Updates on our Solar-FIT For Sunshine State petition: 163 signatures strong. We need more! Please help us to spread more sunshine by signing this petition and sharing it with others. It is our shared responsibility to move toward the renewable energy age and Sunshine is the cleanest, healthiest, and least war-prone way to go! Thank you. ________________________________________________________________________________________
got a message from Solar Impulse — the solar airplane that is flying across the United States right now. The plane is carrying a message encouraging governments, CEOs, and other decision-makers to support and deploy clean technologies. Because I signed up, my name is going to be carried in the cockpit of the plane. You should add your name too — the more names the plane carries, the stronger the clean technology message will be on the ground. So far, over 16,000 Friends are virtual passengers in the cockpit. You can add your name by clicking here — it only takes 30 seconds. Thanks! sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker _______________________________________________________________________________________
Remember at the end of March this year I wrote a post on “First U.S. City Requiring Solar (Lancaster, CA). We Need More Mayors Like Mayor Parris!“. Well, nearly 400 miles away, in Sonoma County, the liberal stronghold of fewer than 8,000 residents in the city of Sebastopol, CA four days ago (on Tuesday) became California’s second city to require that all new buildings and additions (and the first to require residential and commercial buildings) be outfitted with solar PV to produce solar energy.
The system would have to provide 2 watts of power per square foot of insulated building area or offset 75 percent of the building’s annual electric load. In situations where solar power is impractical (such as shaded areas) new buildings may use other energy alternatives or pay a fee. Councilman Patrick Slayter, who co-authored the measure with Mayor Michael Kyes, remarked that the council’s action was “on the low end of the scale (of controversy), which is welcome.” In honor of Sebastopol, CA ‘s status as being the First City to Require All New Residential and Commercial Buildings to be Outfitted With Solar PV, I’d like to share a video on Sebastopol’s Link to its Past, below:
Carrie Cullen Hitt, senior vice president of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association says she thinks mandated solar power is a trend that will likely grow but that people shouldn’t worry that a wave of change will happen in their neighborhoods anytime soon. California is already a solar power friendly state, ranking the third state with the most solar jobs per capita in USA by the Solar Foundation, and has more solar workers than it has actors.
Let’s hope that there will soon be a third and more cities joining this movement so we will be able to truly call this A Solar Trend….let’s hope this will not be a trend only confined to the state of California…
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments and suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
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Please help us to spread more sunshine by joining us at Solar-FIT For Sunshine State! Tell your state legislators to support Solar !
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Did you know that North Carolina Senate Finance Committee recently underhandedly passed a bill out of the Committee that would repeal the state’s successful renewable energy standard (Senate Bill 3)? Currently, only 13 states within USA have not yet adopted Renewable Energy Standard or Goal, according to Jan. 2012 report by North Carolina Center at North Carolina State University. On August 20, 2007, with the signing of Session Law 2007-397 (Senate Bill 3), North Carolina became the first state in the Southeast to adopt a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS). Under this new law, investor-owned utilities in North Carolina will be required to meet up to 12.5% of their energy needs through renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures and rural electric cooperatives and municipal electric suppliers are subject to a 10% REPS requirement by 2021. On February 29, 2008, the Commission issued an Order Adopting Final Rules implementing Senate Bill 3. It was the first state in the Southeast to adopt such a standard-Senate Bill 3 passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. As a result of Senate Bill 3, clean energy companies have generated billions in revenue and created thousands of in-state jobs while reducing pollution and saving ratepayers money.
Today, solar/renewable energy is under assault. Organizations such as Heartland institute and the American Legislative Council, or ALEC, and Koch-backed Grover Norquist have been lobbying against renewable energy policy and pushing for “model legislation” to undo these standards. House Bill 298 or Senate Bill 365 , the “Affordable and Reliable Energy Act,” was introduced by the known ALEC member Representative Mike Hager and aims to fully repeal the energy standard. House Bill 298 is designed to stymie the growth of solar development in our country. I think it is done in such an underhanded way (instead of counting votes by show of hands, North Carolina Senators Bill Rabon & Bob Rucho had senators shout out their votes…wait a minute….even when “No” sounded louder and yet the motion still carried/passed….) , caught on video, below:
Senate Bill 3 has made North Carolina an emerging market for solar, wind, and methane gas production, created jobs and will ultimately save utility ratepayers money. Senator Josh Stein D- Wake commented that clean energy investors will avoid North Carolina if the Senate Bill 3 is tinkered with. North Carolina now has over 1,100 clean energy companies that have contributed $3.7 billion in annual gross revenue, leading to net gain of 21,162 jobs in five years. Furthermore, the renewable energy standard has lowered residential bills and allowing these savings more than doubled within a decade, with expected savings of up to $173 million to ratepayers. North Carolina is expected to move from fifth to fourth in the nation in solar energy development this year. “It’s an extraordinary success story that there’s an industry that hardly existed several years ago,” said Michael Shore, CEO of FLS Energy in Asheville.
Voters of North Carolina, Be Wary! Your rights and democratic process are being eroded. Your economic future is being stolen from right under your nose. If you don’t do something now and/or in the near future, there won’t be much of a future left. Do not let your Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs be stolen from you! Voters everywhere, Be Wary! Without constant vigilance, there won’t be much of an economic prosperity or future for North Carolina or for any of the states within United States of America.
I’d like to end with my usual “~have a bright and sunny day~”, but I fear that there won’t be much more bright and sunny days if voters of North Carolina and elsewhere do not wake up and protect your/our democratic process from becoming eroded.
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Thank you, petition signers and your comments. I am happy to report that we now have reached 153 signatures for the Solar-FIT For Sunshine State petition! I will keep you posted on our progress. Now, I’d like to share some of the comments received, below:
Let Our Florida Sunshine Through! Solar-FIT For Sunshine State!
This is seriously a no brainer. (Gail Mingo)
I have been investigating this for my next home in Florida. (Cari K. Wood)
It seems inane that Florida will do nothing to take advantage of its most prevalant and cheapest resource, solar energy! (Richard Ewald)
Solar! Let’s do it, Florida!!! (Kathryn Grindle)
I have been in the environmental/alternative energy field for 35 years. I have seen solar work in NEW ENGLAND! IT should be on every house in every state and sell electricity back to the utility company. We all proved it works, but big oil brings the profits, so we know who to vote for next time. Vote right. BTW, where are the natural gas cars? We used them in the state government in Ohio 20 years ago, what is taking the rest of the country so long to get on board? BIG OIL. Florida especially should have solar on every home and more insulation, better windows, better building, better codes and more efficient in every respect. This brings jobs that the YOUNG people need. Young people are flocking out of the state and taking their tax dollars with them. How sad. I miss them./ Start using your head, not adding to your already HUGE bank accounts. It is all about money and greed. You work 6 months a year, get almost free health care and let the others suffer. at least give us cheap energy. Dr. Janine (Janine Secord)
WE NEED THIS ASAP!!!! THE NEWS ABOUT FRACKING AND OPEN MINING OF “OIL SOIL” IS TERRIFYING!!!!! THAT IS PLANET TERRORISM!! THE SUNSHINE STATE NEEDS TO USE THAT SUNSHINE, NOW!!! LET’S GET MOVING!! (Judith Babcock)
Please push for solar energy… Initially I grew up in Citrus County and there was always worry of Nuclear Leaks… and now with the Nuclear Plant Offline (Indefinitely) Solar Energy make the most sense… Other countries are doing it, lets be a leading state in this country and push for solar energy. Even if we could offer a solar panel per household, to heat our water, it would save Floridians millions per year. Please push Solar Energy for our future, our children’s future, and generations to come. Oil, Coal, Natural Gas all emit pollution… when will we learn this is having a negative effect on our environment. (Thomas Sprouse)
iTS COMMON SENSE, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA, WE NEED INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR ENERGY SUPPORT SOLAR-FIT. (Alexander McDevitt)
I’ve been saying FOREVER that the sunshine state would be wise to promote solar in a government led way, like in Germany, for instance. Berkley, CA had a great initiative to put solar on people’s houses with a small investment price and then tack the rest onto their tax bill so the money is paid out by the homeowner for the next 10 years. This would create THOUSANDS of jobs–and of course, we want to build the panels in our state, too. Clean manufacturing!—we have a surplus so now’s the time to think LONG TERM!! (Dr. & Ms. Randall & Kelley Hewitt)
WE HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR THIS AS IT IS A NO BRAINER. HELLO !!!!!! WAKE UP !!! (Roshelle McDevitt)
Why do we lag behind so much of the world in yet ANOTHER area? (Karen W. LeBoutillier)
Yes, Florida needs to use the sun for its energy. (Ligia Perez)
We need solar energy in Florida! (Theresa Zieber)
I have 2 systems using the FIT. A fantastic deal for me, the electric company, and for FL. It will help us get off the dirty fuels and into clean energy. Put folks to work making the panels in FL as well. (Martha Tod)
It’s a no-brainer to harnes as much of our abundant sunshine for energy use! Please enact this policy asap! (James Griffin)
It’s way past time!(Kitt Lough)
Please consider incorporating the FIT program into the Florida market. Sustainable energy resources are so important to providing diverse energy options for this market. Thank you. (Sharon Lee)
I have solar panels for my hot water tank and they are amazing. We all need to tap more free energy from out sun and stop depleting irreplaceable resources. (Beth)
The sun’s free energy is “Mother Nature’s ” greatest gift. Encouraging solar utilization through proven, effective policies such as FIT’s is the pathway for economic development, job creation, and energy independence in our state. With your leadership, Florida will assume it’s rightful roll as America’s leader in solar development, manufacturing, and deployment. Let’s send a message to the rest of our great nation, and the world that Florida is indeed ..the “Sunshine State”. (Bill Gallagher)
Please support solar energy (Rosemary G. Sexton)
I am so glad other people are interested in solar power in Florida. It won’t answer all of our energy problems but it’s a start. (Cynthia Strait)
Be sure to sharethis petitionwith your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, fellow Floridians. It’s about time for Florida’s Sun To Truly Shine! Thank you for all of your supports and please help us to get more signatures! I will keep you abreast of our progress.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered & posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Your comments and suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
When you call, you don’t need to say a lot—just reiterate the main message of the petition, which is:
“Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) have proven to be the world’s most successful policy for delivering large quantities of renewable energy generation quickly and cheaply. It will help to develop vibrant solar energy industry in the state of Florida that will create local jobs, economic prosperity, and better preparations for hurricanes by using our abundant Sunshine. Our state can encourage a rapid increase in the production and use of solar energy by adopting Feed-In Tariff (FIT)/CLEAN policy that provides incentives to homeowners, businesses, utility companies, and investors to make the switch from fossil fuels to renewable/ clean energy. Our state legislatures should enact this policy as quickly as possible to create a cleaner, healthier, and wealthier future for our communities. Please join us in asking our state legislatures in helping us to reach for our sunshine!”
Then, help me keep track of how many calls have been made by clicking here:
Every where I go, there are folks worried about the rising cost of fuel, CO2 emissions, global warming, and depleting fossil fuel. My friends from Germany commented that there are far more installations of solar panels in their countries (with less sunshine) than here in Florida (the Sunshine State). The reason is: they have FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) for renewable energy and we, the Floridians, do not.
That’s why I created a petition to The Florida State House, The Florida State Senate, and Governor Rick Scott, which says:
“Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) have proven to be the world’s most successful policy for delivering large quantities of renewable energy generation quickly and cheaply. It will help to develop vibrant solar energy industry in the state of Florida that will create local jobs, economic prosperity, and better preparations for hurricanes by using our abundant Sunshine. Our state can encourage a rapid increase in the production and use of solar energy by adopting Feed-In Tariff (FIT)/CLEAN policy that provides incentives to homeowners, businesses, utility companies, and investors to make the switch from fossil fuels to renewable/ clean energy.
Our state legislatures should enact this policy as quickly as possible to create a cleaner, healthier, and wealthier future for our communities. Please join us in asking our state legislatures in helping us to reach for our sunshine!”
Will you sign my petition? Click here to add your name:
SEIA Joins BlueGreen Alliance in Calling for Renewed Efforts to Create Jobs WASHINGTON, DC — Calling job creation in America a “shared goal,” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today joined other trade associations, labor unions, environmental groups and business and community advocates in pushing for new efforts to address climate change, rebuild America’s aging infrastructure and foster innovation. Members of the BlueGreen Alliance, which represents more than 15 million members and supporters nationwide, held a press conference today on Capitol Hill to discuss ways to jumpstart job creation. One important way, they said, was to dramatically expand the use of renewable energy, including solar. “Today, solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, providing good-paying jobs for more than 119,000 American workers,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “Over the past five years, the U.S. solar energy industry has experienced sustained growth
Solar Energy Industry Growth
thanks to rising demand, falling costs and new financing options. Since 2008, the amount of solar powering our homes, businesses and military bases has increased six-fold – from 1,100 megawatts to more than 7,700 megawatts today, which is enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes.” Resch went on to say, “Some of this growth is attributed to the fact that the cost of a solar system has dropped by nearly 40 percent over the past two years, making solar more affordable than ever for consumers. If we want to create new jobs, foster innovation and ensure prosperity for future generations of Americans, we must expand our commitment to using clean, renewable energy sources in the U.S. and around the world.” In a related development, The Solar Foundation (TSF), an independent nonprofit solar research and education organization, today announced the release of its State Solar Jobs Map (www.solarstates.org), a web-based tool providing the first-ever solar jobs numbers for each of the 50 states.
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Did you know that a few cloudy days don’t hurt us as much as poor policies? Please allow me to share part of a letter/email I’ve just received from SEIA’s Carrie Hitt, below:
Dear Susan Sun, Today, the Solar Foundation released their State Solar Jobs Map, a web-based tool providing the first-ever highly credible solar jobs numbers for each of the fifty states. . These new state numbers build upon TSF’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012, which found that the U.S. solar energy industry employs 119,016 Americans and that solar employment grew 13.2 percent over the prior year, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the country. The interactive map features detailed profiles with state jobs figures, rankings of industry subsectors by employment, key state policies supporting solar, and much more. Check it out. See how your state compares and show off your home state on Facebook! Share this image on Facebook and help us spread the word! The top ten solar jobs states all have public support and smart policies that spur solar development, including renewable portfolio standards
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I found out that:
Sunshine State (FL) has a rank of 28 for Solar Jobs per Capita among all states of USA
SOLAR LEADERS: CA, AZ, NJ, MA, PA top 5 states for solar employment http://solarstates.org
STUDY SHOWS: Strong solar energy jobs market not limited to Sunbelt http://solarstates.org
Every where I go, there are folks worried about the rising cost of fuel, CO2 emissions, global warming, and depleting fossil fuel. My visiting friends from Denmark and Germany commented that there are far more installations of solar panels in their countries (with less sunshine) than here in Florida (the Sunshine State).
Solar Panels under Florida Sun
The reason is: they have FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) for renewable energy and we, the Floridians, do not. So, I will do my part, and I hope those of you out there who are residents of Florida, will also do yours.
Let's Spread Our Glorious Florida Sunshine!
Please be sure to visit our tomorrow’s post: April 19, 2013, at www.sunisthefuture.net, for the opportunity for us to collaborate toward a brighter future for Florida ! Let’s move up from rank 28!
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
Especially for those of you residing in the state of Florida, please note: There is now a great opportunity to make going solar easier in Florida. The SB1064, will help to Stop Taxing Sunshine in the Sunshine State! SB1064/HB277 would provide property tax abatement for residential solar installations. This insures that when homeowners make solar investments to bring their utility bills down, their property taxes won’t go up.
“Not only does this make great business sense, but Florida’s voters have already approved it. These bills simply implement a ballot initiative passed in 2008 — it’s the will of the people, albeit a bit overdue.” noted by Adam Browning+ The Vote Solar Team at www.votesolar.org . This bill has passed the House but failed in the Senate the past few years. Florida needs your help –Can you take action now to tell your Senator not to tax the sun?
We will be looking forward to some updates on/after Wednesday, April 17, 2013, after the possible committee hearing regarding SB1064.
It is an exciting decade to be living in! Fellow Floridians, let’s Go Solar!
Sun Peeking Through The Cloud, Ready To Shine (Photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
I am very pleased to find out about President Obama’s effort in creating the “Energy Security Trust” in a unique way. In one of his weekly addresses (this one took place on March 16, 2013, in Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Argonne National Laboratory, aerial view, creative commons
), he discussed the need to harness American energy in order to reduce our dependence on oil and make the United States a magnet for new jobs. He highlights his all-of-the-above approach to American energy, including a proposal to establish an Energy Security Trust, which invests in research in new technologies that will help shift our cars and trucks off of oil. This trust would be funded by royalties from oil and gas operations on federal lands and in the Gulf of Mexico. Below, is a clip of President Obama’s weekly address on this particular topic:
Based on the fact that Sun Is The Future graced the cover of slashdot.org when we covered solar car race, I trust that you’ve enjoyed our World Solar Challenge and American Solar Challenge coverage in the past. To jostle your memory, recall these links:
So, students, researchers, scientists, and engineers in solar industry, let’s work toward a future for more cost effective Solar Cars ! For a taste of what future solar cars might look like….
Take a look at an example of Solar Car (Iowa State University's Hyperion during ASC2012, photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Oregon State University's solar car at American Solar Challenge 2012 (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
University of MN's solar car of American Solar Challenge 2012 (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
A look of the German Hochshule Bochum Solar Car Team BO GT of Veolia World Solar Challenge 2011 (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Tafe SA's Solar Spirit of Australia during World Solar Challenge 2011(photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments and suggestions are welcomed below or privately at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Being a resident of the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida, I would love to see greater spread of solar installations (for the sake of cleaner, healthier, less war-proned planet earth and creation of local jobs) and be able to build a solar farm for future generations in Florida some day. These are some of the main motive forces (in addition to memory of my father) behind my embarking on the journey of Sun Is The Future. I personally feel strong and urgent enough about the issues of energy-pollution-climate change that I have taken sabbatical from teaching university/college math to devote my time into educating general public about solar energy. Along this route of sharing and discovery, I’ve come to realize that the most important driving forces behind solar installations any/every where on planet earth are policy and economics. For this reason, I’ve traveled (with my technical supporter and hubby Michael Nunamaker) to our state capitol, Tallahassee, on April 4, 2013, to see our Senator Geraldine F. Thompson, who proposed the renewable energy bill, SB 0498. We would have loved to travel to Tallahassee to meet with other solar advocates in March, but my March/Spring allergy delayed this trip. This is the first time in my life EVER that I have personally scheduled for an appointment with a State Senator concerning any legislation! Naturally, during the drive toward Tallahassee, I tried to mentally prepare myself with a short introductory speech, below:
Thank you for agreeing to meet with us on April 4, 2013, at the Senate Office Building to discuss the SB 0498. My name is Susan Sun Nunamaker, next to me is my technical support and husband Michael Nunamaker. We are here representing www.sunisthefuture.net . I started www.sunisthefuture.net in 2011 as an educational site, advocating solar energy;then recruited Michael in 2012 for technical support. As the site has reached viewers/readers from 160 different countries across the globe, we’ve imbued ourselves in learning, researching, and comparatively analyzing renewable energy policies from different countries. So, we’d like to offer our input for any of your current or future renewable or solar energy bills.
Since we are strong proponents for solar energy, we’re very pleased to find that you are introducing the renewable energy bill, SB 0498.
Regarding SB 0498, its strength lies in the fact that it is clean and simple. However, it would be even stronger if:
The contract duration will be of 20-year term rather than 10-year term.
The feed-in rate will not be fixed but subject to periodic re-evaluation by the Public Utility Commission depending on grid penetration and cost of solar (e.g.Germany now reassesses its feed-in rate on a monthly basis, much more frequently than in the earlier years). This type of periodic reassessments would help to avoid problems that occurred in Spain or Czechoslovakia, where the market became over-heated, resulting from overly generous feed-in rate that was not reassessed frequently enough.
We hope you will be taking an interest in some issues in future bills, separately:
Streamline the permitting process of solar PV and solar thermal so to reduce the cost and amount of time in completing the process. Residents at Broward County of Florida are now able to get a solar energy system permit online in just half an hour;please refer to Jefferery Halsey, Broward County of Florida’s Director of Pollution Prevention, Remediation, and Air Quality Division during the video clip below, at our Feb. 22, 2013 post of Sun Is The Future: http://sunisthefuture.net/?m=201302223. Streamlining the permitting process would help to reduce costs for government and therefore be welcomed by both Democrats and Republicans.
It seems feasible to introduce regulation to require solar thermal (solar hot water heating systems) when/where it is already a foregone conclusion that this would be an economically feasible approach in building design. Perhaps it is time to start the discussion in considering implementing this as part of the building code.
Senator Thompson, we here at Sun Is The Future of http://www.sunisthefuture.net would be happy to assist with any future research or gathering of information and material concerning solar energy or effective renewable energy policy for the state of Florida.
Respectfully,
sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker & Michael Nunamaker
This is the first time for us to visit Tallahassee;it is a beautiful city and state capitol, full of the Southern charm, with swaying Spanish moss adhering to majestically aged trees.
State Capitol of Florida, at Tallahassee, 2013, photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker
With the help of Legislative Aides Roosevelt Holmes III
Legislative Aide Roosevelt Holme III, photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker
and Dan Rogers,
Legislative Aide Dan Rogers, photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker
we not only managed to present our findings to Senator Geraldine Thompson, but learned a great deal about the legislative process. Even though it is a very slow process that is often more reactionary rather than precautionary, we are provided with many more contact names and information that will hopefully help to reach our cause of seeing more effective renewable/solar energy policies implemented in our beautiful Sunshine State of Florida. Hopefully, more effective solar/renewable energy policy’s implementation will occur soon enough for the officer standing next to the Great Seal of The State of Florida, right below (yes, we found out that he wants to build a solar home/house in the near future too! ).
Senator Geraldine Thompson (L), Susan Sun Nunamaker (middle), Michael Nunamaker (R), photographed by Roosevelt Holmes III
Officer standing next to The Great Seal of The State of Florida wants to build a solar home/house too ! Photographed by Susan Sun Nunamaker
~have a bright and sunny day~
written and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
any of your comments or suggested will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Georgia legislature just introduced a new bill, HB 657, the Rural Georgia Economic Recovery and Solar Resource Act. This new bill was introduced by Rep. Rusty Kidd (l) late in the session so that lawmakers can study it and think about it for future sessions. Under the proposed legislation, Georgia’s Public Service Commission could allow a solar energy provider operate solar facilities and sell the electricity to Georgia Power, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. It’s about rural solar generation and distribution. However, there is a catch: a “community solar provider” must be certified by the Public Service Commission (PSC) instead of just setting up in business as in most states, and the PSC could certify only one state-wide monopoly;the summary in the front says “an independent community solar provider” as in only one, but the body of the bill says “any”. The bill requires the PSC to study changes in retail rates, but does not require timely public posting of who buys and sells which types of energy at which prices;nevertheless, it’s a good start. HB 657 is clean and simple;it’s just about solar energy (unlike HB 503, for Renewable Portfolio Standards, which includes biomass as a renewable energy source.) Perhaps after there will have been enough installations the benefits of solar will become more obvious and the PSC will certify a lot of community solar providers, including house and business rooftop solar. The main portion of the HB 657 is in Section 1. Section 2, 3, and 4 says community solar provider shall be considered as a customer generator, with energy flows measured the same way, and rates and quantities set the same way. Here is the text of the bill.
The bill would allow third-party ownership of solar in the Peach State, where Southern Co. subsidiary, Georgia Power has had exclusive rights to sell and produce power for 40 years. The legislation would benefit Georgia Solar Utilities Inc. The company is working on developing an 80-megawatt array near Milledgeville. In September of 2012, Georgia Solar Utilities Inc. said it plans to develop a 2-gigawatt portfolio of projects in the state. HB 657 would help to facilitate all of this while staying within the bounds of Georgia’s Territorial Act, which allows Georgia Power its sweeping range throughout the state. The bill has wary support from the Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA). The bill will make it easier for home and business owners in Georgia to go solar, according to Greentech Media’s Adam James. “For starters, the statute clears roadblocks like interconnection and grid access for generating assets, and the entire program is on an opt-in basis,” he writes. He says that competitive bidding will help create market incentives there to help drive down soft costs. “Since PV and solar farms are covered under the statute, neighborhood homes in Atlanta could have solar on the roof while unused fields in the country can host 30-megawatt solar farms.”
Much remains to be seen for the state of Georgia. But it is certain that the legislature in Georgia is paying attention to their glorious sunshine now.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments and suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
