solar 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 10, 2019

U.S. Gas Plants will be Outperformed by Wind and Solar by 2035

Natural gas-fired power plants, which are largely responsible for undermining the economics of coal-fired plants, are expected to be undercut by renewable power by 2035. According to a September 9 report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, analysis performed on the cost of construction, fuel, and anticipated operations for 68 gigawatt gas plants compared to the cost of building a combination of solar farms, wind plants, and battery systems indicate that it will be more expensive to run 90% of the gas plants being proposed in the U.S. compared to sustainable energy plants. As gas plants lose their viability and power… Read more

Feb 6, 2019

Solar Panel Discussion: SGR’s Steve O’Day to Speak at the Southface Institute

On Thursday, February 28th, there will be a Solar panel discussion at Southface. The Solar Panel Discussion event will explore new solutions to existing and reoccurring solar energy problems that impede the growth of its industry market in Georgia. Gathering professions in the field as well as related industries, this event will create a collaborative and innovative space for networking, stimulating new perspectives, welcoming ideas, and producing practical and effective solutions. The panelist discussion will address GA State policies and incentives, rules and regulation for the solar panel installation, and the permitting process. Stephen E. O’Day is Partner and Head… Read more

Feb 9, 2015

Proposed Solar Financing Legislation Tees Georgia Solar Industry Up for Major Expansion

Representative Mike Dudgeon (R-Johns Creek) introduced HB 57, the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act of 2015, in Georgia’s General Assembly on Thursday, January 15. The bill, which SGR’s Steve O’Day worked closely with Rep. Dudgeon and others in developing language for the bill and in negotiating an agreement among the solar industry and Georgia’s 88 electric utilities, will clarify Georgia law to allow financing of solar systems for residences and businesses in which the payments for the system are based on the electricity produced. Georgia’s businesses and residents will be able to utilize the same kinds of free-market financing for solar… Read more

Jul 14, 2014

Iowa Supreme Court Decides That Solar Power Provider Is Not a Public Utility and Not Governed by Exclusive Territorial Restrictions

In a case closely watched nationwide, the Iowa Supreme Court last Friday, July 11, affirmed a lower court decision allowing the use of power purchase agreements (PPAs) to finance the installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy facilities. SZ Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Eagle Point Solar v. Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), a Division of the Department of Commerce, State of Iowa, Iowa Supreme Court No. 13-0642 (July 11, 2014). Because of the significant upfront cost of installation of solar panels on residences and businesses, solar energy providers commonly absorb the upfront installation cost and recoup their investment through sale of the electricity produced… Read more

Jun 16, 2014

Cox Enterprises Announces National Employee Solar Program

Through its Cox Conserves sustainability program, Cox Enterprises is launching a national employee solar program that will provide incentives for employees who choose to install solar panel systems on their homes. The program was announced by Cox Enterprises Chairman Jim Kennedy today in a session on energizing employees at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green conference. Cox’s employee solar program was initially piloted in California through a partnership with SolarCity and has nearly 100 participants who can pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility bills. “When we launched Cox Conserves, we really wanted to encourage our employees to be eco-friendly,” said Kennedy. “Whether you are a… Read more

May 30, 2014

Georgia Power to Construct Solar Projects at U.S. Army Bases in Georgia

The largest U.S. utility company, Georgia Power, which is owned by the Southern Company, will build three, 30-megawatt solar projects at U.S. army military bases located in Georgia. It is anticipated that the projects, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016 will be constructed at Fort Benning near Columbus, Fort Gordon near Augusta, and Fort Stewart near Savannah. The projects are a part of the company’s plan to have almost 900 megawatts of solar power by 2016 being generated by 500 new projects. For more information on Georgia Power Solar Projects, please contact Steve O’Day.

Feb 28, 2014

Georgia Power Files Revised RFP and PPA for 495 MW Solar Purchase with Georgia PSC

On Friday, February 21, 2014, Georgia Power filed the revised Request for Proposals (RFP) and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) documents with the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC). The revised documents along with redline versions and a summary of the changes to the documents have been uploaded to the solar purchase website. The revisions to the RFP and PPA were the result of comments provided by interested parties. Comments that were accepted were incorporated in the revised documents. Parties that provided suggested changes that were not accepted by Georgia Power will receive an explanation for the rejection of their suggested revisions…. Read more

Jan 8, 2014

Georgia Power Company Proposes 495 MW Solar Request for Proposals

On December 19, Georgia Power Company issued its draft Solar Request for Proposals (RFP) to fulfill both the last 70 MW of its Advanced Solar Initiative (ASI) and the requirement imposed this year by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) that Georgia Power Company purchase an additional 425 MW of solar energy. The Draft RFP, together with a proposed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and other relevant documents, is available on the web site established for the program. Persons interested in the program must register on the new web site (registration on the existing ASI web site will not carry over)… Read more

Apr 22, 2013

Global Solar Photovoltaic Industry is Likely Now a Net Energy Producer, Stanford Researchers Find

The construction of the photovoltaic power industry since 2000 has required an enormous amount of energy, mostly from fossil fuels. The good news is that the clean electricity from all the installed solar panels has likely just surpassed the energy going into the industry’s continued growth, Stanford researchers find. To read the complete article, click here. For more information, please contact Steve O’Day.