solar energy Archives

Jan 22, 2020

Solar Tariffs Harm U.S. Industry

On January 22, 2018 the Trump administration placed $8.5 billion in tariffs on imports of solar modules and cells in an attempt to shield U.S. industry from unfair global competition from China and South Korea. The Solar Energy Industry Association has released a report laying out the estimated economic impact of the tariffs. According to the report, Chinese solar modular makers have set up factories in Malaysia and Vietnam to avoid the tariffs, so the modular brands entering the U.S. market are much the same as before, but at higher prices. In addition, an estimated 62,000 jobs were lost or… Read more

Sep 2, 2015

Southern Solar Summit: The Solar Market is Red Hot and Rocking the South

SGR’s Steve O’Day will be a speaker at the 7th Annual Southern Solar Summit on Thursday, September 10, 2015. The Summit will explore financial options for solar projects, operations, and maintenance for utility-scale solar, and the increasing popularity of community solar. O’Day will speak about the Georgia Solar Energy Free-Market Financing Act (HB57) and will moderate a panel on the new law’s opportunities and challenges for nonprofits, small businesses, and residential customers. The Summit will be held at the GTRI Conference Center, 250 14th St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

May 15, 2014

NY Governor Cuomo Announces $60M State Funding for Nonresidential Solar Energy Projects

On May 13, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the availability of $60 million in state funding for the installation of solar energy at nonresidential sites in New York. The announcement is the third round of the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The funding is focused on businesses, industries, and institutions that are large energy users. The state funding is intended to leverage private investment in new solar power projects. For more information on the New York solar program, or on development, construction or operation of solar projects generally,… Read more

Apr 4, 2014

Georgia Public Service Commission Approves Final RFP Documents for 495 MW Solar Energy Purchase by Georgia Power

On Tuesday, April 1, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved the RFP documents for Georgia Power’s purchase of 495 MW of solar energy from new projects to be constructed over the next 3 years (the ASI and ASI-Prime programs). Georgia Power released the bid form at 12:00 noon on April 2. The posting of the final approved documents and the release of the bid form initiated the bidding process. Interested bidders will have until 5:00 pm EPT on April 30 to submit their proposals through the IE website. Contact Steve O’Day if you have any questions about the final documents, the… Read more

Nov 5, 2012

Solar Energy Incentives for New York Businesses and Residents

Three bills enacted this year provide incentives to New York businesses and residents to install solar electric facilities. Homeowners who lease solar energy equipment or purchase solar power are offered a state tax credit of up to $5,000, effective when the bill was signed by Governor Cuomo on August 17 (A. 34). Commercial property owners are provided a new sales tax exemption for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems, effective January 1, 2013 (S. 3203). Real property tax abatement for solar equipment installed at residential, commercial and industrial properties was extended through 2014 (A. 10620). For more… Read more

Oct 24, 2011

Georgia Public Service Commissioner Calls for Potential Renewable Portfolio Standard

A shock of excitement raced through the solar industry last week after a Georgia Public Service Commissioner released a statement recommending the Commission—as well as Georgia legislators, solar industry experts and the state’s largest utility, Georgia Power—immediately “investigate and implement needed changes” with regard to solar energy in the state. On October 18, 2011, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald wrote that given the recent negative press surrounding solar, he took it upon himself to conduct his own research. What he found was that despite being “the 3rd-5th best State for solar energy in the USA,” Georgia ranks 35thin actual solar installs, even… Read more