Clean Energy Finance Forum

As electric vehicles' glamour grows, states need to guide utility leaders to absorb the cars into the grid. Wisconsin has made a start, according to this December 18 report.

The parent company of renewable generator Avangrid has offered to buy PNM Resources, broadening its footprint from Texas to New Mexico. (Note: One of CBEY's team members has provided consulting services to Avangrid.)

Seven states – Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, and Vermont – have enacted legislation to promote pollinator-friendly solar development. A new white paper by the Clean Energy States Alliance provides an overview of these state efforts and offers suggestions for what other states can do to promote solar while also creating or preserving healthy habitats for pollinators.

Rocky Mountain Power contends that rooftop-generated power is not worth much, while clean-power advocates and the solar industry counter that rooftop systems provide broad benefits to the public at large and to the utility in the form of reduced stress on the electrical grid and power-generation needs.

A study by Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance identified two ways distributed energy resources can reduce costs: act as non-wires alternatives to avoid investment in tranmission and distribution ($2.45 billion over ten years), and decrease peak energy costs in the wholesale market which is worth $3.01 billion.

A major rain and wind storm struck the state at the close of October, knocking out power to some 115,000 customers. Among those affected, 1,100 homes managed to keep the lights on thanks to pilot programs specifically designed to promote resilient backup power with energy storage.

"Finally, the Sunshine State is living up to its name and taking steps to become a true leader in the solar revolution. A critical component of our just transition to renewable energy is ensuring that every Floridian can participate and benefit from affordable, clean, local solar power. That’s why we must extend the benefits of solar power to renters and people with homes that are not suitable for solar panels."

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today announced that it is garnering more support from solar stakeholders for its FPL SolarTogether, a proposed new offering for FPL customers that would be the largest community solar program in the U.S., pending regulatory review.