Posted in clean_energy_blog

http://www.dsireusa.org/documents/Incentives/2011%20HB%201983.pdf

CHAPTER 239An Act to amend and reenact § 56-594 of the Code of Virginia, relating to electric energy; net energymetering.[H 1983]Approved March 18, 2011Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:1. That § 56-594 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:§ 56-594. Net energy metering provisions.A. The Commission shall establish by regulation a program, to begin no later than July 1, 2000, thataffords eligible customer-generators the opportunity to participate in net energy metering. Theregulations may include, but need not be limited to, requirements for (i) retail sellers; (ii) owners and/oroperators of distribution or transmission facilities; (iii) providers of default service; (iv) eligiblecustomer-generators; or (v) any combination of the foregoing, as the Commission determines willfacilitate the provision of net energy metering, provided that the Commission determines that suchrequirements do not adversely affect the public interest.B. For the purpose of this section:"Eligible customer-generator" means a customer that owns and operates, or contracts with otherpersons to own, operate, or both, an electrical generating facility that (i) has a capacity of not more than10 20 kilowatts for residential customers and 500 kilowatts for nonresidential customers unless a utilityelects a higher capacity limit for such a facility; (ii) uses as its total source of fuel renewable energy, asdefined in § 56-576; (iii) is located on the customer's premises and is connected to the customer's wiringon the customer's side of its interconnection with the distributor; (iv) is interconnected and operated inparallel with an electric company's transmission and distribution facilities; and (v) is intended primarilyto offset all or part of the customer's own electricity requirements."Net energy metering" means measuring the difference, over the net metering period, between (i)electricity supplied to an eligible customer-generator from the electric grid and (ii) the electricitygenerated and fed back to the electric grid by the eligible customer-generator."Net metering period" means the 12-month period following the date of final interconnection of theeligible customer-generator's system with an electric service provider, and each 12-month periodthereafter.C. The Commission's regulations shall ensure that the metering equipment installed for net meteringshall be capable of measuring the flow of electricity in two directions, and shall allocate fairly the costof such equipment and any necessary interconnection. An eligible customer-generator's electricalgenerating system shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the NationalElectrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratoriessuch as Underwriters Laboratories. Beyond the requirements set forth in this section, an eligiblecustomer-generator whose electrical generating system meets those standards and rules shall bear thereasonable cost, if any, as determined by the Commission, to (i) install additional controls, (ii) performor pay for additional tests, or (iii) purchase additional liability insurance.D. The Commission shall establish minimum requirements for contracts to be entered into by theparties to net metering arrangements. Such requirements shall protect the customer-generator againstdiscrimination by virtue of its status as a customer-generator, and permit customers that are served ontime-of-use tariffs that have electricity supply demand charges contained within the electricity supplyportion of the time-of-use tariffs to participate as an eligible customer-generator. Notwithstanding thecost allocation provisions of subsection C, eligible customer-generators served on demand charge-basedtime-of-use tariffs shall bear the incremental metering costs required to net meter such customers.E. If electricity generated by an eligible customer-generator over the net metering period exceeds theelectricity consumed by the customer-generator, the customer-generator shall be compensated for theexcess electricity if the entity contracting to receive such electric energy and the customer-generatorenter into a power purchase agreement for such excess electricity. Upon the written request of thecustomer-generator, the supplier that serves the eligible customer-generator shall enter into a powerpurchase agreement with the requesting eligible customer-generator that is consistent with the minimumrequirements for contracts established by the Commission pursuant to subsection D. The power purchaseagreement shall obligate the supplier to purchase such excess electricity at the rate that is provided forsuch purchases in a net metering standard contract or tariff approved by the Commission, unless theparties agree to a higher rate. The eligible customer-generator owns the renewable energy certificatesassociated with its electrical generating facility, however, at the time that the eligible customer-generatorenters into a power purchase agreement with its supplier, the customer-generator shall have a one-time2 of 2option to sell the renewable energy certificates associated with such electrical generating facility to itssupplier and be compensated at an amount that is established by the Commission to reflect the value ofsuch renewable energy certificates. Nothing in this section shall prevent the eligible customer-generatorand the supplier from voluntarily entering into an agreement for the sale and purchase of excesse l e c t r i c i ty or r enewabl e ene rgy c e r t i f i c a t e s a t mutua l ly-agr e ed upon pr i c e s i f the e l igibl ecustomer-generator does not exercise its option to sell its renewable energy certificates to its supplier atCommission-approved prices at the time that the eligible customer-generator enters into a powerpurchase agreement with its supplier. All costs incurred by the supplier to purchase excess electricityand renewable energy certificates from eligible customer-generators shall be recoverable through itsRenewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) rate adjustment clause, if the supplier has aCommission-approved RPS plan. If not, then all costs shall be recoverable through the supplier's fueladjustment clause. For purposes of this section, "all costs" shall be defined as the rates paid to theeligible customer-generator for the purchase of excess electricity and renewable energy certificates andany administrative costs incurred to manage the eligible customer-generator's power purchasea r r angement s . The ne t me t e r ing s t anda rd cont r a c t or t a r i f f sha l l be ava i l abl e to e l igibl ecustomer-generators on a first-come, first-served basis in each electric distribution company's Virginiaservice area until the rated generating capacity owned and operated by eligible customer-generators inthe state reaches one percent of each electric distribution company's adjusted Virginia peak-load forecastfor the previous year, and shall require the supplier to pay the eligible customer-generator for suchexcess electricity in a timely manner at a rate to be established by the Commission.F. Any residential eligible customer-generator who owns and operates, or contracts with otherpersons to own, operate, or both, an electrical generating facility with a capacity that exceeds 10kilowatts shall pay to its supplier, in addition to any other charges authorized by law, a monthlystandby charge. The amount of the standby charge and the terms and conditions under which it isassessed shall be in accordance with a methodology developed by the supplier and approved by theCommission. The Commission shall approve a supplier's proposed standby charge methodology if itfinds that the standby charges collected from all such eligible customer-generators allow the supplier torecover only the portion of the supplier's infrastructure costs that are properly associated with servingsuch eligible customer-generators. Such an eligible customer-generator shall not be liable for a standbycharge until the date specified in an order of the Commission approving its supplier's methodology.2. That the State Corporation Commission shall conduct a proceeding to determine thereasonableness of the methodology for any stand-by charge proposed by an electric utilitypursuant to subsection F of § 56-594 of the Code of Virginia. The Commission shall complete theproceeding by December 1, 2011, for any electric utility that submits, within 30 days following theeffective date of this act, a proposal to assess such a stand-by charge.

Posted in clean_energy_blog

http://www.schottsolar.com/us/news/top-news/article/4th-annual-schott-so/

Survey by Kelton Research finds continued widespread public support for development of solar energy, federal investments in solar, across political spectrum.

WASHINGTON, DC – Americans overwhelmingly support the use and development of solar energy and federal investments in the solar industry, according to a new national poll. These and other findings were reported today in the 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer™, a nationally representative survey conducted annually by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that about nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) think it is important for the United States to develop and use solar power. Support for solar is strong across the political spectrum with 90 percent of Independents, 80 percent of Republicans and 94 percent of Democrats agreeing that it is important for the United States to develop and use solar power.

The survey also found that Americans want federal investments in solar. More than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) support federal tax credits and grants for the solar industry similar to those that traditional sources of energy like oil, natural gas and coal have received for decades. Almost three-quarters of Republicans agree (72 percent), as well as 87 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of Independents.

Furthermore, when asked to select an energy source they would financially support if they were in charge of U.S. energy policy, 39 percent of Americans chose solar over other sources such as natural gas (21 percent), wind (12 percent), nuclear (9 percent) and coal (3 percent). Among Independents, solar is more than twice as popular as any other energy source (43 percent to 20 percent for natural gas).

“In this tough economy, Americans want to see solutions coming from Washington,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “For members of Congress trying to find ways to create jobs, solar is a win-win. Thanks in part to proven policy successes like the 1603 Treasury Program, the solar industry has doubled its workforce in the last two years and now employs more than 100,000 Americans at 5,000 businesses spanning every state. And solar enjoys overwhelming support across all political affiliations – Republicans, Democrats and Independents. It’s clear that solar has the strong support of the American people. Now it needs the support of U.S. policymakers in extending job-creating policies like the 1603 program to make sure solar continues to work for America.”

Despite weeks of news coverage about the bankruptcy of solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, the survey shows that Americans’ support for solar remains strong. In fact, the vast majority of Americans support solar manufacturing in the United States. Eight out of 10 (82 percent) think it is important for the federal government to support U.S. solar manufacturing, and a majority of Independent voters (51 percent) think it is “extremely important.”

The poll also found that Americans prefer to buy solar-made products. A majority of Americans (51 percent) would be more likely to purchase a product if they knew it was made using solar energy. Consumers in the key age demographic of 18 to 44 years old are even more likely to buy solar-made products (61 percent).

One challenge that the solar industry faces is educating the public about how they can become consumers of solar power. Despite the cost of solar modules decreasing by 30 percent since the beginning of 2010 and residential solar leasing models that allow consumers to go solar with no upfront cost, 48 percent of Americans cited cost as their biggest concern with choosing solar energy.

“The fourth annual Solar Barometer shows that Americans overwhelmingly understand the benefits and continue to support solar energy for our country,” said Tom Hecht, President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. “What I find especially encouraging is that eight out of ten people support American solar manufacturing. A growing domestic solar industry will create more jobs and make solar more attractive as a clean energy source. Prices for solar continue to decline and those who currently own solar systems are earning a strong return on their investment. High quality solar energy systems are also extremely reliable, which is why companies like SCHOTT Solar back their modules with warranties of up to 25 years.”

“For the fourth year in a row, an overwhelming majority of Americans agree on the importance of solar power,” said Rachel Bonsignore, Associate Director, Kelton Research. “This year’s survey continues the trend of remarkably consistent support for solar.”

Key Survey Findings:
seia.us/sERklb

Question 1: If you were in charge of U.S. energy policy and could choose to provide financial support in one of the following energy sources during your term in office, which would you choose?
• Thirty-nine percent chose solar, compared to 21 percent for natural gas, 12 percent for wind, 9 percent for nuclear and 3 percent for coal. Among Independents, solar is more than twice as popular as any other energy source (43 percent to 20 percent for natural gas).

Question 2: How important do you think it is for the U.S. to develop and use solar power?
• Nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) think it is “extremely important” or “somewhat important.” 
• Ninety percent of Independents, 80 percent of Republicans and 94 percent of Democrats agree with this statement.

Question 3: How important do you think it is for the federal government to support U.S. solar manufacturing right now?
• Eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) think it is “extremely important” or “somewhat important.”
• A majority of Independent voters (51 percent) think it is “extremely important.”

Question 4: Would you be more, less or about as likely to buy a product that you knew was made using solar energy?
• A majority of Americans (51 percent) would be more likely to buy solar products.
• Sixty-one percent of consumers in the key age demographic of 18 to 44 years old would be more likely.

Question 5: Which of the following best describes the biggest concern you would have with choosing solar energy?
• Cost was the most common concern (48 percent), followed by reliability (25 percent), uncertainty about the benefits (9 percent) and aesthetics (3 percent).

Question 6: The federal government currently gives subsidies, such as federal tax credits and grants, to traditional sources of energy, such as oil, natural gas and coal. How likely would you be to support similar subsidies for solar energy?
• More than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) would be “extremely likely” or “somewhat likely” to support federal investments in solar. Seventy-two percent of Republicans support federal investments, as well as 87 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of Independents.

Methodology:
The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 2011, using an email invitation and an online survey of 1,000 Americans. SCHOTT Solar, one of the trend-setting manufacturers of solar energy technologies, and the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) commissioned the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

Background Resources:

More in-depth analysis of the 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer: seia.us/sERklb

Public Opinion Strategies/FM3 poll on voter awareness of Solyndra and its implications on the clean energy debate: www.eenews.net/assets/2011/10/03/document_daily_01.pdf

Public Perceptions of Solar Water Heating Systems report (Oct. 17, 2011): www.seia.org/cs/news_detail

See how solar is working for America in all 50 states: www.SolarWorksforAmerica.org

The solar industry is on pace for a record growth year in 2011. Learn about the industry’s dynamic growth through the first half of the year: www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/Solar_Energy_Facts_Q2_2011.pdf

Find out solar energy’s real story: www.seia.org/galleries/pdf/Behind_The_Solyndra_Headlines.pdf

Further information:

SCHOTT North America
Matthew Kraft
555 Taxter Road
10523 Elmsford
USA NY

Posted in clean_energy_blog

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9b802fb6582d4999b322c6c5c88d25e2/VA--Solar-Power-Charge/

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia regulators say the state's largest electric utility can add a charge for large-scale residential solar customers.

In a ruling issued Wednesday, the State Corporation Commission approved the so-called standby charge for Dominion Virginia Power customers with solar systems of 10 kilowatt hours or more.

The commission didn't give Dominion all it sought. Commissioners said the company can recover transmission and distribution costs, but not generation costs.

Dominion has estimated the standby charge would total approximately $60 a month and apply to a handful of customers.

The Solar Industries Association opposed the charge, calling it punitive for Virginians who rely on solar power.

The Sierra Club's Virginia chapter echoed that claim and called the charge excessive.

Posted in clean_energy_blog

http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2011/kw47/us-state-of-virginia-authorizes-charges-for-owners-of-pv-plants-larger-than-10-kw.html

Any residential customer of Dominion Virginia Power who owns and operates certain net-metered electric generation systems of 10 kilowatts or larger will pay a monthly standby charge as authorized by state law during the 2011 session of the General Assembly.

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has approved a standby charge methodology that allows the company to recover its transmission and distribution costs since those customers and operators of i.e. solar photovoltaic (PV) systems still make use of electric grid.

Commission statement: Avoided cost benefits provided by customer-generators are insufficient to pay for their proportionate share of the grid

"The grid must be available to deliver power to net-metered customer generators when their own solar or other forms of generation are not producing electricity and to return any excess power produced by eligible customer-generators’ facilities", SCC explains.

In approving the methodology, the Commission stated in its final order that “the evidence in this record indicates that any avoided cost benefits provided by customer-generators, at least in terms of the transmission and distribution grid, are insufficient to pay for their proportionate share of the grid.”

Commission rejects standby charge

The Commission did not approve the company’s request for a generation component of the standby charge. Although the company wanted that component to be set at USD zero for now, the Commission directed the company file a future request that evaluates both the generation costs and benefits associated with serving eligible customer-generators.

The Commission also encourages the consideration and adoption of alternative methodologies in subsequent proceedings that could mitigate the standby charge by weighing the potential avoided costs and benefits to the company from having net-metered customer-generators selling energy and capacity back into the company’s system.

2011-11-26| Courtesy: Virginia State Corporation Commission | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at:
www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html

Posted in clean_energy_blog

http://www.sma-america.com/en_US/news-information/current-news/news/news/1028.html

Sunny Boy HF-US Now Shipping

SMA America is now shipping the Sunny Boy HF-US line of high-frequency, residential solar inverters. SMA’s most installer-friendly models to date, the UL-Certified Sunny Boy 2000HF-US, 2500HF-US and 3000HF-US grid-tied inverters feature a slim enclosure, reduced weight, modern graphic display and industry-leading CEC efficiencies.

Sunny Boy HF models are ideal for 2-3kW solar arrays and offer CEC-weighted efficiencies of 96.5 percent (Sunny Boy 2500HF-US and 3000HF-US) and 97 percent (Sunny Boy 2000HF-US). They measure 14 inches across and feature a nearly 45 percent reduction in weight, making them easier to handle and allowing them to be mounted in between wall studs. Sunny Boy HF inverters also contain an innovative plug-in grounding system that allows for quick field configurability for modules requiring positive grounding.

“Solar installers and system designers expressed the need for an inverter that made installation even easier, yet offered improved advantages like higher efficiency, faster field configurability for positive ground modules and wireless communication,” said Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “SMA is proud to be the first to offer a solution for these challenges with the Sunny Boy HF, built specifically for the U.S. solar market.”

Installation is simplified by automatic grid voltage detection and an ergonomic integrated DC disconnect. The Sunny Boy HF’s wide input DC voltage ranges of 175–600 Volts (Sunny Boy 2000HF-US) and 220-600 Volts (Sunny Boy 2500HF-US and 3000HF-US) provide added system design flexibility and improved performance for smaller arrays.

Additional features include SMA’s patented OptiCool™ active temperature management system, OptiTrac MPP tracking and rugged outdoor-rated enclosures, which result in unmatched power production and reliability.

Installers can utilize SMA’s Sunny Design software to configure a PV system with the Sunny Boy HF. Once the project is complete, SMA’s advanced data collection and communication devices, such as the Sunny WebBox data logger and Sunny Beam wireless desktop monitor, can be used to help installers track system performance. Data can be transmitted by cable or through the integrated Bluetooth® wireless communication system to the SMA Sunny Portal, the world’s largest Web platform for monitoring, managing and presenting photovoltaic systems. The Sunny Boy HF’s large, modern graphic display also provides an easy-to-read summary of performance information.

An optional Flush Mount Kit can also be used for hanging the Sunny Boy HF in between wall studs, allowing for pre-installation in new home communities where solar is offered.

Sunny Boy HF inverters have standard 10-year warranties, which can be extended up to 20 years.

About SMA
The SMA Group, with sales of 1.9 billion euros in 2010, is the world market leader for solar inverters, a component that lies at the heart of every solar power system. Its headquarters is situated in Niestetal near Kassel and it also has 17 foreign subsidiaries situated on four continents. In 2010, the Corporate Group employed over 5,000 persons (including temporary staff). SMA produces a wide spectrum of inverter types, the optimal inverter for each type of solar module used and offers all the power classes required for solar power systems. The product portfolio includes both inverters for grid-connected solar power systems and stand-alone systems. Since 2008, the parent company SMA Solar Technology AG has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (S92) and in the TecDAX. Over the past few years, SMA has received several awards for its outstanding performance as an employer and lately reached first place in the federal “Great Place to Work” competition. www.SMA-America.com

Posted in clean_energy_blog

Redskins for Solar!  Over the last year, the Skins owner has installed over 8,000 solar panels to power the stadium.  This is enough power to the building completely during non-game days and a portion for home-game days.  They are partnered with NRG Energy, a New Jersey company.   I went to the Cardinals game when they did the turn-on ceremony.  We walked around the parking lot, definitely a lot of panels!  It also provides shaded parking, so an added perk for those willing to pay to park there.  Then, as we walked towards our nose-bleed seats (where the real fans go), we looked up and saw the upper level of our ramp was covered with panels as well.  I commend Dan Snyder in using renewable energy, even if he went to New Jersey for the company.  

Posted in clean_energy_blog

Interested in going solar?  Is your home in a good location for solar?  This is the first question you need to ask yourself.  Even the most avid solar proponents can’t utilize the sun for electricity if their property is completely shaded.  A good location for a solar electric system is a roof or strip of land that has southern exposure and isn’t shaded by trees or other obstacles between the hours of 9am and 4pm.    The size of the system depends on your energy consumption and your budget.  Look at a past electric bill to get an idea of how much electricity your household uses.  Most bills even have previous months listed.  You’ll want to get an idea what you use for an entire year in order to get the best estimate for system size.    Budget, like land or roof space, is a prime limiting factor in sizing a system and must be thoroughly considered when deciding on whether to go solar.  Since PV sizing is flexible, Shockoe Solar can work with almost any budget and property size.  PV can be used to offset a percentage of your energy usage—it doesn’t necessarily have to provide 100% of your power.  A great advantage to solar is that it is modular.  This means more solar panels can be added to the array in the future.  We have had customers install their array in stages as they can afford it.   Shockoe Solar can give you a good estimate of system size and probable cost with just an address and your yearly energy consumption.  Contact us to discuss a PV system for you.

Posted in clean_energy_blog

Enphase Microinverter-Based Solar Systems 45 to 70 Times More Reliable Westinghouse Solar, SunEdison field data point to uptime benefits of microinverters Petaluma, Calif. – June 1, 2011 – Enphase Energy today released field data demonstrating the reliability of its microinverter technology. The data, collected separately and independently by Westinghouse Solar and SunEdison over a twoyear period from 2008 – 2010, show the reliability of microinverters is 45 to 70 times greater than traditional central inverters. This level of field-proven reliability allows installers and system owners to benefit from the exceptional system uptime that the Enphase Microinverter System provides. “Reliability and quality are core to what we do at Enphase. We’ve incorporated the experience of having sold and supported more than 750,000 units into our manufacturing process and new product designs,” said Paul Nahi, CEO of Enphase Energy. “This empirical data from Westinghouse illustrates the reliability of our Microinverter System and the value that our estimated 99.8 percent uptime delivers to our customers.” Enphase follows an end-to-end process, from development through manufacture, to ensure the reliability and durability of its microinverters. Each microinverter uses carefully selected components and is designed so individual components are stressed well within specification. Finally, units undergo a multi-stage testing process at the factory to minimize material or workmanship defects throughout the manufacturing process. “Our leading AC solar solutions leverage the reliability of Enphase microinverters,” said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Westinghouse Solar. “Our AC modules, with built-in Enphase microinverters, and integrated racking, wiring and grounding reduce field assembled components by 80 percent and labor by 50 percent. Field data has shown that these AC systems are more reliable, provide a higher ROI to the system owner and reduce on-going system maintenance costs.”SunEdison also recently presented on inverter reliability during a technical workshop at Sandia National Labs in January 2011, and reported similar reliability data for their commercial systems using microinverters. About Westinghouse Solar: (Nasdaq:WEST) Westinghouse Solar is a designer and manufacturer of solar power systems. In 2007, Westinghouse Solar pioneered the concept of integrating the racking, wiring and grounding directly into the solar panel. This revolutionary solar panel, originally branded "Andalay", quickly won industry acclaim. In 2009, the company again broke new ground with the first integrated AC solar panel, reducing the number of components for a rooftop solar installation by approximately 80 percent and lowering labor costs by approximately 50 percent. This first AC panel has become the industry's most widely installed AC solar panel. Award-winning Westinghouse Solar Power Systems provide the best combination of safety, performance and reliability, while backed by the proven quality of the Westinghouse name. For more information on Westinghouse Solar, visit www.westinghousesolar.com. About Enphase Energy Enphase Energy provides solar microinverter systems for residential and commercial markets. The company offers a system that includes high-efficiency power conversion, communications and web-based monitoring and analysis. The systems increase energy production, improve system reliability, and simplify design, installation and management. Founded in 2006 and based in Northern California, the company is led by veterans from the solar and high tech industries and backed by industry leaders. For more information about Enphase, please visit www.enphase.com. Contact Christine Bennett PR Manager, Enphase Energy This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it +1-707-763-4784

http://enphase.com/wp-uploads/enphase.com/2011/07/Enphase-Press-Release-Reliability-FINAL.pdf