difference. Officials hope that this project will inspire others to take advantage of the many opportunities there are to improve our roads. Choosing drought-resistant plants for the bioswales means they ought to be able to withstand the hotter summers forecast as a result of climate change without wasting fresh water. The city is currently drafting new guidelines that will incorporate many of these green approaches as requirements for any new road work going forward.

Source: Smog-eating pavement on ‘greenest street in America’ by Mira Oberman, April 7, 2013

Walking the halls of the Utah State Capitol during the Legislative Session, it is clear that Utah policymakers have embraced modern technologies. From smart phones and tablets, to tweets and blogs, Utah policymakers understand the importance of staying up-to-date in the 21st century.  In the case of clean energy policies considered during Utah’s 2013 Legislative Session, their votes are starting to reflect that same understanding. This year, Utah joined nearly 30 states in adopting a policy that enables Commercial PACE financing in the Beehive State.

Utah’s commercial buildings currently consume one-fifth of Utah’s total energy and close to 40% of Utah’s electricity, the majority of which is generated by burning coal. Enabling Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing provides Utah businesses with a needed financing mechanism to cut energy costs through energy efficiency retrofits and on-site renewable energy. Despite the interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects among Utah businesses, a major barrier for many commercial property owners is the upfront costs and difficulty accessing low-cost, long-term financing for such projects. C-PACE overcomes this obstacle and makes it easy for building owners to transfer repayment obligations to a new owner upon sale.

PACE HISTORY IN UTAH
In 2010, Utah Clean Energy worked with interested parties to develop legislation (Senate Bill 194) that would have enabled PACE financing for both residential and commercial properties. While the bill received strong support from local government and industry, concern from the Utah Bankers Association about subordination of residential mortgages and opposition to PACE on the national level from Federal Housing Financing Agency prevented SB194 from moving forward.

Beginning mid-year 2012, Utah Clean Energy began working closely with interested local governments, property owners, to bring the commercial component of the bill back to life. In mid-February 2013, Senate Bill (SB) 221, Assessment Area Act Amendments, sponsored by Senator Kevin Van Tassel, was introduced to the Utah Legislature. This enabling legislation allows municipalities in Utah to offer C-PACE financing to commercial building owners in Utah.

HOW’D WE GET HERE?
Utah Clean Energy played a major role in developing and securing passage of SB 221. Central to our success in 2013 was the fact that SB 221 is limited to non-residential properties and language was added that requires lenders to provide consent before an existing mortgage can be subordinated by the C-PACE assessment. In addition to these critical changes addressing concerns from the 2010 legislation, we worked strategically to involve key stakeholders and built support among industry and decision-makers. Our success can be attributed to the following strategic efforts leading up to the bill’s passage:

• Hosting a webinar (in partnership with PACENow) to educate parties interested in C-PACE in Utah. The webinar introduced participants to C-PACE concept, along with proposed legislative language that addressed previous concerns.
• Meeting regularly with the Utah Bankers Association, Zions Bank Public Finance, and individual lenders to understand and address their previous concerns. We kept bankers and lenders involved throughout the process to make sure their interests were represented.
• Coordinating with PACENow throughout the process, tapping into their PACE expertise and available resources. PACENow generously hosted an on-line petition, which we circulated during the session to demonstrate the broad support for the legislation.
• Meeting with Utah utilities to make them aware of the legislation and ensure they were comfortable with the language; ultimately, none of Utah’s utilities had issue with the bill, and some of the municipal utilities expressed support for the concept.
• Requesting industry feedback on draft legislation ahead of the legislative session and incorporating necessary changes into the draft bill language. We requested feedback from local governments, local businesses and business associations, and commercial real estate groups; this process was critical to garner broad support.
• Recruiting a coalition of supporters, including members of Utah Clean Energy’sClean Energy Business Coalition, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, BOMA Utah, Utah League of Cities and Towns, Utah Association of Counties, Utah Association of Energy Users, and the Vest Pocket Business Coalition, a coalition of small businesses in Utah.
• In partnership with our allies, reaching out to respected legislative sponsors knowledgeable about financing and commercial real estate.Developing simplified factsheets and letters of support to share with lawmakers to help them understand the benefits of this legislation.

SUCCESS AND NEXT STEPS
Senate Bill 221 passed with near unanimity and was signed by Governor Gary Herbert. In the coming months, Utah Clean Energy will continue working with the coalition of supporters, local municipalities, local businesses, lenders, and commercial real estate groups to help interested jurisdictions develop C-PACE program guidelines and launch C-PACE programs in Utah.

By enacting this modern energy policy and enabling the clean energy market, Utah policymakers have given Utah’s cities and counties, lenders, and commercial property owners a state-of-the-art financing tool to reduce energy waste and drive renewable energy, thereby addressing the energy challenges of today and tomorrow.

Extra!

The Arkansas legislature passed its own PACE act on April 8.

Aruna’s Place, a preschool in Sudbury, Mass., went solar with the help of Sol Solution, a nonprofit that helps groups go solar throughout the state.

Solar Citizen: Building the renewable energy movement from the ground up!

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Solar for Schools

More than 500 K-12 schools in 43 states have installed solar panels, helped by the fact solar panel prices have dropped by more than one-third over the past three years.

Schools find that going solar helps them: (1) save money on utility bills, (2) create educational opportunities, and (3) reduce their carbon footprint.

Some schools install large systems that produce a significant amount of their power, such as the Porterville United School District in California. Porterville installed solar in six schools and expects to reduce energy costs by $44 million over the next 25 years. In Morris County, N.J., the  Morris County Improvement Authority is now installing 3.2 megawatts (MW) of solar on 19 public school and county government buildings.

Other schools choose small demonstration systems, as educational demonstration projects. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has awarded over $2,100,000 in grants to more than 220 schools to install 1 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) demonstration systems. Many schools raise money for their own demonstration projects.

A number of organizations can help your school go solar. The Solar Foundation has established the Brian D. Robertson Memorial Solar School Fund to help schools start a solar project. You can contact them for support on your solar school project.

TOOLS FOR ACTION:  Take Your School Solar

Want to help take your local school solar? Not sure where to start? We can help! Solar Citizen has partnered with Community Power Network to start a Solar-for-Schools working group. Click here to learn more and sign up.  

Join our working group and take your school solar!

The group is for people, like you, who want to install solar on a school. We will meet weekly via phone, and work through the process of going solar together. We’ll help you figure out the best approach for your school, connect you with experts in your area, and support each other through the process.

No experience in solar is necessary! All you need is an interest in taking your school solar. We will help with the rest.

Interested in joining the Solar-for-Schools working group? Click here to sign up. 

RESOURCES:  Learn More

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Solar on Schools Resource GuideThe Solar Foundation and Community Power Network produced a two-page info sheet on solar for schools. It gives a good overview on key issues related to solar on schools. A great guide to help you orient yourself as you begin a project.		HELiOS ProjectThe HELiOS Project is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization committed to reducing fossil fuel use in every K-12 school in California. Their website provides all sorts of resources and they can help your school start a solar project!		Solar for Schools Resource GuideCommunity Power Network has put together a guide to help schools understand the process of going solar. The guide includes information on evaluating your roof, finding an installer, and paying for a system.

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Making the Grade With Clean Energy: Case Studies of California Solar SchoolsEnvironment California produced a report that gives an excellent overview of solar projects in the state. The report also details how students have benefitted from hands-on solar learning opportunities and includes recommendations for policy changes that would support more solar in California schools.		Financing Solar School ProjectsThe National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has produced an excellent report detailing the financial options schools have at their disposal as they go solar. The report explains various approaches and includes templates, signed project documents, and other reference materials for users to download and adapt.		Database of Renewable Energy Lesson PlansThe U.S. Department of Energy has put together an Energy Education program that includes a database of lesson plans, labs, projects and other activities for grades K-12.

SOLAR CITIZEN PARTNERS

The Solar Foundation

The Solar Foundation is a nonprofit working to demonstrate the global benefits of solar energy through research and education. We are on the front lines, catalyzing solar markets, and helping people recognize the value of solar as a clean, renewable energy source that promotes greater use of domestic energy resources.

The HELiOS Project

The HELiOS Project is an all-volunteer organization committed to reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in every K-12 school in California. We help schools develop solar projects to reduce electricity bills without putting pressure on the general fund. Our website is full of information to help you take your school solar!

Source: https://twitter.com/GreenIdeaHouse

Southern California’s first net-zero-energy, zero-combustion home is a project called the “Green Idea House.” This home is located in Hermosa Beach and is a cornerstone case study for Southern California Edison’s Net Zero Energy Initiative, the utility’s program for implementing California Public Utility Commission guidelines that all new residential buildings be net-zero-energy by 2020. This all-electric house is 2100-square feet and generates more green energy on an annual basis than it consumes and burns no fossil fuels, with 6.25 kilowatts of high-performance solar panels from SolarWind. SolarWorld is  the largest U.S. solar manufacturer for more than 35 years, and a host of energy-efficiency and sustainable-climate-control technologies. Two years ago, property owners Robert and Monica Fortunato and their son Carter set out to affordably retrofit their family home into a net-zero-energy, zero-combustion residence using ordinary building techniques and off-the-shelf technology and at no greater cost than standard construction. Energy-efficient architectural design, appliances and lighting have enabled the family to consume 75 percent less energy than they did prior to construction, despite adding 700 square feet to the structure. Moreover, the 26 SolarWorld solar panels on the home’s roof generated about 2,000 kilowatt-hours more electricity than the Fortunatos consumed in the last year, earning the family a several-hundred-dollar credit from Southern California Edison. The “Green Idea House” project received the 2012 Green Leadership Award from Los Angeles County, 2012 Environmental Leadership SEED Award and Build It Green’s Green Point Rated Builder of the Year Award. The Green Idea House is an example of the many things that families, contractors, and homebuilders can do to cut energy consumption and promote more sustainable living.

Source: SolarWorld news release- SolarWorld solar panels power first net-zero-energy, zero-combustion home in Southern California

Source: http://www.circularenergy.com/2013/03/circular-energy-to-donate-complete-solar-installation-to-austin-childrens-shelter/

On April 4th, Circular Energy, a leading full-service solar design and installation firm, unveiled a custom solar energy system they donated to the Austin Children’s Shelter (ACS). The Austin-based firm installed the 10,000-watt solar PV array, consisting of 40 solar panels, on the roof of the ACS gymnasium. Of the campus’ eight buildings, the gymnasium is the largest and has the highest energy usage. This system will give the shelter the opportunity to reinvest the savings into caring for the neglected and suffering children it serves. “Not only will these panels help lower our substantial energy costs, they will also provide a powerful learning opportunity for our residents, volunteers, and staff. The ongoing savings and long-term environmental impact of this gift will give the young people we serve a firsthand lesson in the value of renewable energy,” said Kelly White, CEO of Austin Children’s Shelter. Circular Energy is setting a new standard in the solar industry through exceptional customer experience and community involvement, the company has hosted activities for the children of the shelter to learn about their new solar system and the future of clean energy. “With our abundant solar resources in Texas, we have the power to position ourselves as the world leader in renewable energy for the next one hundred years, just as we have positioned ourselves as the world leader in oil and gas for the past one hundred years,” said Texas Representative Mark Strama. Austin Children’s Shelter and Circular Energy formally launched the Shelter’s solar power system Wednesday, April 3 to commemorate accessible alternative energy in Texas. 

Source: News release- Gift of Solar Unveiled at Austin Children’s Shelter