November 2020 www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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Solar power’s important role in the 2020 presidential election I've followed political news closely ever since my time in journalism school at Kent State University, but I don't remember renewables ever playing such a big role on the national stage as they did in the 2020 general election. Greentech Media’s Emma Foehringer Merchant reported that energy and the environment got more air time in the first 2020 presidential debate than in all of the 2016 presidential debates combined. Renewable energy and the importance of green jobs came up time and again in candidates' platforms, television ads and debate answers from the beginning of primary season to the final days before the general election. It's clear that many politicians think solar and other renewable energies will play a crucial role in these next years in the fight against climate change. I know solar power will keep growing regardless of whether there's positive policy in place to encourage it. But good solar policy helps speed up that growth, and speeding it up means making clean energy more accessible to more Americans. COVID-19 stopped the world in its tracks this year, and that included state legislatures that had to push aside any non-essential business to instead focus on COVID relief and testing and tracing efforts. Now that we're learning to live with the pandemic, state governments are beginning to resume non-COVID-related policy discussions, including those concerning solar and renewable policy. Here's hoping 2021 will bring with it new policy innovations that can help make solar and storage accessible to everyone. As we head into the holiday season, stay healthy and stay engaged in the policy decisions that affect the solar industry! SPW
Kelsey Misbrener
Senior Editor kmisbrener@wtwhmedia.com @SolarKelseyM @SolarPowerWorld
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SOLAR POWER WORLD does not pass judgment on subjects of controversy nor enter into disputes with or between any individuals or organizations. SOLAR POWER WORLD is also an independent forum for the expression of opinions relevant to industry issues. Letters to the editor and by-lined articles express the views of the author and not necessarily of the publisher or publication. Every effort is made to provide accurate information. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of submitted advertising and editorial information. Non-commissioned articles and news releases cannot be acknowledged. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned nor will this organization assume responsibility for their care. SOLAR POWER WORLD does not endorse any products, programs, or services of advertisers or editorial contributors. Copyright©2020 by WTWH Media, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or by recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified persons may subscribe at the following rates: U.S. and possessions, 1 year: $125; 2 years: $200; 3 years $275; Canadian and foreign, 1 year: $195; only U.S. funds are accepted. Single copies $15. Subscriptions are prepaid by check or money orders only. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: To order a subscription or change your address, please visit our web site at www.solarpowerworldonline.com SOLAR POWER WORLD - VOLUME 10 ISSUE 6 - (ISSN2164-7135) is published 7 times per year: January, March, May, July, September, November and December by WTWH Media, LLC, 1111 Superior Avenue, 26th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, OH and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Solar Power World; 1111 Superior Avenue, 26th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.
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NOVE MB E R 202 0 • v o l 1 0 n o 6 www.solarpowerworldonline.com
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10 BUSINESS
10 PHILANTHROPY IN SOLAR When states take on renewable energy goals, it’s a delicate dance trying to find a place for rooftop solar. In Virginia, DG only has to make up 1% of the utility’s carbon-free electricity mandate, but solar installers aren’t slowing down. Photo courtesy Ipsun Solar
2 FIRST WORD 8 NEWS BRIEFS
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In a do-good industry, there is always room to do more
INSTALLATION 14 CASE STUDY
Solar makes a big statement on one Philadelphia building’s facade
TECHNOLOGY 20 PANELS
The exiting and entering companies within U.S. solar module manufacturing
58 CONTRACTORS CORNER 60 AD INDEX
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24 INVERTERS
A roundup of industry-approved stand-alone rapid shutdown devices
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
TECHNOLOGY 28 MOUNTING
Minimal-flashing and “top-mount” systems are transforming rooftop installation
31 STORAGE
Smart circuits are the key to true whole-home battery backup
34 REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY SPECIAL SECTION
We tour the country, looking at the most significant solar policy battles in every corner
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Report finds only one-fifth of U.S. cities are on track to meet carbon reduction goals
Solar policy snapshots
United States A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy found only one-fifth of U.S. cities have communitywide greenhouse gas reduction goals and are on track to meet them. ACEEE ranked Washington, D.C., as the leading city for adopting several clean energy goals in partnership with the community.
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A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country.
DOE taps sustainable technology group to make national plan for solar on multifamily affordable housing
Denver, Colorado The International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology completed the first phase of its DOE-funded project to implement a national initiative to bring solar energy to low-income populations living in multifamily affordable housing. ICAST started the three-year project by conducting feasibility studies for low-income community solar projects in different utility markets.
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Duke Energy doubles renewables portfolio goal to 16 GW by 2025
Penn State study finds opening community solar market could generate $1.8 billion for Pennsylvania State College, Pennsylvania Penn State researchers found that opening Pennsylvania's community solar market could bring about an estimated $1.8 billion in economic impact and support over 11,000 jobs across the state. The researchers studied 235 planned community solar projects in Pennsylvania that could move ahead if enabling legislation passes at the statehouse. Currently, utility rules prevent such projects.
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Charlotte, North Carolina Duke Energy announced plans to double its renewables portfolio from 8 to 16 GW by 2025. The utility also plans to add more than 11 GW of energy storage across its territory by 2050, and retire all coal-only plants in the Carolinas by 2030.
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Philadelphia is the latest major city to make solar permitting easier for small projects.
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Illinois legislators call for passing Path to 100 legislation and increasing diversity in renewables
Springfield, Illinois Members of Illinois’s legislative Black Caucus announced a diversity plan for renewable energy and urged the governor to remedy the state’s solar funding shortfall by passing the Path to 100 Act this fall. The group’s Diversity and Equity principles would require every business participating in the state’s RPS to meet mandated diverse hiring or contractor goals, along with other inclusive strategies.
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Center for Biological Diversity sues DOE for grid resilience study records
Washington, D.C. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the DOE for failing to release records about the department’s collaboration with utilities and the fossil fuel industry on a study about the reliability and resiliency of the country’s electric grid. The center says it’s seeking the records to see how corporate interests may be shaping the model that could impact a transition to renewables on the power grid.
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Philadelphia launches EZ Permit for 10-kW and smaller solar projects
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections moved to make the city more solar-friendly by streamlining the permitting process for 10-kW and smaller projects. Contractors can now submit a new online EZ Permit for qualified installations, which doesn’t require plans and will be reviewed within three business days.
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Ameren Illinois makes netmetering concession to allow new rooftop solar customers to maintain full benefit
High Performance Solar Modules
Springfield, Illinois Ameren has reversed course after planning to end net metering in September. The utility filed a special permission tariff to allow new rooftop solar customers to maintain full compensation for the excess power they produce if the Illinois Commerce Commission determines a key net-metering calculation should be changed. Solar advocates have maintained that Ameren is using flawed justification to end net metering ahead of schedule.
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Trump plans to increase tariff on imported solar panels and revoke bifacial’s exemption
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Washington, D.C. President Trump announced that the tariff on imported solar cells and panels will increase in 2021 and bifacial solar panels will lose their exemption status. Trump based this proclamation on his assertion that domestic PV panel manufacturing is increasing, yet Solar Power World found the U.S. solar panel manufacturing industry actually lost 100 MW of production capacity in 2020. At press time, there was a temporary restraining order on the bifacial tariff revision with an official determination coming.
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n e h w
w t u e o i g d h o s o g prof e th
solar companies go
i t:
philanthropic
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BILLY LUDT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Energy
access is a global issue, and funding isn't always found where it's needed most. That's why many in the solar industry choose to blaze their own paths, setting up nonprofit organizations to bring PV to communities across the world that could use the help. Here's a look at three success stories in philanthropic efforts: Twende Solar, the Honnold Foundation and Solar Crowdsource. Even a seemingly insignificant donation from one company and one person can make a big difference to many currently living in unelectrified environments. ‘Let’s go’ solar When Oregon solar installer Elemental Energy's founder John Grieser traveled to rural Tanzania for college credit 10 years ago, he found that residents didn’t have consistent access to electricity. Recognizing that solar could provide energy where the African country’s electrical grid didn’t reach, Grieser and other Elemental Energy employees founded Twende Solar, a standalone nonprofit focused on both international and domestic philanthropic solar development. Twende, which means “let’s go” in Swahili, was founded on the principle that it’s not necessary to wait for government assistance — that private industry members can and should still work to provide energy access to those in need.
“For a community living in rural Peru, you can put a system on that land, and in a couple of days they can have light in their home, a clean-cooking stove and an opportunity for students to study at night,” said Marissa Johnson, executive director of Twende Solar. The organization tries to take on all projects brought to them from nonprofits and low-income communities in need, with a focus on empowering women, children and healthcare. Internationally, Twende has developed projects like a 6.6-kW solar + storage system at a Guatemalan school, which allowed the school to start a computer program. In its own backyard, Twende completed a 100-kW array at homeless shelter Portland Rescue Mission. In its fifth year, Twende Solar has installed a total of 163.4 kW for communities in need, with the Portland project being its largest. “It becomes an issue of justice locally,” Johnson said. “I think the whole nation is having a reckoning this year with the amount of work here locally in inequity and justice in communities. Even prior to that, we recognized there’s work that needs to be done at home.” Twende’s projects are funded through a combination of donations, grant funding, corporate sponsorships and financial partners who give a percentage of their sales toward these PV systems, and the donations are tax deductible.
Twende Solar facilitated construction of a solar array in the mountains of Peru. Twende Solar
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While the cash funding is necessary, Twende also relies on donations of solar technology and time. System designs are handled by volunteers, and supplier partnerships provide racking and solar panels. “That is something that has kind of just filled me with joy since I started this job two years ago,” Johnson said. “I think this reflects the fact that this industry in particular is for people who are doing this not just for a paycheck. It’s for people who are invested in seeing a real substantive difference.” Twende doesn’t fully fund the solar projects and requires some buy-in by the organizations receiving the systems, but through cost-savings, the arrays will pay for themselves quickly. The organization has a 388-kW pipeline of projects, with 383 kW slated for the Pacific Northwest. Twende is exploring how more nonprofits can develop community solar projects in Oregon; and at an institutional level, has been reflecting during the pandemic on
how to make its work more equitable and inclusive, “amplifying the great work that’s already happening, instead of us coming in and trying to solve problems for them,” Johnson said.
Our mission is really focused on this balance point between social and economic equity and solar energy access.
Expanding access to solar Alex Honnold was the subject of the 2018 documentary “Free Solo,” following his exploits as a rock climber, scaling mountains untethered. But six years prior to captivating audiences with his daring climbs, he started a donor-advised fund and began donating one-third of his income to installing solar for people who lacked energy access — while he was still living in an Econoline van. “His focus in the beginning was on solar because he felt like it was a really simple, transparent way to have an immediate positive impact on people’s lives and it’s something that scales
Renowned rock climber Alex Honnold assists installers on a rooftop solar project his foundation facilitated. Honnold Foundation
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well globally,” said Dory Trimble, executive director, Honnold Foundation. Since its start, the Honnold Foundation has grown into a 501(c)(3) with four fulltime staff members. Its work focuses on bringing solar to nonprofits and provides grant funding and project management support for them globally. “Our mission is really focused on this balance point between social and economic equity and solar energy access,” Trimble said. The funding mechanisms come from the foundation’s “Core” and “Community” funds. Core funding comes from $100,000 annual grants given to nonprofit organizations worldwide that are heavily involved in their communities
and are installing solar. An example is KOPPESDA, a grantee based in Sumba Island, Indonesia, that lets residents pay for solar power with non-cash payments, which Trimble said are often items like virgin coconut oil or woven palm baskets. “They used to let folks pay with chickens, but the chickens kept escaping,” she said. The foundation recently started the Community Fund, which is U.S.-focused and meant for BIPOC-led nonprofits in pollution-heavy regions. Sunrun has partnered on the initiative, and the foundation is planning to bring solar to nonprofits in Memphis, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and New York City. “The idea is, basically, we’re reducing carbon output, we’re increasing solar adoption and we’re keeping money in the pockets of nonprofits that really need it to provide essential services in their communities,” Trimble said. The Honnold Foundation is currently backing a microgrid in Puerto Rico that will support 17 businesses with battery backup that can keep the power running for 10 days in the case of a grid outage. The foundation relies on fundraising to provide grants, some of which comes from Honnold himself, and is currently able to support solar development for 18 organizations worldwide. “People hear ‘foundation’ and they think ‘endowment,’ but we don’t have an endowment and we never will,” Trimble said. “We think climate change is an urgent problem, and it doesn’t really matter if we have a bunch of money 30 years from now if the world’s on fire. It’s our goal to bring in as much money as we can and give it away to worthy partners.” Picking up the state’s slack Don Moreland founded Solar Crowdsource in 2015 in reaction to Georgia’s rooftop and community solar policies. He observed community-
Solar Crowdsource holds a ribboncutting ceremony for its Solarize Atlanta community project for Quest Communities. Solar Crowdsource, Creative Solar USA
based Solarize campaigns taking place out west that didn’t rely on Department of Energy grant funding and wanted to start something similar in his state. “There was just a need for that in Georgia, because if we had net metering and community solar and state tax credits and an RPS and the RECs actually had value, then we might not have needed a Solarize program,” Moreland said. “This was an opportunity to provide another resource in the community and in the industry to do more volume and to provide more discounts and provide a forum where you can educate the public about the benefits of solar.” Moreland found that many Georgia communities don't have the resources to start a Solarize campaign, so Solar Crowdsource was founded to provide the technologies and services needed to get these programs started. Solar Crowdsource campaigns start by forming coalitions with nonprofits in a community. Then a steering committee is developed to find funding. The campaign runs for four to six months, and in that time, Solar Crowdsource runs public outreach and education and fields competitive bids for the job. After the RFP process, the contractor is selected through a vote by committee members. Participating residents get group pricing discounts and a free system evaluation.
“I think there was room in the market for a trusted third party that could engage with a community and go through the request for proposals process and have the credibility to select a contractor," he said. Solar Crowdsource has organized 12 campaigns in Georgia, resulting in 650 solar and storage installations, or 4.6 MW of solar capacity and 1.9 MWh of energy storage, or about half of the state’s residential solar output. With each campaign, Solar Crowdsource tries to donate a solar system to a nonprofit in the selected community. Contractors applying for the Solarize campaign disclose how much of their revenue will go toward the donated system. The amount they’re willing to donate definitely factors into contractor selection, Moreland said. “The contractor, their revenue with these programs can be in the millions of dollars. A percentage of that is small in comparison,” Moreland said. A recently donated system was for the MLK Service Project in Solar Crowdsource’s Solarize Decatur-Dekalb campaign. The MLK Service Project serves senior citizens living in a gentrifying neighborhood on a fixed income, and the addition of the solar system is reducing their energy bills. Philanthropy takes many forms, and while any addition of solar is valuable, it can have more immediate impacts for certain populations that cannot afford it. SPW
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BILLY LUDT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Philadelphia
architecture firm
installs wild solar project
to maximize onsite power production Solar
systems are predominantly installed on rooftops in urban settings, where open land is scarce but multi-level buildings are aplenty. Often, the roof space on these structures isn’t large enough to host solar systems that can cover a building’s entire energy footprint, so they’re supplemented with renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by out-ofcity solar systems. Onion Flats, an architecture firm, wanted to buck that trend and maximize PV output without having to subscribe to RECs on its Front Flats apartment building project in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The solution was
installing solar panels on the roof, as well as on the majority of the east-, west- and south-facing walls of the building. In total, the solar system generates 176 kW, which is more than the Front Flats needs — and that’s by design. Like an onion, Front Flats has layers Being in a state and city not known for solar incentives, the Front Flats project is an anomaly, both in appearance and size. “I wouldn’t call this a solar city,” said Tim McDonald, CEO of Onion Flats. “The renewable energy credits in Pennsylvania suck, but you go across the bridge to New Jersey and it’s a different world. There’s not a real incentive financially to push it. We push it because we think that’s where we need to be.”
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From the second story up, the 28-unit apartment building’s windows are slightly obscured by bifacial solar panels protruding from its exterior walls. Those vertical panels on the east, west and south façades meet the horizontal modules held by canopy supports on the roof. Tenants have rooftop access, where shade gardens are planted, and McDonald said the bifacial module shell still allows natural light into the building and offers additional visual privacy. Onion Flats’ leadership is composed of brothers Tim, Patrick and Johnny McDonald and architect Howard Steinberg. The company handles development, design and construction of its projects, working alongside subcontractors, and owns the service GRASS (Green Roofs And Solar Systems) that installs PV and gardens on rooftops. The design-build firm has made solar part of its new construction projects, previously only including functional spaces around PV like the Front Flats roof canopy, but never at this scale or panel orientation. To ensure a project of this scope was installed correctly, Onion Flats brought on longtime solar industry member and collaborator Ron Celentano of Celentano Energy Services as a consultant. “These guys are crazy — I love them,” Celentano said. “They’re techs and they’re out there doing their own building. They just go wherever and just wait for the ramifications.” The vertically mounted solar panels are attached to rails that are on angled aluminum brackets — both specifically fabricated for the project — bolted into the exterior walls, extending the
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All photos courtesy of Onion Flats
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building’s façade by 24 inches. The sub-structure holding the array in place is bolted into Boral composite planks, a cementitious material. “The façade that holds all the rails away from the wall, you’re getting in and climbing around this complete stratus of aluminum, climbing between the walls and the modules,” Celentano said. Depending on the obstacles presented by the city block, installers used scissor and articulating boom lifts to move along and fasten the brackets to the building’s exterior. A high-tension electrical line is 6 ft from the west-facing panels, and an elevated train track runs along the east side of the building. “Learning curves were definitely happening as we went,” Celentano said. “We were using suction cups initially to lift the glass up, but after having a few of those things down, it was amazing how fast it moved.” The greater issue for Onion Flats was finding a solar panel supplier. The system was designed with Germany's AE Solar bifacial modules in mind, but when that transaction fell through, the firm had to find an alternative. The Front Flats array instead uses Prism Solar Technologies bifacial modules, which are made in America. The frameless panels are held in place vertically with two clamps on both the top and bottom edges, and each clamp is backed by a square support
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on the racking. Mounting panels in succession vertically means the bottom clamp is taking all the weight, Celentano said, so to prevent the glass from resting directly on metal, weather-protected gaskets were added. The canopy portion of the array stands 10 ft above the roof surface, the panels at a 5° angle. There is a 3/4-in. gap between each panel and several openings in the middle of the rooftop panels for additional light and airflow. Prior to installing any mounting structure, inverter and optimizer layout had to be mapped out. The system uses five SolarEdge inverters and optimizers attached to each module, meeting rapid shutdown requirements. Each string was directed onto a single plane. “You’re putting optimizers in places and you can’t get them easily afterward, Celentano said. “But I always felt pretty confident about the Front Flats project. Tim’s group has great support.” Generating more power than needed Since the Front Flats array layout isn’t typical, its generating capacity isn’t typical either. The east-facing wall produces well in the morning, but by the second half of the day, it drops down to 1 kW, Celentano said. But taking a cut from vertical angles and maximizing the number of panels on the building compensates for that loss, allowing the array to potentially produce more solar
power than it will need and net-meter the excess energy. Thanks to the solar project, Onion Flats charges its tenants a flat rate of $40 a month for utilities. The Front Flats started accepting tenants on January 1, 2020, with half of the rooms filled by March. Its solar system also came online at that time. Onion Flats won’t be able to gather accurate annual solar generation numbers until the summer of 2021. However, the architects and Celentano still expect the system to produce more energy than needed. Celentano said he understands those who might question why one would design a system like Onion Flats did. “But on the flipside, that’s what you need to do if you want to get enough solar to offset your usage,” he said. In addition to its massive solar system, the Front Flats was built to meet the Passive House Institute’s design standards — an airtight building envelope, insulation, double or triplepaned windows, balanced-heat and moisture-recovery ventilation and a lowimpact space conditioning system — to encourage greater energy efficiency. “I’m getting exhausted doing demonstration projects for other people to say, ‘Yeah, I can do this too,'” McDonald said. “If we don’t take buildings on and get them to a carbonneutral standard in 20 years, we’re all screwed.” SPW
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10/2/2020 10:00:38 AM
KELLY PICKEREL EDITOR IN CHIEF
how u.s.
solar panel manufacturing shook out in 2020
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www.solarpowerworldonline.com
As
we close out 2020, the solar industry prepares to enter its final scheduled year with tariffs on imported solar panels. The Trump administration repeatedly said the tariffs were imposed to re-energize U.S. solar manufacturing. And while we did get some significant capacity additions in 2019, market revitalization has petered out since. With two manufacturers closing shop and only one new entrant, the U.S. solar panel manufacturing industry actually lost 100 MW of production capacity in 2020 — all in thin-film technology. The crystallinesilicon market — which the tariffs aimed to prop up — was stagnant this year, but it will get a big boost in 2021 with a new cell and module manufacturer opening with gigawatt plans. In the meantime, here's a review of the domestic solar panel manufacturing market this year. And be sure to check out our full list (and map!) of U.S. producers online. Two U.S. closures: MiaSolé and Global Solar The U.S. solar market said goodbye to two CIGS thin-film manufacturers this year: MiaSolé (Santa Clara, California, 150 MW) and Global Solar (Tucson, Arizona, 50 MW). Although thin-film solar panels are not part of the tariff order, demand for the specialized modules will likely never match crystalline silicon's — produced domestically or not. Hanergy, the Chinese parent company of MiaSolé and Global Solar, began laying off American workers in late 2019 while production went into a "temporary shutdown to reduce costs." Many employees were furloughed through 2020, and PV Magazine reported that MiaSolé received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program that came about during COVID-19. It seems unlikely that either thin-film manufacturer will restart production. (A Global Solar flexible panel is pictured on this page.)
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Toledo Solar
2020's sole addition: Toledo Solar Toledo Solar has set up in the former Willard & Kelsey Solar Group building in Perrysburg, Ohio, to manufacture CdTe panels for the residential and commercial solar markets. Currently, Toledo Solar is operating on one shift and should be up to two by January 2021. Once three shifts are hired, the company will reach its 100MW production capacity. Aaron Bates, chairman of Toledo Solar owner Atlas Venture Group, said the manufacturer is already selling panels directly to installers and has found a good niche in the non-utility market. This also means it won't be competing with CdTe powerhouse First Solar. "We hold First Solar in a high regard. I'm a shareholder," Bates said. "We don't consider Toledo Solar to compete with First Solar. That's one of the decisions we made very early on. If we were going to investigate going into solar, we would only do it if there was a niche market we could service
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that would not compete with First Solar. They are utility-scale. Toledo Solar services the nonutility market in the United States." First Solar did recently announce it would start supplying the community and commercial solar markets with panels through distributors, but Toledo Solar specifically sees its panels making a home in residential rooftop projects. The company's frameless panel (similar in size to First Solar's Series 4 module: 600 mm x 1,200 mm and 115 W) is aesthetically different than traditional crystalline-silicon modules. Thin-film solar panels have better resistance to shading and lower degradation rates than crystalline silicon, so Toledo Solar could make a play for difficult installations and in warmer climates. Make sure to read an extended profile on Toledo Solar on the Solar Power World website. Big things on the horizon for 2021: Violet Power A brand-new solar company has announced a major addition to U.S. manufacturing with its gigawatt-production plans. Violet Power is setting up in a 600,000-sq.-ft facility across the
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If we were going to investigate going into solar, we would only do it if...we would not compete with First Solar.
street from REC Silicon in Moses Lake, Washington, and will have 500 MW of crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturing capacity by Q2 2021 with another 500 MW of full panel production by the end of next year. The plan is to eventually scale to 5 GW of production and 1,000 manufacturing employees. Once cells come off the line, Violet Power will be the only solar cell manufacturer in the United States, now that Panasonic has left the Buffalo, New York, facility it shared with Tesla. Violet Power's solar panels will use interdigitated back contact (IBC) technology licensed from ISC Konstanz in Germany along with a durable polyvinyl butyral (PVB) encapsulant. In addition, the IBC cell architecture will be paired with an aluminum flex circuit developed by SunFlex Solar out of Arizona. "The printed circuit board is a large sheet of foil that is bonded to the solar cell which allows for about 85% of the metal on the solar cell to be eliminated. Typically, those metal layers are expensive silver-based materials," said Violet Power CEO Charlie Gay. "So, we can take a lot of the cost out of the back-contact solar cell by substituting aluminum foil, which [also allows] the module to operate at a lower temperature. "The lower temperature will mean greater energy delivery, and it'll substantially extend the time of use in the field before folks begin to think about decommissioning or recycling," he continued. Violet Power panels are expected to come with a 50-year production warranty. For more on this new company, check out an extended profile on Violet Power on the Solar Power World website. SPW
Violet Power’s Washington facility (top) and SunFlex Solar co-founder Kate Fisher inspecting the embossed aluminum foil at the heart of Violet Power’s new module design (bottom).
KELSEY MISBRENER
SENIOR EDITOR
An installer’s guide to full solar array rapid shutdown devices on the market The 2020 fire season has been California's worst ever, in part due to the lower precipitation and hotter summers brought on by a changing climate. Rooftop solar aims to be part of the climate solution. The importance of the 2017 National Electric Code’s requirement that rooftop solar projects be rapidly shut down in case of a fire or other emergency has now become clearer than ever. "This is our third or fourth fire season here on the West Coast, and with California being such a hotbed for solar installations, I'm certain there's going to be more scrutiny on all products and fire safety, especially where rooftops and homes are concerned," said Tara Doyle, CTO of PV Evolution Labs (PVEL). An increasing number of manufacturers are bringing full solar system rapid shutdown devices (RSD) to market, so installers now have multiple choices when it comes time to choose this small but increasingly important part of solar systems in California and beyond. "It's performing a critical function, trying to mitigate fire risk on rooftops," said Michael MillsPrice, head of inverter and energy storage business at PVEL. "Having multiple different manufacturers or technologies in the market for that allows flexibility and actually allows a lot of forward compatibility." PVEL has been testing RSDs in the lab for three years to evaluate their ability to function as intended and avoid nuisance tripping — cases where RSDs shut down when they weren't supposed to. Mills-Price said new entrants into the RSD market pave the way for continuous innovation and backup options in case one manufacturer leaves the market. The RSD market ranges from devices that solely perform rapid shutdown, to MLPE that also perform optimization functions, to full-fledged microinverters. "It's the role of complexity and additional functionality that really segregates the products in that market," Mills-Price said.
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Although the devices can vary widely, installers should review test reports to ensure rapid shutdown functionality before selecting the device they'll use, Doyle said. Mills-Price said test reports can help reassure installers these devices will last for their intended lifetimes, so installers don't have to repeatedly service the products. "Those costs add up significantly if they fail or if they're nuisance tripping or doing these other types of events where you're not getting the energy that you were expecting,” he said. “Those are the things that are really going to hamstring the industry. “Having that test report and really just that confidence that the product is going to meet its warranty life under the given conditions it's going to be installed in is imperative for installers,” he continued. Doyle said installers should also consider the inverter compatibility of the device they choose. If an inverter-specific RSD product fails in the field and is no longer being manufactured, installers want to be sure it can easily be replaced with a different device. Mills-Price said he hopes to see even more RSD options enter the market in the coming years as NEC 2017 is adopted by more states. He thinks eventually, rapid shutdown functionality could move all the way into the module — which will be especially important for jurisdictions adopting more stringent module-level rapid shutdown requirements. Here are the rapid shutdown options on the market today that satisfy NEC 2017. (Note: Microinverters also satisfy rapid shutdown requirements, but this list only includes standalone RSD options.) SPW
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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY
G enerac
A Psyst e ms
PWRzone •
• •
•
APsmart •
PWRzone consists of PV Links (Generac’s 2.5-kW optimizer) and SnapRS (a rapid shutdown switch). Proprietary system only works with Generac's PWRcell inverters. One PV Links optimizer manages between two and nine solar panels in what's termed a "power zone." Then, one SnapRS gets connected to each module. SnapRS is rugged, lightweight (about the size of a large chisel-tip Sharpie) and has just two connections. It requires no fasteners, no grounding and no QR code to register.
SMA
SunSpec Certified Rapid Shutdown Device (model JMS-F)
•
•
• •
•
•
•
• •
The APsmart package includes the rapid shutdown receiver and inverter-agnostic transmitter. The rapid shutdown unit is small and can be buckled to the module frame or applied to module backsheet using adhesive. Works well in bifacial applications because it doesn't block the underside of the module. Ideal for any new or existing string or central inverter systems. Lower minimum operating voltage (7.7 V), which means longer device operating period and more energy delivered. Can be installed in solar + storage applications.
SMA says the RSD features up to 50% fewer internal components than alternatives, resulting in greater lifetime reliability. Uses the existing DC lines between the inverter and PV array for power line communications. Technical support available from SMA's extensive O&M program. Inverter-agnostic.
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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY T ig o
TS4-A-F (Fire Safety)
Tigo's rapid shutdown solutions •
D e d i ca t e d RS D wit h o ne m o du le in pu t per u n it.
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TS4-A-2F (Fire Safety) D e d i ca t e d RS D wit h two m o du le in pu ts per u n it. No gro und wire re quire d .
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TS4-A-S (Safety) In c l u d e s ra p id s hut d own a nd mo n ito rin g .
Tigo says its RSDs work with the largest network of inverters and module types. Tigo works closely with many inverter partners to integrate its Rapid Shutdown System Transmitters into their inverters, which simplifies installation. Tigo's RSDs give customers the option to choose the other features they need in modulelevel power electronics.
TS4-A-O (Optimization) In c l u d e s ra p id s hut d own, o ptimizatio n a n d m o nit o ring.
ZERUN
S o l a r Ed g e
Zerun Rapid Shutdown Solution (Standalone)
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Power Optimizer •
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DC/DC converter connected to each module with built-in SafeDC feature. SafeDC automatically reduces module voltage to a safe level whenever the inverter or grid power is shut down (unless connected to a StorEdge inverter operating in backup mode). Inverter-agnostic.
Small, compact device can be installed on a module's backsheet with adhesive or mounted on the module frame using a metal bracket. Devices are duration-tested before shipment. Inverter-agnostic.
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INVERTER TECHNOLOGY
I M O Aut o mat i o n
RireRaptor •
• •
IMO Automation’s FireRaptor is a solidstate switch that doesn’t require powerline communications. RSD comes with a 20-year warranty and works with all inverter types. FireRaptor can automatically shut down if the temperature sensor on the device detects a rise above programmed trigger level.
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BILLY LUDT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Manufacturers transition to minimal-flashing solar roof mounts Aluminum and other metallic solar flashing requires installers to pry composite shingles up to slide the sealing roof attachment beneath. Depending on the condition of the roof covering, shingles can break in the prying process, leaving installers responsible for sourcing and replacing them. Back in 2012, solar roof mount manufacturer QuickBOLT (SolarRoofHook at the time) released a lag bolt-driven roof attachment by the same name with a rubber puck accessory dubbed Microflashing. The QuickBOLT product didn’t require a mechanical flashing — instead, it went straight through the shingle into the rafter. It uses roof sealant, Microflashing and the force from the driven lag to create a waterproof seal. At the same time, EJOT carried a lag bolt mount with a smaller washer, and Zep Solar offered an over-the-shingle mount that was acquired by SolarCity (and has been seen on recent Tesla installs). Jared Wiener, executive VP of QuickBOLT, said that it took until 2016 for Microflashing to catch on, and now the company has sold over 2 million units. Since then, several other manufacturers have released similar mounting solutions with smaller overall footprints that are flashingfree, use a chemical flashing or have minimal flashing when compared to the typical aluminum under-shingle solution. “That to me is fantastic. It’s a testament to the quality of the technology,” Wiener said. 28
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Reduced-flashing products Each of these over-the-shingle roof mount options have different individual components but require similar steps for installation. In most cases, it takes finding the rafter, drilling a pilot hole through the shingle, filling it with sealant and driving the lag bolt through. The shared attribute is no shingle-prying required. The mounting manufacturers with over-the-shingle roof mounts consulted for this story and their relevant products are as follows:
SunModo’s rafter and decking NanoMount models.
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SunModo released a flashing-free over-the-shingle mount called NanoMount this spring that comes in both rafter and decking models. The rafter NanoMount requires one lag bolt, while the decking model uses up to four. The bottom of the attachment has a silicon gasket that self-seals as the lag passes through it, requiring no pilot holes.
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Roof-Tech’s RT-MINI, RT-Apex and RT-AIR use a butyl tape on the rooffacing surface to “self-flash.” Each model is designed with four potential mounting points that can be used in both decking (four screws) and rafters (two screws). These mounts use stainless steel woodscrews as opposed to lag bolts.
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Unirac released FLASHLOC COMP in 2019, which is a two piece system — the mount and the lag bolt/washer. The installer fills a reservoir in the attachment with sealant after the lag bolt is driven until it expels from two vents, further sealing the penetration with a “chemical flashing.”
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SnapNrack just brought its SpeedSeal Track and Foot to the market in October. SpeedSeal Foot is compatible with the company’s Ultra Rail Roof Mount series and the Track with the RL-U Roof Mount. SpeedSeal has an EPDM compressible ring that is filled with sealant through a pilot hole. When driven, it creates a seal.
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And QuickBOLT, whose Microflashing set the course. The company is soon releasing Deck Mount, a T-foot over-theshingle mount with four lag screw points and a silicon adhesive bottom for comp shingle decking attachment.
Each product has run the gamut of waterproofing and wind and weatherization testing, but aluminum or mechanical flashing remains a common practice in solar roof mounts. “In most places, it’s been accepted by AHJs, but there are still hang-ups,” said Connor Morrison, product manager for Unirac, about minimal flashing products. “Naturally, that’s an old-school way of thinking.”
Unirac Flashloc.
QuickBOLT with Microflashing.
Designed with installer in mind These minimal roof mounts with smaller overall footprints match the necessary number of attachments to hold a rooftop solar array as those using mechanical flashing. And every component required to install them can often fit in one box, meaning fewer trips down the ladder for installers. John Ferreira, training analyst in operations training for Sunrun, has been installing solar since 2012. He found that in colder conditions, the sealant used with
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Roof-Tech RT-APEX.
SnapNrack SpeedSeal.
mechanical flashing would often freeze. The company recently started working with SnapNrack’s SpeedSeal and other over-the-shingle mounts and found that sealant freezing wasn’t an issue given the speed to install. The fewer materials in over-the-shingle roof mounts can also mean less investment for installers, and many come with 25-year warranties. “I do believe it’s important to note that all we’re trying to do here is help the solar industry,” QuickBOLT’s Wiener said. “Our job is making solar more affordable, and I personally want to see the solar industry grow in the United States. In a way, that allows people to get over the biggest hurdle.” Special installation considerations When using these Microflashing-style mounts, installers should take extra care to find the rafter. One advantage of mechanical flashing is a larger surface area and more room for error with mis-drilled pilot holes. Another concern is the materials used in certain products can be incompatible with composition shingles. EPDM rubber is chemically incompatible with asphalt, a major ingredient in comp shingle rooftops. These products can come with a sealant solution included in the mounting kit, but in case they don’t, it’s recommended to look for one that can work on multiple substrates and climates; and that the sealant has a history of prior roofing applications. Despite the few extra considerations, minimal-flashing options can help installers do their jobs quicker and lessen the possibility of damage to shingles during installation. “I think that the mechanical- or flashing-less installations are the way of the future,” SunRun's Ferreira said. “I would be upset if I was an installer and had to go back to mechanical flashing, that’s for sure.” SPW 30
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I do believe it’s important to note that all we’re trying to do here is help the solar industry. Our job is making solar more affordable, and I personally want to see the solar industry grow in the United States. In a way, that allows people to get over the biggest hurdle.
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KELLY PICKEREL EDITOR IN CHIEF
Smart circuits hold the key to true whole-home backup With the advancements of the Internet of Things and whole-home automation, it is surprising that easy management of energy storage systems isn't included in the equation. When a homeowner hooks up a battery, typically only a few circuits are rewired for energy backup. The bedroom lights may not get that emergency power, but at least the refrigerator and air conditioner are still running. This tends to be the biggest education hurdle for installation companies — explaining that the lithium batteries on the market can't actually provide whole-home backup. Morgan Brawner, VP of business development at SunPower by esaSolar, said this conversation is often challenging for the
Central Florida installer. Many customers are interested in storage for hurricaneinduced grid outages, and they believe one Tesla Powerwall will provide power for the whole home. "Energy storage is not a commodity that can just be quickly added as a line item and forgotten about," he said. "It takes some real conversations about how much you can power with one battery. We use a 'final configuration' document when we complete our engineering package that our customers sign that clearly states which circuits we are backing up to ensure there are no surprises on the day of installation." New generation electrical panels and smart circuits can change that
conversation. Instead of only backing up a few loads through a protected loads panel, smart circuits and energy management software allow for load toggling — someone can stop supporting the air conditioner for a little while to instead turn on some lights. That ability to choose or automate which circuits to support with energy storage is a major selling point of the hardware/software combo of Lumin. A physical box installed next to a home's electrical panel, Lumin allows for wholehome backup (on varying schedules) by making all circuits smart. Through an app, system owners can manage their
Span Smart Panel
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energy usage and protect their batteries from prematurely running out of juice. SunPower by esaSolar has installed Lumin on about one-quarter of its battery projects and expects that number to climb as the storage market continues to grow. Brawner described Lumin as a "game changer" for homeowners to better connect the monitoring experience with real-time usage behavior. Rather than just monitoring the battery, Lumin can actually manage use. "I think the future of PV and energy storage will involve a lot more innovations in smart energy management to provide better transparency to energy behavior trends and home energy use," he said. Lumin launched in 2016 as a way to advance the adoption of green energy by improving the technology of tried-and-true breaker panels. Instead of replacing the home's breaker panel with a brand new configuration, Lumin is a simple add-on that works with any battery brand and electrical panel, said company co-founder and CCO Kevin O'Shea. "Replacing an existing breaker panel with an entirely new one is very costly in terms of time and labor before you even add on the cost of the product itself," he said.
Lumin app
"Our approach allows us to meet the market demand for smart and responsive load control without that large upfront cost." Another product in the nascent smart circuit market is Span's electrical panel. Unlike Lumin, the Span Smart Panel replaces the traditional circuit breaker panel to become the primary energy and control hub for a home. Instead of juggling the upkeep of two boxes, Span makes all circuits smart at their source. Launched in select markets in 2019, Span provides smart customization for 32 circuits. When power goes out, the Span Smart Panel isolates the house and allows the customer to control important loads via a smartphone app. Span, which is led by executives and engineers previously with Tesla, Amazon and Sunrun, has established relationships with LG Chem and Panasonic, with the battery companies offering Span as a packaged deal. “Self-sufficiency and control within the home are top of mind for many homeowners with power outage concerns now compounded by coronavirus shelter-in-place orders,” said Span founder and CEO Arch Rao in a press release. “Last fall, power outages affected millions in California, and shutoffs are starting again as utilities perform precautionary maintenance in fire-risk A Lumin installation with a SimpliPhi energy storage system. areas. We developed the Span smart panel to give homeowners
the future of PV and energy storage will involve a lot more innovations in smart energy management to provide better transparency to energy behavior trends and home energy use.
Sigora Solar
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greater energy independence in the face of these growing challenges. With Span, they have greater control over their home energy, especially when they need it most.” While it's true that battery companies offer monitoring through their own apps, they don't give the user any control. A smart circuit setup can monitor charging levels while also providing load control. O'Shea said the Lumin system remains on "watch mode" to automatically govern loads. It makes sure the home's microgrid doesn’t prematurely run out of backup power or exceed the battery's output rating — something that many end-users don't give a second thought. "Imagine driving a car without a fuel gauge. What's more, the car starts driving itself whenever the power goes out, regardless of how much gas is in the tank," O'Shea said. "You just spent [upwards of] $20,000 on a battery backup system to make sure the car doesn't run out of gas. It really isn't acceptable to leave it up to chance whether or not that car runs out of gas, especially given that it starts itself and runs
A Lumin system with a Tesla Powerwall. ReVision Energy
automatically when the power goes out." O'Shea said it's the responsibility of energy management technology like Lumin's to protect customers from "running out of gas" unexpectedly or too quickly. Both Lumin and Span have met the UL standard for energy management equipment (UL 916), while Span also passes UL 67 as a regular electrical panel. The next hurdle for these smart circuit companies is wider market adoption. Brawner with esaSolar thinks that's only a matter of time. "For PV monitoring, homeowners want to see insights on if their system is producing power and if there are any issues. After a few months, it becomes like watching paint dry. For storage, the monitoring applications are very much the same," Brawner said. "That is the problem that Lumin solves. For a homeowner, the Lumin is providing real-time engaging information to bridge the gap between technical monitoring and home energy use." SPW
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REGIONAL
SOLAR POLICY REPORT
Market forces and falling component costs play a big part in solar growth, but the role of solar policy is not to be overlooked. Team SPW takes a deep dive into some pressing solar policy stories in every region of the United States in this special section, from the quest to open new community solar markets in the Northeast to a state figuring out what to do after hitting a solar funding cliff in the Midwest.
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REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
W H AT D O C OM M ON
RENEWABLE POLICY BUZZWORDS MEAN? Words matter when it comes to climate policy.
100% RENEWABLE ENERGY: WIND
SOLAR
HYDRO
BIOMASS GEOTHERMAL
All energy is from resources that restore themselves over a short period of time, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy.
100% CLEAN ENERGY: Energy resources that are considered “cleaner” than fossil fuels. Can include fossil fuels paired with carbon capture or nuclear power, which do not produce direct carbon dioxide emissions but carry other health and safety risks.
100% NET-ZERO OR 100% CARBON-NEUTRAL:
The amount of carbon dioxide emitted is equal to the amount of carbon-neutral energy (like solar or wind) that’s created or purchased.
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REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
S TAT E S W I T H
IREC
CLEAN ENERGY STATES
COMMUNITY SOLAR-ENABLING P O L I C I E S I N P L AC E S our ce : NREL
H O NO R R O L L
S our ce : T he Int er s t at e Renewable Ener g y Council
MOST AMBITIOUS CLEAN ENERGY GOALS: NEW YORK GROWING CLEAN ENERGY LEADER: COLORADO MOST CHARGED FOR STORAGE: MASSACHUSETTS
20 states and Washington, D.C., have passed some form of leglislation enabling community solar, either through statewide programs or the authorization of a limited number of pilot programs.
NASCENT MARKET POISED FOR CLEAN ENERGY GROWTH: VIRGINIA These programs vary in scope, but they generally all allow for some form of virtual net metering so that subscribers can benefit from their community solar subscriptions.
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REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
S TAT E R E N E WA B L E
PORTFOLIO STANDARDS AND G OA L S
More than half of U.S. states mandate that a percentage of retail electricity sales be supplied with renewable electricity.
S our ce : T he Nat ional Conf er ence of S t at e L egislat or s ( NC SL)
15% RPS BY 2020
States and territories with Renewable Portfolio Standards 18% RPS BY 2020/21 30% RPS BY 2020
MARYLAND 30.5% BY 2020 20% RPS BY 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20% BY 2020
States and territories with no standard or target
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 25% BY 2020
HAWAII 30% BY 2020
States and territories with a voluntary renewable energy standard or target
S TAT E S & T E R R I T OR I E S W I T H
2020 RPS GOALS S our ce : NC SL
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Colorado: 30% RPS by 2020 Kansas: 20% renewable goal by 2020 Washington: 15% RPS by 2020 Hawaii: 30% target by 2020
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Maryland: 30.5% target by 2020 Pennsylvania: 18% RPS by 2020-2021 Washington, D.C.: 20% target by 2020 U.S. Virgin Islands: 25% target by 2020
*S ome s t at es mus t meet specif ic t ar g et s t his year w it hin long er RP S schedules .
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REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
A Standard Solar community solar project in New York.
COMMUNITY SOLAR LEGISLATION OPENS NEW MARKETS IN THE NORTHEAST B Y K E L S E Y M I S B R E N E R • S E N I O R E D I TO R
COVID-19
has forced many Americans to be at home more than usual. Electric panel monitoring hardware provider Sense found that home energy demand increased 22% since the pandemic started. This correlated with a typical utility bill increase of $22 to $25 or even higher in states with steeper utility rates. One way for renters and homeowners alike to lower electric bills is by subscribing to community solar projects, but this unique solar option is largely dependent on state policy. Only 20 states currently have legislation on the books allowing for community solar development. 38
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The Northeast is home to a number of these states, with Massachusetts and New York boasting 436 MWAC and 243 MWAC of community solar power, respectively. Rhode Island has a state-run website to expand residents' access to community solar and New Jersey, Maryland and Maine passed legislation allowing for community solar in the last few years. Pennsylvania is next on the list. "The urgency couldn't be clearer because you've got a state like Pennsylvania, with high unemployment, you've got citizens who are struggling right now financially," said Matt Hargarten, public affairs director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA).
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"Community solar projects, when they open up, get fully subscribed almost immediately and it's because they help people save money immediately on their bill." Hargarten said community solar is an important option for residents because there's no long-term commitments and subscribing actually makes electric bills lower, unlike many utility "green tariff " programs that charge residents a premium for opting-in to renewables. It's not surprising that the notion of expanding large solar projects hasn't already caught on in Pennsylvania. It was the third-largest coal-producing state in 2018 and is the third-largest net supplier
REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
Paul Mason (third from left) is a farmer in Eastern Pennsylvania and member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau who is advocating for the passage of community solar in the state.
underneath panels or using pollinator plants as solar groundcover. "It's no secret that farming has been going through a tough time over the past couple of years because of commodity prices and some other factors. For farmers that have the ability to use maybe some of their marginal farming ground or their building roofs or other land for a purpose like this and get a consistent yearly lease payment, that's going to help the long-term economic viability of that farm," he said.
of energy to other states, after Wyoming and Texas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But gradually, solar has become more appealing to both parties in the state legislature, which holds the keys to community solar. "It's become almost a domino effect of states wanting the jobs, realizing that this can be really good for their constituents and that there's strong customer demand," Hargarten said. Pennsylvania's community solar bill HB531 is sponsored by Republican Rep. Aaron D. Kaufer, who has been persistent in moving this legislation, according to Tony Clifford, chief development officer for developer Standard Solar. A COVID-related scandal in May caused Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mike Turzai to step down and be replaced by a representative who finally allowed community solar legislation to go to the floor. "If we get it out of the House, we can get this thing passed this year," Clifford said. "It is absolutely huge and it's been a long slog, especially [for] the folks who have been in this from the beginning." He thinks COVID has given the legislature even more reason to pass the community solar bill.
"If you're facing a $6 billion deficit and you've got the opportunity to bring in a few billion dollars’ worth of investment over the next couple years, that's going to help with your tax base and it's going to help with your employment base," Clifford said. This bill has also garnered support from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. "For a number of years, our farmers have supported homegrown energy within Pennsylvania, within the nation, and that could be solar or wind generation, natural gas exploration, all of those types of things," said Darrin Youker, director of state government affairs for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Community solar sparked group members' interests as an additional income stream after the tax incentives they previously used to build solar projects on their land are no longer available. Youker said farmers like the fact that solar energy generation is not permanent infrastructure and can be removed at the end of its lifespan; so that land can be farmed again. They also like the option of incorporating a dualuse solar project onto agricultural land, whether it's grazing animals
Lessons from leaders After Pennsylvania passes the initial community solar legislation, much work remains to be done. The state can look to northeastern neighbor Massachusetts for advice. "Massachusetts has been a solar success story in a lot of ways, and the industry is proud of the role that Massachusetts has played in pioneering local solar and community solar in particular," said Erika Niedowski, northeast director of the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA). The state passed legislation opening its community solar market in 2013. Seven years and multiple iterations of solar energy policy plans later, Massachusetts is working on strengthening its community solar market and ensuring it remains successful. The discussion now is around smart solar siting. Massachusetts wants to Leslie Elder, CCSA’s Mid-Atlantic Director, testifying at the community solar hearing in Pennsylvania.
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It's very important to have that pathway laid out and to understand fully the necessity of local solar in reaching climate goals as part of an overall portfolio of climate action.
ensure there's a balanced policy that allows the state to meet its clean energy goals through local solar, while also protecting the most valuable land, Niedowski said. She encouraged states with nascent community solar markets to make sure the right stakeholders are at the table to have conversations around siting and other issues that will come up later in the community solar planning process. The second lesson Niedowski said other Northeast states can learn from Massachusetts is to codify the role of community solar and rooftop solar in reaching state climate targets.
"It's very important to have that pathway laid out and to understand fully the necessity of local solar in reaching climate goals as part of an overall portfolio of climate action," she said. The third lesson for states to keep in mind with community solar policy planning is to work with utilities to determine how to plan for high volumes of solar interconnection. Niedowski said it's crucial for utilities to efficiently study solar projects and process applications in a timely fashion. Still, most important of all for states like Pennsylvania is passing that market-opening
legislation in the first place. Then they can follow the lead of other states that had to blaze the path. "Hopefully, they'll get over the finish line and have to deal with the implementation issues, because there are a lot of models where we have more mature markets that have gone through some of the growing pains but are coming out stronger for it," Niedowski said. SPW Editor’s note: Erika Niedowski died unexpectedly on October 2, 2020. The Coalition for Community Solar Access is asking for donations to the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island in her memory.
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ILLINOIS SPARKED A SOLAR BOOM — THEN IT RAN OUT OF MONEY B Y K E L LY P I C K E R E L • E D I TO R I N C H I E F
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solar market in Illinois imitates many in the Midwest — very middle of the pack. Ranked 28th in the nation for installed solar capacity, Illinois does have well intentioned solar legislation but the follow-through has been less than exemplary. In 2016, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) which propped-up Illinois' renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 25% by 2025 by providing over $200 million in annual funding for renewable resources. Solar project developers seeking renewable energy credits (RECs) now apply for funding through the Adjustable Block Program (ABP). The ABP offers a set price for RECs in three categories — small
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DG, large DG and community solar. The goal for the ABP was to have enough contracts to result in 1 million credits being delivered annually by 2021, which would spur 666 MW of new PV generation in the state. The problem? Illinois underestimated the interest companies would have in building solar projects in the state. Illinois went from around 12.9 MW installed annually in 2017 to 106 MW in 2019. Over 800 community solar projects were waitlisted as early as 2018, with the large DG project category of the ABP reaching its capacity in early 2020 — there is no more funding or RECs to dole out. FEJA was successful in stimulating a stagnant solar market, but now its popularity is threatening to bring a burgeoning industry to a stand-still. As soon as projects began stalling out, a group of trade organizations, local solar installers and policymakers formed the Path to 100 Coalition to bring awareness to the threats against the renewable energy industry. “If I had to pinpoint the most immediate concern for the industry, it would be addressing the funding cliff in Illinois. It’s something that we have been calling to the attention of stakeholders in Illinois for some time,” said Nakhia Morrissette, central region director for SEIA and spokesperson for the Path
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to 100 Coalition. “Our industry is losing quite a bit of jobs. Illinois companies are getting to the point where they have to make a decision about whether the market here is sustainable.” SunVest is one of those companies. Although headquartered in neighboring Wisconsin, the commercial solar developer took advantage of FEJA opening the Illinois DG and community solar markets and now has a team in the state. Tim Polz, senior VP of development, said that SunVest developed and constructed nearly 10 MW of large DG projects in Illinois last year and has 105 community solar projects developed and submitted to the ABP. Only 10 of those projects received REC contracts. “Without credit contracts, it would be difficult to realize the same uptake from customers because the cost of doing so to the end user would be much higher,” Polz said. “We are constructing many of the projects that were awarded REC contracts through the initial procurement under the Adjustable Block Program. Looking forward to 2021, we have shifted resources from Illinois to other markets simply because we don’t know whether or not there will be opportunities for us to build out solar projects here in Illinois.”
SunVest
If I had to pinpoint the most immediate concern for the industry, it would be addressing the funding cliff in Illinois. It’s something that we have been calling to the attention of stakeholders in Illinois for some time. There have been some moves to fix the situation. With Path to 100 Coalition input, the Path to 100 Act was introduced in both the House and Senate in 2019 to expand the state’s RPS to 40% by 2030 and ensure sufficient funds to reach the new goal. Although not yet passed, the goals in the Path to 100 Act already have the support of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who had campaigned on 100% clean energy. “It’s a pretty big deal that Gov. Pritzker is taking the lead on what energy legislation would look like,” said Peter Gray, spokesperson for the Illinois Solar Energy Association and the Path to 100 Coalition. “That kind of leadership that 1 1 • 2020
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is looking to be fair across industries and benefit solar companies small and large — that’s something that’s going to benefit Illinois and has been lacking in previous administrations.” To give a push to legislators, Gov. Pritzker released in Aug. 2020 eight principles to guide energy reform. Principle 3 specifically proposed to make Illinois a renewable energy leader by: • Working toward 100% clean energy by 2050 • Creating new net-metering credits • Removing barriers to solar development • Creating a community solar structure that values efficiency instead of lowcost land • Improving the permitting process
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We have been in contact with various legislators over the last year to let them know that this cliff is coming... hopefully we’ll be able to provide a solution before the cliff arrives.
Improving interconnection methodology • Facilitating energy storage deployment The governor’s office has convened working groups to help shape legislation for passage during this fall’s veto session. Fixing those funding gaps that are currently preventing projects from being built and potentially threatening renewable energy jobs is of top concern. The Path to 100 Coalition is taking its cues from the governor’s office and is currently helping with the working groups. But everything is on an accelerated timetable — funding is already running dry
and the Illinois General Assembly Veto Session lasts just two weeks in November and December. If nothing is passed, the Illinois solar market in 2021 could be a ghost town. “Illinois in 2007 [established] a 25% by 2025 RPS. We’re now getting the functional pieces in place to really start to reach that goal. We’re seeing that we can do it: We can build renewables fast that customers want,” Morrissette said.
All photos courtesy of SunVest
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“Those goals are achievable, but putting the mechanisms in place that really work for businesses to build and customers to buy is critical.” Companies like SunVest must now just wait and see what happens.. “We have been in contact with various legislators over the last year to let them know that this cliff is coming,” Polz said. “I don’t know what [Illinois] could have done better other than to better anticipate the interest in the program and provide for a mechanism to continue funding and continue available capacity from the start. That’s what we’re trying to do now, and hopefully we’ll be able to provide a solution before the cliff arrives.” SPW
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VIRGINIA CHARTS THE FIRST CARBONFREE POLICY PATH IN THE SOUTH — SOLAR’S ROLE STILL TBD B Y K E L LY P I C K E R E L • E D I TO R I N C H I E F
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doesn't go unnoticed when a Southern state takes a stand on clean energy. But saying you're supportive of renewable energy standards and carbon-free electricity is much different than actually making it happen, as Virginia is beginning to take steps to accomplish. In April 2020, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). In addition to energy efficiency pilot programs, an expansion of net metering and energy storage goals, the state's two utilities are expected to source 100% carbon-free 46
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electricity (Dominion Energy by 2045 and Appalachian Power by 2050). All coal-fired plants must also close by the end of 2024. Now begins the process of determining how the requirements of the VCEA will be met — and the big question from many residential solar installers is how much their business fits into the equation. After all, Virginia's 100% goal is for carbon-free electricity, not necessarily from renewable energy sources or solar specifically. Dominion already produces a significant portion of its electricity from four nuclear plants and intends to continue
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its use of natural gas. The utility does have plans for the country's largest offshore wind project (2.6 GW), but only 1% of Dominion's power must come from DG/rooftop solar under the VCEA. "We're happy to see rooftop solar being part of the RPS, but it is an extremely small carveout. There's a lot more work to be done there to make sure it's a more significant part of the RPS. But this is a step in the right direction," said Rachel Smucker, Virginia policy and development manager for advocacy group MDV-SEIA.
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REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT most is cutting through the red tape around permitting. "The solar industry is advocating for more streamlined processes particularly with permitting and interconnection," Smucker said. "These two processes have a huge impact on construction timelines, which we know can often determine whether a project is economic and is actually going to get built. We are working to refine those processes with a number of stakeholders." Many in-state installers are making sure their voices are heard. As Sigora Solar’s Loeb said, “All clean energy is dictated by policy. That is why we are actively engaged in the dockets at the State Corporation Commission to ensure the implementation of the various pieces of clean energy legislation create the Ipsun Solar most competitive market possible, especially for distributed generation providers. We believe if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” Residential installer Ipsun Solar has been vocal on permitting issues, with co-founder and VP Joe Marhamati describing some counties as "stuck in the last century on paperwork, bureaucracy and their core understanding of solar." That's why the SCC will hopefully listen to the right stakeholders to make sure the VCEA's goals are attainable. "Our commission is going to be crucial for the next year as we turn to the implementation process of this bill. They're there to regulate, and the success of the VCEA will really rely on proper implementation and whether that meets the legislative intent of the bill," Smucker said. Ipsun Solar
All clean energy is dictated by policy...If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.
Karla Loeb, chief policy and development officer for installer Sigora Solar and the DG policy chair for MDV-SEIA, also commented that the real work is now just beginning to ensure the state meets its lofty goals. “Is the legislation perfect? Absolutely not,” she said. “A bunch of dockets have been started at the State Corporation Commission on the implementation of the VCEA because legislation passage in isolation doesn’t create markets, you need good rules to make the market work. And, that happens at the Commission.” The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) spent the summer establishing workgroups to determine regulations that achieve VCEA-outlined goals. In addition to the carbon-free electricity requirements, the Act must also shape energy efficiency standards, how to scale-up offshore wind, where to construct/ acquire 3.1 GW of energy storage capacity and how best to advance solar and DG. One area of focus that will benefit solar
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Ipsun Solar
Although the initial residential solar requirements aren't especially significant, that doesn't mean things can't change. "This is certainly not going to be the last piece of legislation that will shape the clean energy market in Virginia," Smucker said. "The distributed generation carveout is very small, and there are a lot more areas for growth. We are excited to take this first step but recognize that there's a long way to go." Ipsun Solar still sees only benefits coming from the VCEA for its residential business. "Having a 100% carbon-free electricity plan means not only that Virginia residents are demanding clean energy, but that those who may not have been paying attention are now aware that solar is far cheaper than fossil fuels," Marhamati said. "This means that the entire Virginia market is likely to be aware of and considering clean energy and backup power for their family, to reduce energy bills, provide resiliency during grid outages, add value to their home, and begin
the process of cleaning up the Virginia grid. We expect an exponential rise in the number of inquiries from Virginia residents on how they can own their own solar power as a result of this plan." Virginia joins California, Hawaii, Maine, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., on their journeys to 100% renewable or carbon-free electricity. As the South's guinea pig for 100% clean energy policy, Virginia may be a model for solar legislation in the region for years to come. "It is exciting to be the first Southern state to implement a clean energy standard. We hope Virginia will finally be seen as a leader in solar generation and forward development. I hope this will spur other states in the Southeast to head in this direction and become leaders themselves," Smucker said. "I don’t think we are quite in the ranks with California and Hawaii yet — they both have over 10% solar penetration, and we are nowhere near that. We are just at the cusp of realizing those economic gains.
Having a 100% carbonfree electricity plan means not only that Virginia residents are demanding clean energy, but that those who may not have been paying attention are now aware that solar is far cheaper than fossil fuels. We took a huge step almost overnight to have some of the most progressive clean energy policy in the nation, but we've got a number of building years ahead." SPW
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SOMAH
CALIFORNIA USES FOSSIL FUEL DOLLARS TO FUND SOLAR FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES B Y B I L LY L U DT • A S S O C I AT E E D I TO R
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technology’s pricing continues to trend downward, but the cost to go solar is still prohibitive for a large swath of Americans. Advanced solar market California has created programs to address energy inequity in disadvantaged communities — the places most affected by pollution and climate change. The state’s latest incentive recently marked one year in operation. The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program started in July 2019 and is responsible for a pipeline of 84 MW of new or planned solar 50
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construction in California’s investor-owned utility territories, targeting communities with low PV penetration. To compare, the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) program, a similar state incentive, has brought 41.9 MW of solar projects to the state since 2008. SOMAH is slated to run for 10 years and has an annual operating budget of up to $100 million from the state’s Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program. With that funding, SOMAH’s physical goal at the end of its lifecycle is to bring 300 MW of new solar to the state’s underserved www.solarpowerworldonline.com
communities, and ultimately reduce the cost of energy for those tenants. “Historically, solar has only been available for middle income and above,” said Jae Berg, program manager on the SOMAH administration team. “Our idea is to use these incentives to put solar on affordable housing and make sure these folks are able to have the same access to the renewable energy source.” As an added layer of administrative accountability, SOMAH looped in four community-based organizations to handle program outreach and solar education
REGIONAL SOLAR POLICY REPORT
in their respective communities. SOMAH also enlisted the help of industry groups like GRID Alternatives to ensure there is a job creation opportunity with every install. “Driving direct economic benefits for the tenants, virtual net metering — we want to create jobs through the job training requirements and provide direct assistance to disadvantaged communities,” said Berg. Creating onsite solar jobs To further stimulate economic growth in these communities, SOMAH requires that each solar installation brings on one to two job trainees, depending on system size. Eligible trainees must be enrolled or recently graduated from a relevant solar training program, or live in the property where the system is being installed. SOMAH’s job training program has learned lessons from other state initiatives like the Low-Income Weatherization Program to achieve tandem goals of building improvements and workforce development. SOMAH encourages contractors to hire trainees locally and prioritize hiring those who are experiencing barriers to employment. Trainees are paid an entrylevel wage, or at least 1.4-times the local minimum wage, by the contractor. Each job guarantees 40 hours of paid training, and up to 80 hours if the system is above 100 kW. Trainees are placed in one of three positions: installation, design or project management. Although the SOMAH legislation didn’t set a target for job training, program administers have high expectations. “We’d like the see that number in the thousands, as well as see those trainees
get hired,” said Staci Hoell, workforce development manager with SOMAH. At the time of writing, SOMAH had applications from 200 eligible job trainees, with 48% of those coming from disadvantaged communities. The program has received 400 project applications, which translates to about 750 job opportunities. The program is currently engaging 80 active trainees. People interested in the training program enroll on SOMAH’s website and check a portal like other job listing sites. Delayed but promising start SOMAH is trying to encourage multifamily solar development through financial incentives for system owners and PV contractors alike. At least 51% of the renewable energy generated by SOMAH
Historically, solar has only been available for middle income and above. Our idea is to use these incentives to put solar on affordable housing and make sure these folks are able to have the same access to the renewable energy source.
SOMAH
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projects must be directed to the tenants, and their rent cannot increase in the process. The incentive grows depending on how much energy is directed toward tenants. Like most every other industry in the world, the emergence of COVID-19 delayed solar operations. The first round of SOMAH solar projects were slated to start construction in Q2 2020, but due to state shutdowns, installations were delayed. Still, SOMAH has continued receiving applications from contractors and multifamily property owners through the pandemic. More than a quarter of the multifamily installation projects in SOMAH’s current pipeline are based in overall disadvantaged communities, and 90% of the current projected capacity will benefit tenants directly. The planned arrays are primarily rooftop systems and some carports. SOMAH uses CalEnviroScreen, a program that illustrates pollution levels in California communities, as a framework to
determine which projects are high-priority, and is advised by its community partners about where to focus on developing new solar. “There’s a restorative justice aspect to SOMAH,” said Chris Walker, program director with Grid Alternatives and program administrator for SOMAH. “On the one hand, we’re taking cap-and-trade dollars, and we’re applying them to communities that both contribute the least and see the worst effects of climate change and environmental racism, but there is also an irony in that.” When businesses had to shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a reduction in greenhouse gases produced by the industries governed by cap-andtrade and the revenues accompanying them. “We are keeping an eye on that to affect potential funding and it would not be, for instance, a just outcome if a temporary pause in the massive pollution that these communities have to face affects their ability to receive some
aspect of restorative justice through these program funds,” Walker said. Unexpected COVID effects aside, California’s dedication to bringing solar power to underserved communities is a forward-thinking model that can be used as a guide for other states with advanced solar markets. “Our community-based organizations really try to organize in those hotspots, not only because those communities are on the frontlines of climate and environmental racism, but because those communities also have the assets to solve those problems themselves,” Walker said. “Rather than parachuting in as this bureaucratic, quasi-state-funded effort, we try to the extent as possible to work with groups like our community-based organizations to keep their voices at the forefront, to not only to make sure the program is serving disadvantaged communities, but so that disadvantaged communities have a seat at the table in determining how the program should play out.” SPW
SOMAH
we’re taking cap-and-trade dollars, and we’re applying them to communities that both contribute the least and see the worst effects of climate change and environmental racism.
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OE S
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IN NEW MEXICO, MAKING SOLAR POLICY THAT BENEFITS ALL SECTORS REQUIRES A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH B Y K E L S E Y M I S B R E N E R • S E N I O R E D I TO R
BIG,
bold state renewable goals are impressive at first glance, but a closer look is necessary to see if they'll benefit all sectors of solar — or mostly just utilities. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Energy Transition Act (ETA) that aimed to position the state as a national leader in renewables in March 2019. The bill set a goal for investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives to use 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 80% by 2040, established guidelines for retiring uneconomic coal plants and 54
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carved out funds to help workers affected by fossil fuel plant closures. The state currently has three active coal plants — Escalante, San Juan and Four Corners, according to Greentech Media. All three are on track to close by 2031, with the first two scheduled to shut down in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Innovative requirements in the ETA led to a first-of-its-kind energy transition for one of the coal plants. Since the San Juan Generating Station was to close, its power generation had to be replaced. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission www.solarpowerworldonline.com
provided all stakeholders access to the modeling platforms showcasing the replacement options. "This is something that was really kind of unique in my understanding, that it did allow a lot more participation in what the replacement resources would be," said Stephanie Dzur, attorney at law for the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, a group involved in the replacement case. "It really created an opportunity for interveners to dig below the [bids] that the utility selected and proposed and say, 'Well, look at this other, second tier of
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Affordable Solar
bids, and let's model those,'" said Cydney Beadles, senior staff attorney for Western Resource Advocates, another group involved in the case. The ETA requires the prioritization of coal replacement resources that have the lowest capital-to-fuel ratio and are sited in the affected community where coal plants are closed to keep tax dollars in the area, according to Pat O’Connell, senior policy analyst for Western Resource Advocates. After considering those factors, the winning replacement combination for the San Juan plant was solar + storage. The commission unanimously approved an allrenewable plan to replace the coal plant, and paved the way for the local utility to sign PPAs with solar providers to build 650 MW of solar paired with 300 MW of storage, according to the Albuquerque Journal. That massive solar investment will double the amount of renewable energy on the grid in New Mexico, Dzur said. One local utility-scale installer vying for a piece of the replacement portfolio is Affordable Solar. "The ETA provides a great mechanism for the advancement of utility-scale solar in the state, with very specific targets that are both aggressive and obtainable," said Ryan Centerwall, CEO of Affordable Solar. "We
The ETA provides a great mechanism for the advancement of utility-scale solar in the state, with very specific targets that are both aggressive and obtainable. expect to see a lot of development over the next few years." The increase in solar projects will mean a need for more workers, so the ETA carved out funds for solar workforce development to be distributed by state agencies. Affordable Solar is already separately working on plans to train workers needed to get these jobs done. "We see there being a tremendous requirement for training in order to fulfill the Energy Transition Act and the projects that would come with it because it is going to result in a significantly larger workforce requirement for utility-scale solar," Centerwall said.
Although Affordable Solar hasn't applied for ETA funds yet, the company is building a four-year solar technician apprenticeship program that will prepare workers to get involved in the utility-scale solar installation and O&M fields. Centerwall said he's hoping to collaborate with local technical colleges on the curriculum that will be a combination of classroom and on-the-job training. Centerwall hopes San Juan's renewable replacement will catch the attention of other states that are looking at retiring coal plants soon. "I hope that the states see that and say, 'Well, let's at least go through the exercise and figure out what this type of mechanism could look like for our portfolio of resources, and see if we can provide savings or even a 1 1 • 2020
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break-even or small impact to ratepayers, while achieving a cleaner portfolio,'" he said. Where's the DG love? While New Mexico's renewable expansion is great for the state's RPS and utility-scale solar installers, the ETA doesn't include any explicit benefits for the distributed generation sector. That's left one installer with a bad impression of the bill. "Honestly, it's kind of made it harder for us to get interconnections through the utilities, because they're trying to install more solar in their utility scale. So that way, they're trying to push back on the residential and the distributed generation," said Galina Kofchock, CFO of OE Solar, which installs primarily commercial and some residential solar projects. "Overall, the Energy Transition Act really hasn't seen anything good for us on the smaller end, it's just really been more of a battle with utilities for interconnections." Kofchock said it seems like every time state solar policy is handed down, it benefits utilities while pushing distributed solar to the side. Now with increased utility-scale solar procurement brought on
by the ETA, she feels it's a race against time until the utilities say their transmission lines can't handle any more solar — and ask for money from solar companies to foot the bill for expensive upgrades. If that scenario does happen, she said distributed solar installers like OE Solar would pivot to pushing battery sales to keep solar power behind the meter. "The worst part about solar is that we have to constantly be worried about legislation. If you were just a regular electrical contractor installing electrical, everyone needs electrical and they could pass five million different bills and you're going to still have your business at the end of the day," Kofchock said. "With solar, and from month to month or year to year or governor to governor, you're worried about, 'Is my business going to still be able to thrive?'" Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap to the rescue Chris Fortson, marketing manager for residential installer Positive Energy Solar, said he was glad to see more utility-scale solar planned in the ETA, but agreed the other sectors shouldn't be left out.
"We just want to see a healthy mix of some [solar] that is utility-owned but also the opportunity for communities and individuals to have a stake in that as well," he said. Fortson said another bill passed recently was just as important as the ETA to the state's renewable energy future. The Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap bill set in motion strategic planning to make necessary updates to the grid to accommodate more renewables. It also established a competitive grant program to support implementation of the updates. "Utilities coming up with ambitious goals for renewable energy or carbon-free energy production, that stuff is great, but there really does need to be a focus as well on the grid itself," Fortson said. New Mexico’s solar journey shows sometimes one bill can’t serve the whole industry. But together, the ETA’s boost for utility-scale solar and the Energy Grid Modernization Roadmap’s help in bringing utility lines up to date could benefit all sectors of the solar industry, from a small kilowatt-sized rooftop system to a massive megawatt utility solar project. SPW
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Positive Energy Solar
KELLY PICKEREL EDITOR IN CHIEF
CONTRACTORS CORNER:
AMERESCO As a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions company, Ameresco is dedicated to meeting its clients’ energy needs. From school districts to municipalities to healthcare customers, the company approaches each portfolio holistically to ensure load is reduced before suggesting distributed generation options. In this episode of the Contractors Corner podcast, Solar Power World editor-in-chief Kelly Pickerel talks with Dave Anderson, EVP and co-founder of Ameresco, about the company’s beginnings 20 years ago and how solar
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is just one piece of its energy solution puzzle. A portion of the interview follows, but be sure to listen to the full podcast for even more insight, including more about how customer needs have changed during COVID, how Ameresco approaches energy storage and international plans for the U.S. company. Find the Contractors Corner podcast on your favorite podcast app. How do you approach solar plans for multi-location clients? The K-12 market is a very large market for Ameresco. We approach it primarily from a comprehensive perspective.
www.solarpowerworldonline.com
We want to understand the district as a whole, how it uses its energy, what that energy cost is associated with that consumption and identify what systems can be retrofitted to provide newer innovative infrastructure to reduce their load. Once the load is reduced, we have a better understanding of what their requirements are, and then we try to couple solar or renewable solutions to that. That’s not to say that we don’t do standalone solar with some of those districts. We do. But many school districts have aging infrastructure and they have deferred maintenance where they were just never really able to address all those needs. We try to take a holistic approach to reduce their consumption first with new efficient
innovative technology and then apply distributed generation solar to those solutions. How does Ameresco get comfortable with emerging solar applications? We’ve done a significant amount of landfill projects, not only for solar. We’ve extracted methane gas from landfills, and we’re going back to many of those capped landfills and applying solar solutions. We are very proud of the technical depth and breadth we have in the organization. 70% of our staff are degreed engineers, so we can get comfortable pretty quickly with evaluating and employing some of these new technologies. We’ve been recently awarded a 1.1-MW floating PV system at Fort Bragg on the Big Muddy Lake. That’s another innovation that we try to leverage and take advantage of for our customers. Additionally, we have in Massachusetts a community solar project, 5 MW and 20 acres, where sheep do the grass mowing. It’s a good environmental solution. What are some trends you’re seeing in mid-sized solar? One of the effects of COVID is the tax base. Unemployment rates are so high, and the public sector in general is struggling. I think we’ll continue to struggle with securing appropriated funds in the short term. Having financial solutions that allow the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy and these more complex solutions not requiring any upfront capital on the part of the public sector and facilitating it on an off balance sheet, off credit basis is going to be very attractive to these municipalities. Community solar is one of those methodologies that will allow for a municipality to take advantage of some of this non-productive land, whether it’s a capped landfill or a pond, as a way to not impede or hold back its ability to save money and work toward its sustainability. SPW
COMMUNITY SOLAR IS ONE OF THOSE METHODOLOGIES THAT WILL ALLOW FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THIS NON-PRODUCTIVE LAND, WHETHER IT’S A CAPPED LANDFILL OR A POND. Podcast Alert! Listen to this and other Contractors Corner episodes on your favorite podcast app.
1 1 • 2020
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10,334
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10,175
6,956
8,951
0
0
0
0
0
0
6,956
8,951
3,026
1,028
0
0
0
0
196
176
3,222
1,204
10,178
10,155
156
21
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10/21/2020
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1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148 Solar Power World 2019.pdf Solar Power World 2019.pdf
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NO MUss. no Fuss. NO MUss. no Fuss. The first and only above-ground, The first andthat onlydoes above-ground, patent-pending system not require patent-pending system thattrenching, does not require combiner boxes or in-array and can combiner or in-array can offerboxes $avings in the trenching, field up to and 62.5% offer $avings in the field up to 62.5%
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1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148 1400 Shoals Way, Portland, TN 37148
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615.451.1400 615.451.1400
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sales@shoals.com sales@shoals.com
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