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SLevy | March 27, 2013
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Nominate an expert to the TVA board — Are you kidding?

personal note: I would have never guessed that our U.S. Senators would oppose the nomination of one of this country’s most outstanding expert in the area of money saving energy efficiency. Why?? I ask each of our readers to let their two senators hear their opinion as the Brown nomination

Our Tennessee senators don’t like whom our president is trying to reappoint to the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors: an expert on energy issues. Dr. Marilyn Brown, a Georgia Tech professor and former research administrator at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory with a long list of work and research mostly ending in “energy efficiency,” has been re-nominated by President Obama to a term on the TVA board after she’d been vetoed here at home back in January.

The nomination, sent to Capitol Hill Thursday night, comes more than two months after Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker used Senate procedures to block Obama’s previous attempt to appoint her to a six-year term.

Brown, who came to the board in 2010 to fill out the a vacated term and served through the end of 2012, is widely recognized for her expertise in energy efficiency and other “sustainable” energy policies. She teaches in Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy after formerly working for the Department of Energy at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“This is another example of the Obama White House not listening,” Alexander said in a statement Friday.

“I told the White House in advance that the TVA board needs a nominee with a better understanding of the relationship between low electricity rates and better jobs in the Tennessee Valley. The Senate now has the responsibility to exercise its constitutional role of advice and consent on the nominee.”

Corker was even more critical.

“TVA needs leaders who enthusiastically support the mission of producing economical electricity and have an abiding appreciation of its important economic development role and impact on the well-being of Valley residents,” he said.

“Unfortunately, during my discussions with Dr. Brown, it was clear she does not share that point of view.”

original article here and Sundog Blog

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, East Tennessee News, Global, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology, Tennessee |
SLevy | March 25, 2013
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story about solar starting to break into the mainstream

Home Depot expands its solar service offerings to the East Coast by partnering with two other fast-growing providers, Sunrun and Clean Power Finance.
The experience of Roof Diagnostics Solar — a leading contractor partnering with Sunrun, Clean Power Finance, and Home Depot on the East Coast — offers a window into how these arrangements are boosting solar sales.
A year and a half ago, Roof Diagnostics participated in a Home Depot pilot program with one other company in fourteen New Jersey stores. It set out a kiosk with a laptop, 40-inch television, and a solar specialist who could do a simple assessment of a home from the store.
The immediate reaction was “explosive,” said Pegler Jr., with 68 sales coming in the first 60 days. A couple weeks later, they were given twenty-one stores. And the company will be offering solar in 100 locations by the end of the year in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts — with most of those kiosks located in the first aisle of the stores.

Four out of every ten people who visit the Home Depot kiosk sign up for a solar lease or power purchase agreement with Roof Diagnostics. Pegler Jr. believes it’s a sign that the Northeastern solar market is maturing. Because states like New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts have strong solar programs, consumers generally know about the opportunity. But seeing a kiosk in a Home Depot store can be the difference between someone thinking about solar and actually taking action.

original article

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, financing, Global, jobs, National, Political, PV Tech Newscast, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology, Training |
SLevy | March 23, 2013
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LETTER: Elected officials must promote clean energy laws

Judging by the recent layoffs at Hemlock, it would seem that the Chinese clean energy industry is an unstoppable juggernaut.
However, a new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that US companies held a $1.6 billion dollar surplus in clean energy trade with China in 2011.
While the layoffs are disheartening, statistics show America’s clean energy market is stronger than ever. In fact, Tennessee is at the forefront of the clean energy economy in the United States.
Examples in Tennessee range from electric vehicle manufacturing at Nissan North America Headquarters to the recent launch of a solar farm at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga.
As more companies tap in to the clean energy economy, it is vital that our elected officials promote laws to help America stay in the lead.

Investments in research and innovation, encouraging domestic demand and supporting overseas sales are all vital to success. Now, more than ever, it is up to Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander to lead to promote clean energy measures for our state and our nation.
America cannot afford to come in second place.

JOE SCHILLER

Clarksville, 37044

originally published by Leaf Chronicle

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee, Training |
SLevy | March 23, 2013
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Larisa Brass: State’s solar strategists’ hopes not dimmed for industry

Tennessee’s solar industry appeared ready to shine when two of the world’s largest companies involved in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels announced plans to invest billions in the state.

Four years later, global economics and local policy have raised questions about the brightness of the alternative energy’s future.

Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie have both delayed their production for the polysilicon used to make solar panels. Hemlock laid off 300 employees at its $1.2 billion plant in Clarksville, Tenn. before production began, while Wacker Chemie has slowed construction of its Cleveland, Tenn., plant with an eye towards postponing its opening until 2015.

In Georgia, following a state-mandated, 50-megawatt pilot project, the utility has chosen to develop 260 additional megawatts of solar power, which will be purchased at no additional cost to customers and reflects the energy source’s increasing affordability.
Volkswagen invested in solar energy because of its environmental commitment, not to save money right away, says Guenther Scherelis, the company’s Chattanooga spokesman.

The 33-acre installation helped Volkswagen become the first automotive plant in the world to achieve the U.S. Building Council’s LEED Platinum certification.

“Sustainability is one of our core values of the group,” Scherelis says. “We assume that in the long-term, energy prices will go up.”

Matt Kisber says changes in state incentives, a potential property tax increase for solar installations and cutbacks in TVA programs promoting renewable energy have made solar development in Tennessee more difficult. “My sense is companies want to locate and do business in states and communities where they feel appreciated and wanted,” he says. “The state needs to have policies that support their activities. … Georgia has taken our place (in developing solar as a power source). And they’re doing it for economic development objectives. There are a number of other Southeastern states that are actively recruiting (solar manufacturers).”

original article

Category: Business / Economics, financing, Grants and Incentives, jobs, Middle Tennessee News, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Tennessee |
SLevy | March 17, 2013
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Let Our Legislators Know If You Think the President’s Energy Security Proposal is a Good One

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, financing, Global, Grants and Incentives, jobs, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Technology, Tennessee, Training |
SLevy | March 15, 2013
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U.S. installs more than 3,300 MW of solar PV in 2012

U.S. photovoltaic installations in 2012 increased 76 percent over 2011 numbers to 3,313 MW, with an estimated market value of $11.5 billion, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s “U.S. Solar Market Insight 2012 Year In Review.”
Cumulative PV capacity operating at the end of 2012 was 7,221 MW. The U.S. accounted for 11 percent of all global PV installations in 2012. The report predicts the U.S. PV market will grow 30 percent in 2013 with 4.3 GW of new PV installations anticipated during 2013 across all market segments.
Installed prices dropped 27 percent last year and at least 13 percent in each market segment (residential, non-residential and utility).
California led the U.S. in 2011 and 2012 with 1,033 PV installations in 2012, compared to 577 in 2011. Arizona moved up one spot this year to No. 2 with 710 installations in 2012. New Jersey dropped from second in 2011 to third last year with 415 installations in 2012, Nevada jumped from tenth to fourth with 198 installations and North Carolina rounded out the top five with 132 installations.

reference

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, financing, jobs, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Performanc, Tennessee |
SLevy | March 5, 2013
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With soaring costs, nuclear on the ropes in state legislatures

The rising cost of construction of nuclear power plants, combined with the allure of cheap gas, has lawmakers in Georgia and Florida asking why ratepayers should be on the hook for expensive, over-budget, past-due projects, the Associated Press reports.

In Georgia, a coalition of tea party conservatives and consumer advocates have banded together in support of a proposal to cut into Southern Co. (NYSE: SO) profits to penalize the regulated monopoly for going over budget. “Conservatives do not believe in incentivizing failure,” a tea party activist recently told lawmakers, according to the AP. Currently Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co., earns about 11 percent in profits when investing its own money in power projects, reports the AP.
Reacting to the recent closure of the Crystal River nuclear plant, Florida lawmakers are considering proposals to prevent utilities from collecting consumer fees before electricity is ever produced on a project. “A lot of people are paying for something that they’ll never see any return on their money,” said a Republican legislator behind one proposal, according to the AP. A similar Democratic proposal is on the table as well.

Plant owner Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) stands to earn up to $50 million in profits on the $500 million collected from customers to pay for upgrades that ended up causing still greater damage to the facility and leading to its closure. Changes in the fee collection law could affect construction of the proposed Levy County nuclear plant, for which ratepayers have already paid $1.5 billion. Under current law, Duke could earn up to $150 million in profit even if the project is never completed.

reference

Category: Business / Economics, financing, National, Political, Renewable Energy |
SLevy | February 21, 2013
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Renewable Energy Provided 100% Of New U.S. Generating Capacity In January

Renewable energy – including wind, solar and biomass resources – accounted for all new generating capacity added in the U.S. in January, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) latest Energy Infrastructure Update.

The 1.231 GW of new U.S. electrical generating capacity entering service in January represented nearly a threefold increase in new renewable energy generating capacity compared to January 2012, when wind, solar and biomass provided 431 MW of new capacity.

Wind energy accounted for the largest share of the new capacity in January, with six new units providing 958 MW, followed by 16 units of solar (267 MW) and six units of biomass (6 MW). No new generating capacity was reported for any fossil fuel (i.e., natural gas, coal, oil) or nuclear power sources.

Renewable sources now account for 15.66% of total installed U.S. operating generating capacity, and wind energy represents 5.17% of the total. Other renewable resources include water (8.5%), biomass (1.29%), solar (0.38%) and geothermal (0.32%). In comparison, natural gas accounts for 42.37% of total operating generating capacity, followed by coal (29.04%), nuclear (9.23%) and oil (3.54%).

original article

Category: Business / Economics, jobs, National, Political, Renewable Energy, Solar |
SLevy | February 12, 2013
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Policies to enhance economic feasibility of a sustainable energy transition

A commentary reported in this month’s Journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences states a unique concept to provide an incentive for shareholders of energy generation industry stocks. Thought is was worth mentioning in our blog because of the what strikes at the hearts of investors: profit and accountability. S. Levy

An important task of contemporary academic research is the design of policy that promotes a sustainable energy transition. Dangerman and Schnellnhuber (1) (D&S hereafter) explain theoretically, and show empirically, that it is very difficult to move away from unsustainable technologies. The role of investment funds that go disproportionally to dominant, pollutive technologies is emphasized. The policy suggestion of D&S is modifying corporate law to make shareholders legally liable for environmental impacts of firms in which they invest. The resulting “legal negative feedback loop” to shareholders’ decisions will alter the allocation of capital investment in favor of cleaner “niche” technologies. According to D&S, this would “balance the shareholders’ zest for unrestricted expansion.” They add that it can have a precautionary effect by discouraging investment away from pollutive industries in an early development phase.

Studies on environmental policy tend to focus on changing the behavior of consumers and producers and give considerably less attention to investors. The D&S proposal is therefore a welcome addition to the literature. Investors receive more notice in research on “environmental innovation” and “sustainability transitions”. A central policy finding here is that a combination of environmental regulation and innovation support is needed to foster a sustainable energy transition . The first will change the costs and benefits of production and thus the profits in the positive feedback cycle of both the dominant and alternative technologies.

reference:

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, financing, Global, National, Political, Renewable Energy |
SLevy | February 7, 2013
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42nd National Solar Conference, SOLAR 2013, in Baltimore, April 16-20

Register today at the American Solar Energy Society for the conference details and sign up.

Highlights of the technical session include:
New techniques for making high-performance quantum-dot and nanoparticle photovoltaic cells.

The status of the High Definition PV project, an industry-wide program to reduce the cost of solar installations through plug-and-play standardization.

Several new techniques to reduce the cost of dispatchable power from concentrating solar thermal (CSP) plants, a key development in providing cheap, clean solar power to run municipal grids through the night.

Solar-powered furnaces that generate hydrogen or syngas fuels at high efficiency.

A wide variety of simplified techniques for minute-to-minute and hour-to-hour forecasting of solar farm output, useful for balancing loads across geographic regions.

Efficient new ways to store solar-heated hot water – and use solar heat to drive air conditioners.

Cheap feedstocks for cheap biodiesel.

Hybrid light rail that runs when the grid goes down.

Driving large desalination and waste-water recovery systems with renewable energy.

Promoting Solar PV Deployment Through Micro-Investments

This conference is hosted by the American Solar Energy Society to which TSEA is the Tennessee State Chapter. Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and advocates. Our mission is to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

Category: Business / Economics, Call to Action, financing, Fun, jobs, National, Political, PV Tech Newscast, Renewable Energy, Solar, Solar Performanc, Solar Thermal, Technology, Training |
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