The Composite Index and How it Relates to Solar Development in Virginia, Part Two:

By |2018-08-10T15:08:43-04:00March 2nd, 2017|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Bureaucratic bookkeeping may inadvertently grind Virginia solar development to a halt.  The State government is assessing this issue, and we understand the state will issue a decision in due course.  The following is the second of three installments highlighting SolUnesco’s research on the Virginia Composite Index and its impact on solar electric generation.   To download our complete findings, click here HOW IS SOLAR TAXED? Covered in Part One of this series, the Composite Index (CI) may ignore the solar tax exemption

Read More

Are Solar and Electric Utilities Really Cooperating?

By |2018-08-10T15:02:27-04:00March 1st, 2017|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Renewable energy can drive enormous job growth, and local investment, with some reports estimating that it will generate over 55,000 additional job-years worked right here in Virginia by 2030.  The key to tapping this potential is integrating new sources of energy into the existing electric grid. Since the grid is heavily regulated, this means finding policy solutions that give new sources of energy the space they need to grow. That is why many in the solar industry strongly advocate for

Read More

Dear Mr. President…How to Help the Renewable Energy Industry

By |2018-03-02T00:07:06-05:00February 22nd, 2017|Policy|

It seems that every day we see another headline about the incredible growth of renewable energy and its numerous positive effects on the economy. While there is an ongoing discussion about the threat of climate change, there is a growing consensus that renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are not only good for the planet but good for the economy as well. Increasingly, that consensus is spreading across the aisle, bringing opposite ends of the political spectrum together. This

Read More

Virginia’s Attorney General Offers Support to Clean Power Plan

By |2018-03-02T00:17:08-05:00January 11th, 2017|Industry, Policy|

In February, the fate of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) was put into question when the Supreme Court put a stay on the rule, pending a judicial review. With the upcoming administration change, the question mark has grown. On December 28, those of us in Virginia learned bit about where our leadership stands when Attorney General Mark Herring affixed his name to an open letter to Donald Trump, urging him to “continue the federal government’s defense of the Clean Power

Read More

Powered by Facts: Letter to Supporters

By |2018-03-02T00:20:48-05:00December 28th, 2016|Policy, Virginia Solar|

Our friend Karen Schaufeld, Powered by Facts, published the following open letter in support of solar electricity.  Powered by Facts, MDV-SEIA (the regional solar trade association) and the electric utilities have spent the last eight months developing a consensus view on a broad range of issues impacting the deployment of solar energy in Virginia.  SolUnesco has supported this process and supports the Bills forthcoming from this process.

Read More

SolUnesco Talks Solar Policy and Growth in Virginia

By |2018-08-10T12:23:48-04:00July 18th, 2016|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

On Wednesday we presented at the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers (VAAO) Property Assessment Conference (Click here to download presentation). The association and their conferences provide continuing education to the Virginia community of assessors. We believe that maintaining a healthy dialogue with the professionals who determine land values for the purpose of tax assessments serves the solar industry well. Francis Hodsoll, CEO, presented on policies driving national solar markets and their application to the Virginia framework. He also explained the tremendous

Read More

EPA REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

By |2018-08-10T13:35:34-04:00July 1st, 2015|Industry, Policy|

Last week, the EPA recently released a report entitled: Climate Change in the United States: Benefit of Global Action, on June 22nd, 2015. This peer-reviewed report presents two different scenarios based on scientific reports and analysis: One scenario presents the economic, health and other socio-economic damage under the “business as usual” case.  The other scenario presents the relative benefits resulting from global agreements to cut greenhouse gas emission and the resulting benefits.

Read More

Community solar programs are here…. But where are the projects?

By |2018-08-10T13:29:41-04:00June 1st, 2015|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Virginia Market No enabling legislation to allow the private market to participate in community solar Pent-up demand for solar in Virginia is creating a specific demand for community solar Community solar options are being pursued by cooperatives and investor owned utilities at various levels Absence of a competitive market will not allow best pricing for consumers of these utility owned options  DC Market Final of regulations for Community Renewable Energy Act Rooftop leases Low income segment not being adequately served

Read More

Hodsoll: Cut carbon to boost Virginia’s economy

By |2015-04-15T17:53:01-04:00April 15th, 2015|Policy, Virginia Solar|

Yesterday, in advance of Governor McAuliffe’s meeting with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginian-Pilot published an op-ed by VAEIC board president, Francis Hodsoll. Echoing last week’s report by VAEIC and the Advanced Energy Economy Institute, the op-ed highlights the economic opportunity the Clean Power Plan represents for Virginia. An excerpt: “This summer, we expect a final Clean Power Plan rule, the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement that states reduce carbon pollution from electricity generation. The big question for Virginia:

Read More

Virginia small business owners voiced their support for federal Clean Power Plan

By |2014-11-22T17:49:34-05:00November 22nd, 2014|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Fifty business leaders sent Governor McAuliffe a letter supporting new reductions in carbon pollution through the use of clean advanced energy technologies.  These business leaders stated “we urge your administration to develop a strong plan to implement the recently proposed Clean Power Plan which facilitates a clean energy economy through the reduction of carbon pollution from power plants.” Virginia Business reported the letter was released “[j]ust in time for today’s Virginia General Assembly hearing on the federal Clean Power Plan

Read More
Go to Top