THE RENEWABLES ENTREPRENEUR
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Staff Opinion: NEM 3 Decision Could be Our Carpe Diem Posted on Dec 16, 2022
California energy regulators have the power to make, kill and stifle energy markets, and consumer choices. At a time when individual energy resiliency has never been more important, and will become increasingly so, that is what the California Publ...
Overview of Federal Solar Tax Credits in the IRA Posted on Oct 20, 2022
There are two tax credits available for businesses that purchase solar energy systems (see the Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics for information for individuals): The investment tax credit (ITC) is a tax credit ...
The IRA Passed - Now What? Posted on Sep 22, 2022
The RE+ solar and storage cleantech conference happening right now in Anaheim, California is the largest cleantech event ever to occur in United States history. Over 26,000 people are registered for RE+. The conference sessions, meetings and buzz...
Get Read to Start Your CleanTech Business: Solar Installs Expected to Triple by 2027 Due to Climate Bill Posted on Sep 08, 2022
The Inflation Reduction Act, otherwise known as the largest Climate legislation enacted in U.S. history, is projected to Boost Solar Deployment by 40%. Are you inspired to start a new Cleantech business? Check out the Six-Step Guide that we crea...
Mária Telkes Fellowship now accepting applicants Posted on Jul 19, 2022
Applications are open now for the Mária Telkes Fellowship, a two-year executive leadership program for mid-career cleantech professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. The Mária Telkes Fellowship is hosted by the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable...
Center on Solar Consumer Protection! Posted on May 11, 2022
Solar energy is still new to many households and businesses. Companies must guide customers through the solar sales process and beyond to provide a good solar consumer experience. A company’s success in doing so, not only protects consumers, but a...
Could Texas Take the Solar Lead? Posted on Apr 22, 2022
Texas is a powerhouse in distributed PV, and could become the number one state in the U.S., especially depending on how California’s NEM-3 proceeding turns out. In Q1 to Q3 of 2021, distributed PV in Texas grew by 23% compared to California’s 14%...
Funding Notice: $25M Available to Improve Community Energy Resilience with Solar Posted on Apr 12, 2022
New funding opportunities are rolling out from the Biden Administration. Check out this one from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (...
Long-Duration Energy Storage - Don't Be Left in the Dark! Posted on Mar 31, 2022
Check Out the Virtual Fireside Chat with the MIT Club of Northern California Join experts as they discuss long duration energy storage including ancillary services and benefits to electrical power infrastructure. California SB100 sets a target ...
How to Start a CleanTech Business Posted on Mar 28, 2022
We created a checklist of tasks and considerations to help people start a solar company or other cleantech business. This checklist should be modified depending on the exact business type and plan, as appropriate. CleanTech Business Start-Up Chec...
Sign up for the American Solar Energy Society's 2022 National Solar Tour Posted on Mar 22, 2022
Every year the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) organizes a national solar tour. This year's tour is happening virtually and in person on October 1-2. The ASES National Solar Tour is a collection of Local Solar Tours, in addition to singl...
Our Net-Zero Future Posted on Mar 17, 2022
A growing number of people are transforming their properties and lifestyles to become net-zero carbon emission with their own solar and storage supplies capable of operating without the utility’s electric grid. The list of reasons why people are g...
Notice: Updated California Solar Consumer Protection Guide Posted on Feb 28, 2022
California solar contractors: A new version of the California Solar Consumer Protection Guide (PDF) is now accessible at www.cpuc.ca.gov/solarguide. Additional language translations will be added in the coming weeks. Solar providers must use the u...
The Fight for California Solar is at a Boiling Point Posted on Jan 17, 2022
Guest Blog Post By Angela Lipanovich, Attorney & Founder of Estriatus Law On January 13, 2022, the largest solar demonstration in U.S. history occurred in California. Approximately 3,000 people rallied to save Californians’ rights to own sola...
The Public Does Not Understand How Distributed Solar in California Works, or Is About to Change Posted on Dec 27, 2021
Guest Blog Post By Angela Lipanovich, Attorney & Founder of Estriatus Law Right now, a lot of misinformation and, simply a lack of understanding, exists among the public about distributed solar (often simply referred to as, "rooftop solar")....
New California Contracting Laws Come into Play January 1, 2022 Posted on Dec 21, 2021
AB 569 (Grayson)This bill increases from $5,000 to $8,000 the maximum administrative civil penalty CSLB can assess against a licensed contractor for most violations, and from $15,000 to $30,000 for the most serious violations relating to un...
Opinion - STAFF ESSAY Posted on Dec 14, 2021
What is Politics? Recently, a person asked us whether we think wind turbines are “a good technology.” The person had seen a video claiming that wind turbines cause massive amounts of wildlife deaths and was adamant that the video was not “pol...
Delivered: 128,000 public comments and 1 human billboard message Posted on Dec 10, 2021
Delivered: 128,000 public comments and 1 human billboard message These individuals made inspiring statements to the crowd and led the public comment delivery: Esperanza Vielma, Environmental Justice Coalition for Water Rev. Jason Bense, Luthera...
Time to Spruce Up Your Contracts Posted on Nov 22, 2021
Now is the Time to Update Your California Residential Installation Agreements We recently updated our California Residential Solar Installation Agreements to include terms required by the most recent California rules and regulations. A Spanish ve...
Free Business Speaking Class Posted on Nov 17, 2021
This free online class by Patrick Winston is about how to give a presentation so that a presenter's ideas are accepted and appreciated. The ability to verbally present ideas is critical to business and personal success. It's also a gift to the ...
Solar Ready Vets Program Posted on Nov 11, 2021
The Solar Ready Vets Network is a group of solar workforce development programs funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) that connect veterans and transitioning military service members with career trai...
Five Reasons Why Governor Newsom Should Stand Up to the Utility Attack on Solar Posted on Nov 10, 2021
The following is a guest post from Cinnamon Energy Systems: The battle between rich monopoly utilities and the “behind the meter” solar industry is coming to a head right now in California. The three biggest utilities are lobbying the Public Utili...
The $1 Trillion U.S. Infrastructure Bill Paves the Way to Net-Zero Emissions Economy Posted on Nov 09, 2021
Some of the key funding allocations in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal include: $50 billion for programs and technologies that improve resilience $65 billion for grid improvements $7.5 billion to build a national network of EV chargers ...
Intersolar/Energy Storage North America Conference 13-15 January 2022 (Long Beach, CA) Posted on Nov 08, 2021
The Intersolar/Energy Storage North America Conference will take place at the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. As the first major solar + storage event of the year in North America, #isnaesna22 highlights the latest energy technologies,...
Protecting Your Contractor Business: RME Agreements Posted on Nov 02, 2021
Many solar and other types of cleantech companies need a contractor’s license to operate. This often involves either the owner of the company or an employee with a contractor’s license agreeing to be the responsible managing officer or employee f...
Homeowners in Common Interest Developments Have Solar Rights Posted on Nov 01, 2021
California, Florida and other homeowners living in common interest developments have the right to install solar systems according to state law. Yet, a large number of common interest developments and their governing associations think they can st...
Oregon Solar + Storage Conference - November 2-4, 2021 | Portland, Oregon Posted on Oct 20, 2021
We'll be going to the Oregon Solar + Storage Conference happening this November 2 - 4, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Attendees can earn NABCEP credits from the conference educational sessions. Check out the full agenda here
Energy Retrofit Policy Spotlight: Interview with Barry Cinnamon Posted on Oct 12, 2021
Last month, we began a series exploring policies that would solve the problem of the excessively high costs and long timelines required to retrofit existing buildings to become “net zero emission” properties. In this article, you can read our fir...
"Net Zero Emission" Energy Retrofits: A Critical Policy Issue to Solve Posted on Sep 24, 2021
One thing most experts in the cleantech industry agree on is that it is cheaper to build “net zero emission” buildings from scratch than to retrofit existing buildings to become net zero emitters. Although perhaps not invariably true across the U....
Texas Law to Protect Firearm Ownership Could Impact Renewable Energy Projects Posted on Sep 22, 2021
A new Texas law, SB 19, could be interpreted as applying to tax equity investors in renewable energy; and thus, ban those entities from doing any government solar projects if they have internal policies that prohibit firearms on the worksite or at...
South Bay contractors can learn to build all-electric in new course Posted on Sep 21, 2021
To meet growing marketplace demand, Sunnyvale-based Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) and the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Workforce Institute have launched FutureFit Fundamentals, a new online course focused on all-electric bui...
Recommended podcast by David Roberts of Volts with Adam Browning Posted on Sep 17, 2021
As many of you know by now, Adam Browning decided to step back from running Vote Solar and move into an advisory role for the group. Adam is definitely worthy of holding a place among those in top leadership positions who have helped the solar ind...
Check out: MIT Club of N. CA's Virtual Fireside Chat on Negative Emissions Technologies Posted on Sep 17, 2021
This is another interesting event hosted by the MIT Club of North California. On Thursday, Oct 7th, they will be discussing negative emissions technologies. We predict this could be a rapidly developing industry, and thus opportunity, in the deca...
Check out this Course: Renewable Power Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Posted on Sep 16, 2021
Green Power Academy is offering a 3 day course for non-finance industry professionals that our members might benefit from. The course is advertised as providing an understanding of the common elements of a financial model and the key terminology. ...
Energy Show Podcast - Insights on Battery System Safety Posted on Aug 10, 2021
As storage continues to take a leading position in the cleantech landscape, battery safety and knowledge is key. Listen to this recent podcast on the Energy Show to hear an industry expert's insights and experience on battery safety: Podcast: Ba...
Ideas for CleanTech Contractors to Protect Against Material Cost Increases Posted on Aug 09, 2021
A recent post by the California Construction Law Blog includes some excellent suggestions on ways that contractors can protect against risks from rising material costs. These ideas include using Time & Materials Contracts that make the owner ...
Solar Industry: Report Shows California Government Changes May Risk Solar Growth Posted on Jul 30, 2021
Sharply reducing net metering payments and imposing high, solar-only fixed charges could slow the growth of rooftop solar installations – and, in the most extreme cases, could cause installations to plummet – according to a new report from Enviro...
DOE Announces New $60 Million Investment to Increase Energy Efficiency in Manufacturing Posted on Jul 26, 2021
32 Universities Across 28 States Will Conduct Industrial Assessments to Help Local Manufacturers Reduce Carbon Footprint, Lower Costs, and Train Energy Workforce of Tomorrow WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $...
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office: American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 is Open Posted on Jul 23, 2021
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is launching the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 Software Track, a part of the American-Made Challenges, to accelerate the development, validation, and commercializatio...
Solar APP+ Is a Step Forward for CleanTech Posted on Jul 23, 2021
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has launched a collaborative effort with key code officials, authorities having jurisdiction, and the solar industry to develop standardized plan review software that can run compliance checks and process ...
New Report: California Ratepayers Can Save $120B with Sustained Local Solar and Storage Growth Posted on Jul 22, 2021
A report released today reveals that enabling the continued growth of distributed energy resources (DERs), like rooftop and community solar and battery storage, would save California ratepayers $120 billion over the next 30 years. According to th...
List of the Worlds Leading CO2 Contributors Posted on Jul 15, 2021
Time for individual and government action. According to current data, China is the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide and growing emissions; the U.S. leads the world in cutting carbon emissions, but is the second largest carbon dioxide em...
Excellent New Podcast from Cinnamon Energy: Stop the Utility Profit Grab Posted on Jul 07, 2021
6/30/21 News Story: “PG&E just asked regulators for a $3.6b rate hike to reduce fires from their own power lines.” Listen to the Cinnamon Energy weekly Energy Show to learn more about the specific changes monopoly utilities want, the falsehoo...
California Contractor Update: Public Utility Commission Approves Public List for Contractors Violating Consumer Protection Rules Posted on Jul 01, 2021
For all contractors selling solar, storage and other cleantech installation products and services in California, please be aware that the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) voted in June 2021 to maintain a public list of contractors foun...
Webinar: Local clean energy generation or remote — who wins the battle? Posted on Jun 24, 2021
Check out this excellent webinar hosted by the Clean Coalition on the true components underlying electricity costs from Distributed Generation and remotely located power plants: Webinar: Local clean energy generation or remote — who wins the battl...
Industry Leaders Launch Group to Create a Coordinated Industry Voice for Microgrids in the U.S. Posted on Jun 10, 2021
More than a dozen companies, including HOMER Energy by UL, are leading the way to improve electric reliability with microgrids in the U.S. through a new coalition to represent the industry at the state and federal level.Called “Think Microgrid,” t...- Page 1 of 3
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