Each year, the proportion of renewable energy used to power U.S. homes and businesses has increased. The U.S. Department of Energys Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases a monthly electric power report to keep up with this evolving energy infrastructure. This Februarys report includes milestones for solar development across the nation growing over 40% in 2017 over 2016 solar energy is now the fastest growing segment of energy generation in the U.S.
Although the electric car was introduced over 100 years ago, only a fraction of cars sold to U.S. customers today are considered electric vehicles (EVs). Due to the environmental benefits of EVs, there has historically been some efforts to incentivize EV development. Now, Massachusetts's proportion of EVs may begin to climb due to a proposal set forth by Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has followed up on a two year long initiative to take policy action on energy market barriers. As the nation's energy generation and distribution continues to modernize, energy markets must become conducive to innovation. The new rule, adopted on February 15th, opens U.S. wholesale energy markets to energy storage on equal footing with traditional power systems by properly valuing the unique benefits of energy storage.
SolBids Clean Energy News has followed the ITC Section 201 Solar Trade case since the initial proposal. At the time of our last discussion, the administration was in place to announce the final ruling by January 26th. Three days early, on January 23rd, the President signed the proclamation placing a tariff on imported solar cells and modules for a period of four years. The import tariff, which was implemented February 7th, is set at 30% with a 5% declining rate per year.
A report published in December 2017 by the Department of Energy outlines individual states commitments to modernizing their electricity grids. Modernization is crucial for utilities to integrate new, cleaner, and more efficient technologies. Due to variance in state agendas, some states are preparing better than others to modernize their electricity grids and integrate new and cost effective technologies.
When electrical contractors Todd Hickman and Steve Sgroi first installed solar panels on the roof of Todds own home back in 2011, they did it as a kind-of test, to determine whether the technology would be suitable for their residential and commercial customers. Upon seeing the immediate positive impact the system had on lowering not only Todds personal electric bill, but also on the environment, they were certain solar made sense.
