May 2012 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF MAY 2012? Note from the Editor Planning the Solar Highway The transmission grid is often described as the interstate highway system of our nation’s energy supply. It moves a lot of electricity over long distances. If you were to continue along with that metaphor, you might say that distributed generation…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF MAY 2012?
Note from the Editor
Planning the Solar Highway
The transmission grid is often described as the interstate highway system of our nation’s energy supply. It moves a lot of electricity over long distances. If you were to continue along with that metaphor, you might say that distributed generation (DG) is the newcomer to the transmission system, somewhat like the ever-increasing number of hybrid vehicles traveling on the highway system.
While around10% of our nation’s power supply currently flows from renewable energy resources, most of that comes from hydroelectric plants. When we imagine the grid in 2020 or 2030, the picture looks much different. Many analysts think it possible for the U.S. to achieve 25% or more renewable energy by 2025, and the SunShot initiative seeks to spur solar growth alone to 15-18% by 2030. We’re already starting to see distributed generation facilities reach larger proportions as state policies evolve to encourage larger installations.
State News in Detail
Northeast States
Connecticut’s PURA finalizes ZREC and LREC program
Maine PUC launches voluntary green power initiative
Massachusetts DPU adopts system of assurance for net metering facilities
Mid-Atlantic States
Virginia University projects positive outlook for renewable potential
Midwestern States
Iowa Utilities Board declines to allow power purchase agreement
Southern States
North Carolina utility expects growth for net metering production incentive
Western States
California Public Utility Commission approves expanded virtual net metering; L.A. City Council approves Feed-in Tariff
Idaho solar debate highlights potential complexities of transmission-level interconnection
Other States
Study finds Hawaii Solar tax credits a net positive for the state
Upcoming Events
Miscellaneous News
DOE Announces new Plug and Play initiative
SEPA Announces Top 10 Solar Utilities For 2011
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: May 2012 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
FORMAT
While customer-sited net metering and interconnection policies are primarily addressed at the state level, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to provide state-level policy updates and capture emerging regional trends. Connecting to the Grid is a free, electronic newsletter published each month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC). Click here to subscribe.
Editor: Laurel Varnado
